Ohio's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, the state of Ohio witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia emerged as the top three names for baby girls, while James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Ohio but also across the United States, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time. As a historian and expert on names, I have studied the historical significance of these names and their origins, shedding light on the cultural and social factors that influenced parents' choices. In this article, we will explore the historical context of these names, their meanings, and their enduring popularity in Ohio and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1941

Based on the data from Ohio in 1941, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Judith. Mary was the most popular name with 2722 occurrences, followed by Barbara with 2281 occurrences, Patricia with 2209 occurrences, Carol with 1913 occurrences, and Judith with 1700 occurrences. These names reflect the cultural and societal influences of the time, as well as the popularity of traditional and biblical names. It is interesting to note that these names have remained popular over the years and are still commonly used today.

Mary

2722 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Barbara

2281 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Patricia

2209 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Carol

1913 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Judith

1700 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Linda
1515 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Nancy
1488 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
1433 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Judy
1096 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Judy
Janet
1021 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carolyn
938 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Joyce
880 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Betty
848 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sharon
844 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Donna
823 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Shirley
813 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Karen
805 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Marilyn
681 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Margaret
667 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth
653 baby girls born in Ohio (1941) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1941

In Ohio, 1941, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, William, and Richard. James was the most popular name with 3676 babies given this name, followed closely by Robert with 3661 babies. John came in third with 3127 babies named after the biblical figure. William and Richard rounded out the top five with 2627 and 2395 babies given these names, respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming conventions of the time, with biblical and royal names being particularly popular choices for parents.

James

3676 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

3661 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
John

3127 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
William

2627 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Richard

2395 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
2334 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Thomas
1745 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Ronald
1709 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1699 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Larry
1512 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Donald
1434 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
1036 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Paul
983 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Kenneth
977 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
973 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
George
905 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Michael
870 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Joseph
869 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
739 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Gerald
620 baby boys born in Ohio (1941) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.