Ohio's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Ohio saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. According to historical records, the most popular baby girl names in Ohio during this time were Mary, Barbara, and Patricia, while the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, and John. These names were favored by parents across the state, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time. As a historian and expert on names, it's fascinating to explore the reasons behind the popularity of certain names during different periods in history. In the case of Ohio in 1942, these names may have been influenced by popular culture, religious traditions, or family naming customs. Regardless of their origins, these names continue to be beloved by many families today, serving as a link to the past and a symbol of the enduring power of tradition.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1942

In 1942, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Ohio with 3036 babies being given that name. Barbara was the second most popular with 2599 babies named Barbara. Patricia was the third most popular with 2208 babies named Patricia. Carol was the fourth most popular with 2137 babies named Carol. Linda was the fifth most popular with 2083 babies named Linda. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as family traditions and personal preferences of parents.

Mary

3036 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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

2599 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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

2208 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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

2137 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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".
Linda

2083 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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."
Sandra
1747 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Nancy
1714 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
1702 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sharon
1326 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Karen
1258 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carolyn
1141 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Judy
1136 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Judy
Janet
1057 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joyce
1054 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Donna
1028 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Betty
885 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Susan
811 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Shirley
810 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Margaret
790 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Marilyn
750 baby girls born in Ohio (1942) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1942

In Ohio in 1942, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, William, and Richard. James was the most popular name with 4295 babies given this name. Robert was a close second with 4134 babies named Robert. John was the third most popular name with 3618 babies given this name. William was the fourth most popular name with 3102 babies named William. Richard rounded out the top five with 2659 babies given this name. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

James

4295 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

4134 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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

3618 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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

3102 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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

2659 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
2549 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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
2216 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Charles
1939 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Ronald
1913 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
1628 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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
1537 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
1311 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Michael
1294 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Kenneth
1083 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
1042 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Joseph
1019 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jerry
967 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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
924 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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.
Edward
863 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) 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".
Dennis
861 baby boys born in Ohio (1942) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.