Ohio's most popular baby names in 1945

In the year 1945, the state of Ohio witnessed a significant increase in the number of babies born. As the world was recovering from the aftermath of World War II, families in Ohio welcomed their newborns with joy and hope for a better future. The most popular baby names of the year were a reflection of the times and the cultural values of the state. For baby girls, Mary, Linda, and Barbara topped the charts, while for baby boys, James, Robert, and John were the most popular choices. These names were not only fashionable but also carried significant meanings and cultural associations that were important to the families who chose them. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to explore the stories and trends behind these popular baby names and how they reflect the social and cultural context of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1945

In 1945, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Ohio, with a total of 2680 newborns receiving the name. Linda came in at a close second with 2223 babies given the name, followed by Barbara with 2020. Carol and Patricia rounded out the top five with 1850 and 1843 babies respectively receiving those names. These five names were all very popular choices for parents of baby girls in Ohio during that year.

Mary

2680 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Linda

2223 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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."
Barbara

2020 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Carol

1850 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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".
Patricia

1843 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Sandra
1500 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Sharon
1428 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Judith
1329 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
1328 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Nancy
1238 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Susan
1088 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Donna
962 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Judy
959 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Judy
Carolyn
872 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Janet
863 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Kathleen
825 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Margaret
760 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Shirley
751 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Joyce
749 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) 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
695 baby girls born in Ohio (1945) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1945

In 1945, the most popular baby boy names in Ohio were James, Robert, John, William, and Richard. James was the most popular name with 3975 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 3782 babies. John came in third with 3561 babies named John, while William and Richard rounded out the top five with 2694 and 2566 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time, as well as family traditions and personal preferences of parents.

James

3975 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

3782 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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

3561 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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

2694 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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

2566 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
2469 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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
2135 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Michael
1762 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Charles
1644 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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
1479 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
1436 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Larry
1434 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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
1353 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
992 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
941 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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
937 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Dennis
896 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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.
George
851 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Jerry
747 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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.
Edward
726 baby boys born in Ohio (1945) 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".