Ohio's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Ohio saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Linda, and Barbara were among the top choices for baby girls, while James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were not just popular in Ohio, but across the United States as well. Each of these names has a rich history and cultural significance, and they continue to be popular choices for parents today. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to explore the reasons behind the popularity of these names and how they have evolved over time.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1946

In Ohio, 1946, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 3333 babies given the name. Linda came in second with 2975 babies named Linda, followed by Barbara with 2593 babies. Patricia was the fourth most popular name with 2509 babies named Patricia, while Carol rounded out the top five with 2251 babies given the name. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time, such as the popularity of classic and traditional names like Mary and the influence of Hollywood stars like Linda Darnell and Barbara Stanwyck.

Mary

3333 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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

2975 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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

2593 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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

2509 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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

2251 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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".
Sandra
2035 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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
1939 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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
1834 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Nancy
1743 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Susan
1662 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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.
Judith
1437 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Donna
1247 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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.
Kathleen
1151 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Judy
1134 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Judy
Janet
1044 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Cheryl
942 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Carolyn
941 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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
888 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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.
Diane
875 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Shirley
862 baby girls born in Ohio (1946) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1946

In 1946, the most popular baby boy names in Ohio were James, Robert, John, Richard, and William. James was the most popular name with 4966 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 4872 babies. John came in third with 4403 babies named, followed by Richard with 3532 babies and William with 3357 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures of the time, as well as traditional family names.

James

4966 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

4872 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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

4403 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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.
Richard

3532 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

3357 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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.
David
3275 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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
2692 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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
2531 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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.
Ronald
2039 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1994 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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.
Gary
1870 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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
1656 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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
1561 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
1308 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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.
Paul
1276 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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
1237 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
1166 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
991 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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
893 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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
893 baby boys born in Ohio (1946) 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".