Ohio's most popular baby names in 1947

In the year 1947, the state of Ohio witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Linda, Mary, and Barbara, while the top baby boy names were Robert, James, and John. These names were not only popular in Ohio but also across the United States during the post-World War II era. The reasons behind the popularity of these names are varied and complex, ranging from cultural and social influences to personal preferences and family traditions. As a historian and expert on names, I will delve deeper into the historical and cultural contexts of these names to shed light on their enduring popularity in Ohio and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1947

In 1947, the most popular baby girl name in Ohio was Linda, with a total of 5,885 babies being given that name. Mary came in second place with 3,563 babies named, followed by Barbara with 2,886 babies. Patricia and Sandra rounded out the top five with 2,866 and 2,322 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time, such as the post-World War II baby boom and the rise of Hollywood celebrities.

Linda

5885 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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."
Mary

3563 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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

2886 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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

2866 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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

2322 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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.
Carol
2264 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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".
Nancy
2052 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sharon
1997 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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
1964 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan
1924 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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
1574 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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.
Judith
1505 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Kathleen
1431 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
1146 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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".
Cheryl
1124 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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.
Judy
1105 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) named Judy
Janet
1068 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carolyn
1037 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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
1026 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) 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.
Margaret
972 baby girls born in Ohio (1947) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1947

In 1947, Ohio parents favored traditional and classic names for their baby boys. Robert was the most popular name with 5427 babies given this name. James came in a close second with 5311 babies named James. John was also a popular choice with 5256 babies given this name. David was the fourth most popular name with 4143 babies named David. Finally, William rounded out the top five with 3883 babies given this name. These names have remained popular over time and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Robert

5427 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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.
James

5311 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

5256 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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.
David

4143 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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.
William

3883 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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
3750 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Michael
3231 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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.
Thomas
3116 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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
2189 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
2170 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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.
Charles
2159 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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
2108 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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
1694 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
1477 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Dennis
1449 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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
1439 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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
1344 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
1139 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Edward
1115 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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".
George
1100 baby boys born in Ohio (1947) 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.