Oklahoma's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Oklahoma witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary emerged as the most favored name, followed by Barbara and Betty. These names were not only popular in Oklahoma but also across the United States during that time.

On the other hand, for baby boys, James was the most popular name in Oklahoma in 1940, followed by Jerry and Robert. These names were considered timeless classics and were widely used by parents across the state. The popularity of these names is a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Oklahoma in 1940

Based on the records of baby girl names in Oklahoma in 1940, Mary was the most popular name with 1042 instances. Following Mary were Barbara with 701 instances, Betty with 579 instances, Patricia with 518 instances, and Shirley with 473 instances. These names were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Oklahoma in 1940.

Mary

1042 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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

701 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Betty

579 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

518 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Shirley

473 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Linda
451 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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."
Carolyn
419 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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
313 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Carol
311 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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".
Wanda
311 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Nancy
278 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
270 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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
256 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Judy
256 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Judy
Patsy
248 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Patsy
The name Patsy is a diminutive form of the name Patricia or Patrick, which means "noble" or "patrician" in Latin. The name Patsy is commonly used as a nickname for someone with the full name Patricia or Patrick.
Margaret
225 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
217 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Dorothy
211 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Sharon
211 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Sandra
211 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Oklahoma in 1940

Based on the data from Oklahoma in 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, Jerry, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1090 occurrences, followed by Jerry with 799 occurrences. Robert, John, and Charles were also popular names with 730, 709, and 700 occurrences respectively. These names were likely chosen due to their traditional and timeless appeal, and their popularity may have been influenced by cultural and societal trends at the time.

James

1090 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jerry

799 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Robert

730 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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

709 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Charles

700 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Donald
627 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
521 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Billy
480 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
David
437 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Larry
396 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Richard
393 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
389 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Bobby
379 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jimmy
336 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Ronald
306 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
303 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
George
291 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Joe
283 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Thomas
233 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) 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.
Harold
219 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1940) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.