Oregon's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Oregon saw a surge of newborns being named after popular and timeless names. The top baby girl names of the year were Mary, Sharon, and Linda, each holding a special meaning and significance to parents across the state. Mary, a name that has been a classic for centuries, continued to reign supreme as the most popular baby girl name in Oregon. Sharon, a name that was gaining popularity in the 1940s, was a nod to the biblical city of Sharon and its significance in Christianity. Linda, a name that means "pretty" or "beautiful," was a fitting choice for parents who wanted to give their daughter a name that reflected their hopes for her future.

For baby boys, Robert, James, and John were the top names of the year. Robert, a name that means "bright fame," was a popular choice for parents who wanted their son to stand out and achieve great things in life. James, a name that has been popular for centuries, was a nod to its biblical origins and its association with strength and leadership. John, a name that means "God is gracious," was a fitting choice for parents who wanted to give their son a name that reflected their faith and gratitude. Overall, the top baby names of 1942 in Oregon were a reflection of the timeless and meaningful names that parents continue to choose for their children today.

Most popular baby girl names in Oregon in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby girl names in Oregon were Mary with 351 occurrences, followed closely by Sharon with 338 occurrences. Linda was the third most popular name with 323 occurrences, while Patricia and Barbara rounded out the top five with 288 and 268 occurrences, respectively. These names were all very popular choices for parents in Oregon during this time period.

Mary

351 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Sharon

338 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Linda

323 baby girls born in Oregon (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."
Patricia

288 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Barbara

268 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Carol
264 baby girls born in Oregon (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".
Judith
234 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
221 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sandra
217 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Judy
215 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) named Judy
Nancy
210 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
180 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Janet
172 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Susan
149 baby girls born in Oregon (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
140 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Janice
130 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Marilyn
126 baby girls born in Oregon (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".
Kathleen
126 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Carolyn
119 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Betty
110 baby girls born in Oregon (1942) 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 Oregon in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby boy names in Oregon were Robert, James, John, Richard, and David. Robert was the most popular name with 484 babies given that name, followed closely by James and John with 453 and 442 respectively. Richard and David rounded out the top five names, with 442 and 371 babies given those names respectively.

Robert

484 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
James

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

442 baby boys born in Oregon (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

442 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
David

371 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
William
337 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Gary
318 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Larry
299 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Michael
298 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Ronald
271 baby boys born in Oregon (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
235 baby boys born in Oregon (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
216 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Charles
191 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Jerry
178 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Thomas
175 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Kenneth
166 baby boys born in Oregon (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Douglas
134 baby boys born in Oregon (1942) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
George
123 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Paul
116 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Gerald
103 baby boys born in Oregon (1942) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.