Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the most popular baby names in the state of Pennsylvania were Mary, Patricia, Barbara for baby girls and Robert, John, William for baby boys. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, which is not surprising as it has been a popular name for centuries. Patricia and Barbara were also quite popular, reflecting the trend of choosing traditional and timeless names.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name, followed by John and William. These names also reflect the trend of choosing traditional and classic names for baby boys. The popularity of these names in Pennsylvania in 1940 is a testament to their enduring appeal and timelessness.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1940

In Pennsylvania in the year 1940, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 3943 babies given that name. Patricia was the second most popular name with 3061 babies, followed by Barbara with 2921 babies. Nancy was the fourth most popular name with 2048 babies, and Carol was the fifth most popular name with 1846 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1940.

Mary

3943 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Patricia

3061 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Barbara

2921 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Nancy

2048 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol

1846 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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".
Judith
1810 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Joan
1567 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Margaret
1495 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Sandra
1294 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Dorothy
1167 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley
1095 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Janet
1027 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Elizabeth
977 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Joyce
973 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Betty
936 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Ruth
889 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Linda
845 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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."
Donna
845 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Helen
811 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Jean
747 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1940

According to the data available, the most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in the year 1940 were Robert, John, William, James, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 5351 babies being given that name, followed closely by John with 5253 babies. William, James, and Richard were also popular choices with 4126, 4108, and 3218 babies being given those names, respectively.

Robert

5351 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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

5253 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
William

4126 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
James

4108 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

3218 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
2660 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
2370 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Charles
2348 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Ronald
2207 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
2001 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Donald
1821 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
1708 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Edward
1606 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) 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".
Paul
1270 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) 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.
Michael
1075 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) 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.
Kenneth
1059 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
930 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
825 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Larry
796 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Gerald
766 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1940) 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.