Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the most popular baby names in the state of Pennsylvania were Mary, Barbara, and Patricia for girls, and John, Robert, and James for boys. Mary was a clear favorite among parents, as it held the top spot for girls' names for many years. Barbara and Patricia were also popular choices, with both names remaining in the top 10 for several decades.

For baby boys, John was the most popular name in Pennsylvania in 1942. Robert and James followed closely behind, both remaining popular names throughout the 20th century. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Overall, the baby names of 1942 in Pennsylvania were a reflection of the traditional and timeless names that have remained popular for generations. These names continue to inspire parents to this day, as they seek to give their children a name that will stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1942

According to the records of Pennsylvania in 1942, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Nancy. Mary was the most popular name with 4476 babies being named after it, followed by Barbara with 3872 babies, Patricia with 3706 babies, Carol with 3016 babies, and Nancy with 2249 babies. These names were the top choices for parents during that time period in Pennsylvania.

Mary

4476 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Barbara

3872 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Patricia

3706 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Carol

3016 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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".
Nancy

2249 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
2052 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
2042 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Margaret
1705 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Linda
1596 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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."
Joan
1587 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) 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.
Janet
1267 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Donna
1237 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Joyce
1188 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) 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.
Dorothy
1179 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Kathleen
1061 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Shirley
1054 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Elizabeth
1006 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) 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.
Betty
987 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carole
938 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Carole
The name Carole is a variant of the name Carol, which is derived from the Old Germanic name Karl, meaning "man" or "free man". It is a unisex name and was popularized in the 20th century.
Carolyn
937 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1942

According to records from 1942, the top 5 most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania were John, Robert, James, William, and Richard. John was the most popular name with 6575 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 6201 babies. James came in at third place with 5206 babies named James, while William was fourth with 5058 babies. Richard rounded out the top 5 with 3682 babies given that name.

John

6575 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Robert

6201 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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

5206 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

5058 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Richard

3682 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
3297 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
2974 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Charles
2724 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
David
2707 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Ronald
2496 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
2020 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Edward
1983 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) 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".
Donald
1855 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Michael
1554 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Paul
1444 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Kenneth
1262 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
1140 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Larry
1059 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Raymond
1031 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1942) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Gerald
896 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.