Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1944

In the year 1944, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the top baby girl names, reflecting the timeless appeal of classic names. These names have been popular for decades, and their popularity continues to this day.

For baby boys, John, Robert, and James were the top choices. These names also have a long history of popularity, and they continue to be popular choices for parents today. John, in particular, has been a top name for centuries, and it remains a popular choice for parents who want a strong, traditional name for their son.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Pennsylvania in 1944 reflect a desire for classic, timeless names that have stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular today, showing that some names truly never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1944

According to data from 1944, the most popular baby girl name in Pennsylvania was Mary, with 3952 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were Barbara (2915), Patricia (2853), Carol (2807), and Nancy (1902). These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as family traditions and personal preferences.

Mary

3952 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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

2915 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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

2853 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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

2807 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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

1902 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
1880 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Judith
1858 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Linda
1772 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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."
Margaret
1415 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Donna
1293 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Kathleen
1178 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Susan
1148 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Joan
1100 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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
1008 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Karen
972 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Dorothy
926 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Elizabeth
920 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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
912 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Shirley
858 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Ruth
851 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1944

According to records from 1944, the most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania were John, Robert, James, William, and Richard. John was the most popular name with 5967 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 5625 babies. James came in third with 4848 babies, while William and Richard rounded out the top five with 4305 and 3338 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity and traditional sound.

John

5967 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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

5625 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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

4848 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

4305 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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

3338 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
2962 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
2856 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
David
2671 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Charles
2395 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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
2132 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Michael
1727 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Edward
1726 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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
1697 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
1689 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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
1336 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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
1183 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gary
974 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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
937 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.
Frank
935 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Dennis
858 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1944) 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.