Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the most popular baby names in the state of Pennsylvania were Mary, Patricia, Barbara for baby girls and John, Robert, James for baby boys. Mary has been a popular name for baby girls for decades and it was no different in Pennsylvania in 1946. Patricia and Barbara were also very popular names for baby girls in the state.

For baby boys, John, Robert, and James were the top choices for parents in Pennsylvania. These names have remained popular over the years and are still commonly used today. It's interesting to see how some names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents, even after several decades have passed.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1946

In Pennsylvania in 1946, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Patricia, Barbara, Carol, and Linda. Mary was the most popular name with 4455 babies given that name, followed by Patricia with 3671 babies, Barbara with 3525 babies, Carol with 3311 babies, and Linda with 2953 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends during the post-World War II era.

Mary

4455 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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

3671 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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

3525 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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

3311 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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".
Linda

2953 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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."
Sandra
2436 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Nancy
2299 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Susan
1995 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Judith
1969 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Kathleen
1808 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Donna
1671 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Margaret
1628 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Karen
1517 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sharon
1346 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Diane
1229 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Janet
1111 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joan
1087 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Joyce
1015 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Elizabeth
938 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Shirley
916 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1946

In Pennsylvania in 1946, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, James, William, and Richard. John was the most popular name with 7202 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 6907 babies. James was the third most popular name with 5861 babies, while William and Richard rounded out the top five with 5405 and 4645 babies given those names, respectively.

John

7202 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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

6907 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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

5861 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

5405 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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

4645 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
3695 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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
3434 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Joseph
3365 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
2748 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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
2684 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Michael
2586 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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
2004 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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".
George
1898 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Donald
1861 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Paul
1716 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Dennis
1671 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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.
Kenneth
1503 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gary
1460 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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
1251 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) 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
1133 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1946) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".