Rhode island's most popular baby names in 1948

In the year 1948, the state of Rhode Island saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Linda, Patricia, and Mary. Linda, a Spanish name meaning "pretty," was the most popular choice for parents that year. Patricia, a Latin name meaning "noble," came in at a close second, followed by the timeless classic, Mary.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and William. Robert, a Germanic name meaning "bright fame," was the most popular choice for parents of baby boys in Rhode Island in 1948. John, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious," came in at a close second, followed by William, an English name meaning "resolute protection."

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Rhode Island in 1948 reflect the trends of the time, with classic and timeless names being favored over more unique or modern choices.

Most popular baby girl names in Rhode island in 1948

According to the records of Rhode Island in 1948, the most popular baby girl names were Linda with 435 occurrences, followed by Patricia with 256, Mary with 244, Susan with 226, and Kathleen with 219. These names were the top choices for parents in Rhode Island during that year.

  1. Linda

    435 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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."

  2. Patricia

    256 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  3. Mary

    244 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  4. Susan

    226 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  5. Kathleen

    219 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Kathleen

    The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

  6. Barbara

    217 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  7. Carol

    196 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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".

  8. Nancy

    188 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  9. Donna

    154 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  10. Sandra

    143 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  11. Diane

    133 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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".

  12. Judith

    119 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  13. Sharon

    106 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  14. Karen

    106 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  15. Margaret

    100 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  16. Janice

    96 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  17. Cheryl

    95 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Cheryl

    The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.

  18. Elaine

    94 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) named Elaine

    The name Elaine means "bright, shining light" or "torch" and is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French name Hélène, which is from the Greek name Helene, meaning "torch" or "corposant".

  19. Elizabeth

    94 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  20. Joyce

    90 baby girls born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Rhode island in 1948

In Rhode Island, 1948, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, Richard, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 634 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 568 babies. William came in third with 380 babies named William, while Richard and James rounded out the top five with 359 and 317 babies respectively.

  1. Robert

    634 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  2. John

    568 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  3. William

    380 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  4. Richard

    359 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. James

    317 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  6. Michael

    279 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  7. David

    275 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  8. Joseph

    262 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  9. Thomas

    254 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  10. Paul

    214 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  11. Ronald

    204 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  12. Donald

    173 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  13. George

    171 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  14. Edward

    170 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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".

  15. Stephen

    165 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Stephen

    The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

  16. Raymond

    164 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  17. Charles

    150 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  18. Dennis

    133 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) 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.

  19. Kenneth

    121 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  20. Peter

    108 baby boys born in Rhode island (1948) named Peter

    The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common name in many cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, stability, and steadfastness.