South carolina's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, South Carolina witnessed a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Betty, and Barbara topped the list of most popular baby girl names, reflecting the state's affinity towards classic and timeless names. These names were not only popular in South Carolina but across the United States as well.

For baby boys, James, John, and William were the most popular names in South Carolina in 1940. These names have a strong biblical and historical significance and have been consistently popular over the years. The popularity of these names in South Carolina reflects the state's cultural and traditional values, where parents often choose names with a strong meaning and significance.

Most popular baby girl names in South carolina in 1940

In South Carolina in 1940, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 1569 babies being given that name. Betty was the second most popular name, with 811 babies named Betty. Barbara was the third most popular name, with 566 babies given that name. Dorothy was the fourth most popular name, with 462 babies named Dorothy. Shirley rounded out the top five most popular names for baby girls in South Carolina in 1940, with 412 babies being given that name.

Mary

1569 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Betty

811 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

566 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Dorothy

462 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley

412 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Annie
402 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Margaret
376 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Patricia
372 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Martha
339 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Linda
320 baby girls born in South carolina (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."
Frances
306 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Elizabeth
305 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Carolyn
283 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) 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.
Helen
271 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Sarah
270 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Nancy
261 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Doris
225 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Virginia
203 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Rosa
199 baby girls born in South carolina (1940) named Rosa
The name Rosa is of Latin origin and means "rose". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty and grace.
Ruth
196 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

Most popular baby boy names in South carolina in 1940

Based on the data from South Carolina in 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, John, William, Robert, and Willie. James was the most popular name with 1,928 babies given this name, followed by John with 1,072 babies, William with 942 babies, Robert with 907 babies, and Willie with 646 babies. These names were likely chosen due to their traditional and classic sound, as well as their popularity among previous generations.

James

1928 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1072 baby boys born in South carolina (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

942 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Robert

907 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Willie

646 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Charles
640 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Thomas
482 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
George
412 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
David
410 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Joseph
320 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Henry
311 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Bobby
307 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Richard
294 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joe
281 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Jerry
251 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Donald
226 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Edward
216 baby boys born in South carolina (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".
Larry
214 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Billy
208 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Johnny
201 baby boys born in South carolina (1940) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".