Tennessee's most popular baby names in 1942

In the state of Tennessee, the year 1942 saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary topped the list of baby girl names, followed closely by Betty and Barbara. These classic names were favored by parents who wanted to give their daughters names that would stand the test of time.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name in Tennessee in 1942. William and Robert followed closely behind, with parents again opting for traditional names that would never go out of style. These names were likely chosen to honor family members or simply because they were well-loved names that had been used for generations.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Tennessee in 1942 were a reflection of the times. With the country at war, parents may have been drawn to names that were familiar and comforting, rather than trendy or unusual. Today, these names continue to be popular choices for parents who want to give their children names that are timeless and classic.

Most popular baby girl names in Tennessee in 1942

In 1942, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Tennessee with 1867 babies being given that name. The next four most popular names were Betty with 1134 babies, Barbara with 1083 babies, Linda with 1049 babies, and Patricia with 762 babies. These were the top five baby girl names in Tennessee during that year.

Mary

1867 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Betty

1134 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

1083 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Linda

1049 baby girls born in Tennessee (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."
Patricia

762 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Carolyn
753 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Shirley
734 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Joyce
579 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Martha
532 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) 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.
Dorothy
525 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Nancy
508 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Peggy
499 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Brenda
472 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Sandra
452 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Wanda
426 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Margaret
405 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Judy
383 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Judy
Elizabeth
327 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Virginia
315 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) 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.
Patsy
310 baby girls born in Tennessee (1942) named Patsy
The name Patsy is a diminutive form of the name Patricia or Patrick, which means "noble" or "patrician" in Latin. The name Patsy is commonly used as a nickname for someone with the full name Patricia or Patrick.

Most popular baby boy names in Tennessee in 1942

According to data from 1942, James was the most popular baby boy name in Tennessee with 2905 babies given that name. William was the second most popular name with 1588 babies, followed by Robert with 1440 babies. Charles and John were also popular names with 1296 and 1144 babies respectively.

James

2905 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1588 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Robert

1440 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Charles

1296 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
John

1144 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Jerry
871 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) 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.
David
671 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Billy
652 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Thomas
642 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Larry
586 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Bobby
557 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
George
499 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Donald
468 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jimmy
449 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joe
426 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Richard
405 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
387 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
368 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
360 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Roy
335 baby boys born in Tennessee (1942) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".