Texas's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Texas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, the most popular name for girls, was followed by Barbara and Betty. These names were commonly chosen by parents who wanted to give their daughters classic and timeless names that would stand the test of time.

For baby boys, the top names in Texas in 1940 were James, Robert, and John. These names were also traditional and had been popular for many years. Parents in Texas seemed to favor strong, masculine names for their sons, and these names fit the bill perfectly.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Texas in 1940 reflected a desire for traditional and classic names that had stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular today, showing that some names truly are timeless.

Most popular baby girl names in Texas in 1940

In Texas in 1940, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 3375 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Barbara, with 1678 babies named that. Betty came in third place, with 1464 babies given that name. Linda and Maria rounded out the top five, with 1277 and 1260 babies given those names, respectively.

Mary

3375 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Barbara

1678 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Betty

1464 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Linda

1277 baby girls born in Texas (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."
Maria

1260 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Maria
Maria is a name of Latin origin, derived from the name Mariam or Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "sorrow". It is a common name in many cultures and is often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity.
Patricia
1192 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Shirley
921 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Dorothy
829 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carolyn
704 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Sandra
701 baby girls born in Texas (1940) 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.
Martha
676 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Nancy
675 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Patsy
669 baby girls born in Texas (1940) 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.
Joyce
667 baby girls born in Texas (1940) 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.
Gloria
651 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Virginia
630 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Margaret
577 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Wanda
573 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Frances
533 baby girls born in Texas (1940) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Helen
526 baby girls born in Texas (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Texas in 1940

In Texas, 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, Charles, and William. James was the most popular name with 2972 babies given the name, followed by Robert with 2150 babies, John with 2109 babies, Charles with 1843 babies, and William with 1549 babies. These classic and timeless names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

James

2972 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

2150 baby boys born in Texas (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.
John

2109 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Charles

1843 baby boys born in Texas (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.
William

1549 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Jerry
1401 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Joe
1260 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
David
1084 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Billy
1079 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Richard
967 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
906 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Bobby
801 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
George
800 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Thomas
777 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Jose
755 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Kenneth
734 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jimmy
709 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Larry
596 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Johnny
537 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".
Frank
493 baby boys born in Texas (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".