Utah's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Utah saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The most popular baby girl names of the year were Linda, Mary, and Karen. Linda held the top spot, followed closely by Mary and Karen. These names were undoubtedly influenced by the cultural and societal trends of the time, as well as the religious and family values of the region.

For baby boys, the top names of the year were Richard, John, and Robert. Richard was the most popular name, followed by John and Robert. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. The names reflect the traditional values and strong sense of community that have long been a hallmark of the state of Utah.

Most popular baby girl names in Utah in 1940

In Utah, 1940, Linda was the most popular name given to baby girls with 207 occurrences. Mary followed closely with 168 occurrences, while Karen, Carol, and Barbara were also popular names with 141, 140, and 123 occurrences, respectively.

Linda

207 baby girls born in Utah (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."
Mary

168 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Karen

141 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carol

140 baby girls born in Utah (1940) 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".
Sharon

123 baby girls born in Utah (1940) 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.
Barbara
123 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Judy
115 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Judy
Patricia
112 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Joyce
96 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Nancy
89 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carolyn
89 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Joan
88 baby girls born in Utah (1940) 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.
Judith
79 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Bonnie
76 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Bonnie
The name Bonnie means "pretty" or "good" and is of Scottish origin. It is often used as a nickname for someone who is attractive or pleasant.
Connie
73 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Connie
The name Connie is a diminutive form of the name Constance, which is derived from the Latin word "constantia" meaning "steadfastness" or "constancy". The name Connie is often used as a standalone name and can also be a nickname for other names such as Constance, Constanza, or Conrad.
Sandra
66 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Betty
64 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Janet
62 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Marilyn
58 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Janice
56 baby girls born in Utah (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Utah in 1940

Based on data from 1940, the most popular baby boy names in Utah were Richard, John, Robert, David, and Gary. Richard was the most popular name with 240 occurrences, followed closely by John with 221 occurrences and Robert with 218 occurrences. David and Gary rounded out the top five with 216 and 172 occurrences, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

Richard

240 baby boys born in Utah (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

221 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Robert

218 baby boys born in Utah (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.
David

216 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Gary

172 baby boys born in Utah (1940) 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.
James
169 baby boys born in Utah (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Larry
154 baby boys born in Utah (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.
William
122 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Ronald
122 baby boys born in Utah (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Dennis
99 baby boys born in Utah (1940) 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.
Paul
97 baby boys born in Utah (1940) 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.
Kenneth
92 baby boys born in Utah (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
89 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Michael
88 baby boys born in Utah (1940) 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.
Thomas
81 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Lynn
78 baby boys born in Utah (1940) named Lynn
The name Lynn is of English origin and is derived from the Welsh word "llyn" which means "lake". It is also a short form of the name Linda, which means "beautiful" in Spanish. Lynn is a unisex name and has been in use since the 19th century. People with this name are said to be creative, intuitive, and have a strong desire for independence.
George
76 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Charles
71 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Brent
66 baby boys born in Utah (1940) named Brent
The name Brent is of Old English origin and means "hill" or "mountain". It is often used as a surname as well as a first name.
Donald
63 baby boys born in Utah (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".