Washington's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Washington saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Sharon, Judith, and Mary. These names were likely chosen for their classic and timeless feel, as well as their popularity at the time.

As for baby boys, the top names in Washington in 1940 were Robert, James, and John. These names also have a classic and traditional feel, and may have been chosen for their strong and masculine connotations.

Overall, the top baby names in Washington in 1940 reflect a desire for classic and timeless names that would stand the test of time. These names continue to be popular today, proving their enduring appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in Washington in 1940

Based on the data from 1940, the most popular baby girl names in Washington were Sharon, Judith, Mary, Patricia, and Linda. Sharon was the most popular name with 438 babies given that name, followed closely by Judith with 380 babies. Mary, Patricia, and Linda were also popular choices, with 368, 350, and 349 babies respectively given those names.

Sharon

438 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Judith

380 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Mary

368 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Patricia

350 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Linda

349 baby girls born in Washington (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."
Barbara
340 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Carol
325 baby girls born in Washington (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".
Judy
297 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Judy
Sandra
281 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Nancy
244 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
212 baby girls born in Washington (1940) 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.
Karen
207 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Marilyn
171 baby girls born in Washington (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
158 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Janet
157 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Betty
154 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joan
149 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Susan
143 baby girls born in Washington (1940) 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.
Margaret
140 baby girls born in Washington (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Shirley
139 baby girls born in Washington (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Washington in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby boy names in Washington were Robert, James, John, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 681 babies given that name, followed by James with 594, John with 574, Richard with 519, and William with 441. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures of the time.

Robert

681 baby boys born in Washington (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.
James

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

574 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Richard

519 baby boys born in Washington (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

441 baby boys born in Washington (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.
David
436 baby boys born in Washington (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
433 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Larry
323 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Michael
304 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Ronald
285 baby boys born in Washington (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
280 baby boys born in Washington (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
241 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Dennis
236 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Jerry
195 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Thomas
186 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Gerald
185 baby boys born in Washington (1940) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Kenneth
177 baby boys born in Washington (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
164 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Jack
162 baby boys born in Washington (1940) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Roger
123 baby boys born in Washington (1940) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".