Names of US

Wisconsin's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Wisconsin witnessed a surge of newborns, and parents were on the lookout for the perfect name for their little ones. The top baby girl names in Wisconsin were Mary, Judith, and Carol. Mary, a timeless classic, maintained its position as the most popular name for baby girls in Wisconsin, while Judith and Carol followed closely behind.

For baby boys, Robert, James, and John were the top picks in Wisconsin in 1940. Robert was the most popular name for baby boys, followed by James and John. These names have stood the test of time and continue to remain popular even today. It's fascinating to see how names evolve over time, and these names from 1940 still hold a special place in the hearts of many Wisconsin families.

Most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1940

According to records from 1940, the most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin were Mary, Judith, Carol, Patricia, and Barbara. Mary was the most popular name with 1462 babies given that name, followed by Judith with 1228 babies. Carol, Patricia, and Barbara were also popular choices with 896, 885, and 884 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1462 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  2. Judith

    1228 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  3. Carol

    896 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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".

  4. Patricia

    885 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  5. Barbara

    884 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  6. Nancy

    676 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  7. Karen

    608 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  8. Sandra

    575 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  9. Sharon

    528 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  10. Joan

    437 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  11. Donna

    391 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  12. Shirley

    380 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  13. Janet

    359 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

  14. Kathleen

    351 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Kathleen

    The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

  15. Joyce

    349 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  16. Beverly

    343 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Beverly

    The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

  17. Judy

    341 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Judy

  18. Betty

    323 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  19. Janice

    320 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  20. Jean

    318 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1940) named Jean

    The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.

Most popular baby boy names in Wisconsin in 1940

In Wisconsin, 1940, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, John, Richard, and Thomas. Robert was the most popular name with 1576 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1552 babies. John came in third with 1318 babies named John, while Richard was fourth with 1255 babies. Thomas rounded out the top five with 909 babies given that name. These names were likely popular due to their classic and traditional sound.

  1. Robert

    1576 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  2. James

    1552 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1940) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  3. John

    1318 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  4. Richard

    1255 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1940) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. Thomas

    909 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  6. David

    903 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  7. William

    879 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  8. Ronald

    728 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1940) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  9. Donald

    726 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1940) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  10. Gerald

    577 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  11. Kenneth

    518 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1940) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  12. Dennis

    476 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  13. Charles

    457 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  14. Roger

    447 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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".

  15. Gary

    436 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  16. Michael

    418 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  17. Larry

    325 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  18. Edward

    294 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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".

  19. Joseph

    284 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1940) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  20. Wayne

    281 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1940) named Wayne

    The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.