Wisconsin's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Wisconsin saw a rise in popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary held the top spot as the most popular name for baby girls, followed by Judith and Karen. These names were often associated with religious or biblical references, reflecting the values of the time.

For baby boys, the top names were James, Robert, and John. These names were also traditional and timeless, reflecting the strong cultural values of the state. Parents in Wisconsin in 1942 preferred classic names that would stand the test of time and hold significant meaning for their children.

Most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1942

In 1942, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Wisconsin, with a total of 1583 babies given that name. Following Mary were Judith, Karen, Barbara, and Carol, with 1303, 1081, 1027, and 1012 babies given those names, respectively. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Wisconsin during that year.

Mary

1583 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Judith

1303 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen

1081 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Barbara

1027 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Carol

1012 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) 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".
Patricia
941 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Sandra
921 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Sharon
840 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Nancy
681 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Kathleen
658 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Susan
483 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Diane
458 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Joan
453 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Donna
442 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Judy
428 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Judy
Janet
373 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Bonnie
371 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Jean
366 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Janice
365 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1942) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Shirley
351 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Wisconsin in 1942

In Wisconsin in 1942, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, Richard, and David. James was the most popular name with 1936 babies given that name. Robert and John were close behind with 1731 and 1421 babies given those names, respectively. Richard and David were also popular choices with 1408 and 1200 babies given those names, respectively.

James

1936 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1731 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
John

1421 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Richard

1408 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David

1200 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Thomas
1166 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
William
1061 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Ronald
870 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Dennis
741 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Donald
719 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Michael
672 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Gerald
613 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Gary
606 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) 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.
Kenneth
582 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Charles
487 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Roger
456 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) 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".
Larry
405 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Edward
321 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) 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".
Joseph
317 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
312 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.