Most Popular Names of the 1940s

Most Popular Names of the 1940s — browse our complete collection of 100+ names with meanings, origins and pronunciations. Find inspiration for your baby from this carefully curated list.

Showing 1–48 of 100 names

Noble and bright

noble kind, of noble sort

3.Ann

♀ Female

Hebrew, via Greek and Latin

Gracious, full of grace or favor

4.Anthony

♂ Male

Latin

Priceless, highly praiseworthy, or flourishing.

5.Arthur

♂ Male

Welsh, Roman

Bear man; noble strength

6.Barbara

♀ Female

Greek

Foreign woman, stranger

7.Betty

♀ Female

Hebrew

My God is abundance; consecrated to God

8.Beverly

♀ Female

Old English

Beaver meadow or beaver stream

9.Billy

♂ Male

English diminutive of William

resolute protector, desire protection

10.Bobby

⚥ Unisex

Germanic

Bright fame, renowned

11.Bonnie

♀ Female

Scottish

Pretty, beautiful, good

Sword, blazing sword

Norman French, Scottish

From the brushwood thicket; from the town of Brix

free man

Germanic (via Latin) and English

Free man (originally male) or song (female)

16.Carolyn

♀ Female

English, diminutive of Carol

free man

Pure, clear

Free man

French (ultimately Greek)

beloved

20.Connie

⚥ Unisex

English, as a diminutive of Constance or Conrad

steadfast, constant

From Mount Cynthus

God is my judge

Beloved, darling, friend

Follower of Dionysus

divine, heavenly

Ruler of the world, proud chief

27.Donna

♀ Female

Italian

Lady, mistress of the house

28.Doris

♀ Female

Ancient Greek

Gift of the ocean; from the Greek word for 'Dorian woman'

Gift of God

dark river

Rich guard or prosperous protector

32.Elaine

♀ Female

Greek

Shining light, bright one

33.Elizabeth

♀ Female

Hebrew

My God is abundance; consecrated to God; God is my oath.

34.Eugene

♂ Male

Ancient Greek

Well-born, noble, good origin

35.Frances

♀ Female

Latin

From France; free one

36.Frank

♂ Male

Germanic

free, or from the Franks (a Germanic tribe)

Spear

Farmer, earth-worker. A grounded and hardworking individual.

Rule of the spear

Glory

Army ruler

Shining light, bright one.

home ruler

English (from Medieval English 'Jankin', a diminutive of John)

God is gracious

45.James

♂ Male

Hebrew (Christian adoption)

Meaning 'supplanter'.

God is gracious

God is gracious

God is gracious

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