20 Baby Names of the 1940s That We Love Today
If you're getting ready to welcome a baby, congratulations! One of the more daunting tasks you may have on your plate is choosing a name for your new arrival. Narrowing it down from the wide world of names can feel overwhelming, so many people narrow in on a category that appeals to them, such as a decade or country of origin. If you love vintage-inspired names, we have plenty of 1940s baby names here you'll love. While some of these names are still common today, there are plenty that have maintained that retro charm.
For boys, some of the popular 1940s names include options like Michael and James. For girls, some popular names of the decade were Mary and Sandra. We've looked at the names that were popular in the 1940s, according to the Social Security Administration. If you're looking for even more name inspiration, don't miss our collection of 1950s baby names, Spanish baby girl names, and baby girl names that start with A.
James
According to the Social Security Administration, James was the most popular name of the 1940s for boys. It's a name of Hebrew origin that means "supplanter." It's still in the top 10 most popular names for boys as of 2023.
Mary
This classic name was the most popular name for girls of the 1940s. It has Biblical roots as the name of Jesus' mother Mary, as well as Mary Magdalene. There are multiple ideas about the meaning of the name, including "rebelliousness," "wished for a child," and "beloved."
Robert
This sturdy name was popular in the 1940s and continues to be common today. It is of German and English origin and means "bright fame," making it perfect for your little guy who is destined to be a star someday.
Linda
The name Linda became popular in the 1940s and peaked in popularity in the 1950s. It's a Spanish name meaning "pretty," though it's also associated with the linden tree, a symbol of love and prosperity. It's also a fairly unique name for a baby born in the current times, so you know she probably won't be one of a dozen Lindas in her class!
John
This solid name was among the top 10 names for boys in the 1940s, though, of course, it dates back thousands of years. It's a name of Hebrew origin that means "God is gracious," making it especially fitting for a family of Christian faith.
Barbara
This name of Greek origin means "foreign" or "strange." It was one of the most popular names for girls in the 1940s. Of course, one of the most famous Barbaras born in the 1940s is the legendary singer and actress Barbara Streisand, who later changed the spelling of her name to "Barbra."
Patricia
This name of Latin origin means "noble." The name Patricia also comes with plenty of adorable built-in nicknames, including Patsy, Patty, Tricia, Pat, and plenty more. While it's not a terribly common name in the 2020s, it was one of the most popular names for girls born in the 1940s, according to the Social Security Administration.
William
This masculine name means "resolute protector." A popular 1940s name, it has Germanic roots and has been held by plenty of royals, folk heroes, and famous artists (ever heard of William Shakespeare?). It's a popular and classic choice that will likely never go out of style.
Sandra
This adorable name peaked in popularity in 1947, though it remained in the top 100 names until 1985. It's a Greek and English name that means "defender of men" or "defender of humanity." It began as a nickname for Alessandra, so it may be a good choice for parents who like that name but prefer something shorter.
Carol
This name has plenty of vintage charm. It was among the top 10 names for girls in the 1940s, though it historically has also been used as a male name. The name Carol means "free person" or "song," perfect for a child who's going to grow up surrounded by music.
Nancy
The name Nancy is of Hebrew and French origin. It means "grace" and "pure." It was a popular name choice in the 1940s and 1950s. Today, it's a more unique name choice with plenty of retro appeal. We have a feeling you'll be gifted plenty of Nancy Drew books on her first birthday if you go with this name!
Richard
Richard is a great name for the son who is sure to grow up to have great leadership skills. It means "brave ruler" and has both English and German roots. It also comes with plenty of built-in nicknames you can try on for size, like Rich, Richie, Rick, Ricky, and Ritchie. The name peaked in popularity in the U.S. in 1946, though it's still a common choice today.
Sharon
This Hebrew name means "of the fertile plain." Sharon peaked in popularity between 1943 and 1945 when it was the eighth most popular name for girls born in the U.S. It's an undeniably classic, simple, and strong name choice that will easily grow with her through different stages of life.
David
David is a Hebrew name that means "beloved" or "uncle." It comes from King David in the Bible, who famously defeated Goliath. It's been used in Britain since the Middle Ages and has consistently been one of the top 30 names for boys in the U.S. over the last century. During the 1940s, it was in the top 10 names for boys.
Judith
In the year 1940, Judith was the fourth most popular name for baby girls. It's a name of Hebrew origin meaning "woman from Judea" and is a feminine take on the Biblical name Judah. It has plenty of gravitas and vintage appeal, plus a couple of built-in nicknames like "Jude" and Judy."
Charles
This solid, classic name has German roots. It means "free man" and has been used by royals in England, France, Spain, Hungary, and Portugal. Charles was one of the top 10 names for boys in the 1940s and is still in the top 100 names for boys in the U.S. today.
Susan
The name Susan means "lily." It was in the top 10 names for girls between 1946 and 1968, though today it barely cracks the top 1000. It's recognizable and classic but not terribly common. You can call her Susie or Sue for short.
Thomas
If you're having twins, Thomas would be a perfect name for one of them: It literally means "twin." It's remained popular through the decades and was in the top 10 most popular names for boys in the 1940s. It's guaranteed to continue being a wholesome and strong name for decades to come.
Michael
Michael is a Hebrew name that means "who resembles God?" In the 1940s, it was consistently in the top 20 names for boys born in the U.S. It's only become more popular since: It was the number one name between 1961 and 1998. It feels classic and easy for your guy to grow with — it's neither too grown-up nor too childish.
Ronald
This Scandinavian and Norse name is perfect for a little boy who's already wise: It means "ruler's counselor." If "Ronald" feels a bit heavy for a baby, consider nicknaming him "Ron" or "Ronnie." This name was among the top 10 names for baby boys born in the 1940s.
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