The 20 Most Popular Girls' Names From The 1940s
During the 1940s, babies were being born left, right, and center — all thanks to the baby boom, of course. And all of those little tots needed names. New moms of the decade seemed to have clear favorites, but they’re not names you'd hear being called in the playground today...
Gloria
Actress Gloria Swanson, the embodiment of early Hollywood glamour, was a hugely successful actress in the 1920s and ’30s, so it's no surprise Gloria made the list of most popular girls names in the ’40s. Expectant parents also probably liked that it means “immortal glory” and “honor.”
Brenda
Brenda probably comes from the Old Nordic Brandr, which translates to “torch” or “sword,” so it’s generally a name associated with strength. It first became super popular in the States from the mid-1930s, when Brenda Frazier, an American socialite, shot to fame, and 112,409 babies were named Brenda in the 1940s.
Elizabeth
As a name literally fit for a queen, Elizabeth has been consistently popular for a long time. It has remained on the top 25 list of girl names for the past 100 years. 116,541 Elizabeths were born in the ’40s, but it was also popular in the '50s — probably thanks to the Queen’s coronation.
Joan
The popularity of the name Joan in 1940s America should come as little surprise. Actress Joan Crawford had been one of the highest-earning stars of the previous decade, and she won the Best Actress Oscar in 1945. Joan is also a name with deep religious connotations, and the iconic Joan of Arc surely contributed to its popularity.
