👶

The perfect name is out there — we're here to help you find it.

WWII influenced naming with patriotic and strong names. The baby boom began and classic names reached peak saturation.

Quick facts: 1940s names

  • 1940s names are cyclically overdue — expect a wave in the next 5 years.
  • 2,259 names peaked in popularity during the 1940s
  • 1,675 girl names and 871 boy names peaked in the 1940s
  • 1940s names are considered vintage — many are due for a revival

1940s Girl Names

144 girl names that peaked in popularity during the 1940s

#99
Ireland↑ Making a comeback
Irish
#228
Italy
divine
#281
English
God is gracious
#310
American↑ Making a comeback
dew of the sea
#369
American↑ Making a comeback
Beloved
#398
United Kingdom
joyful stone
#416
American
affectionate or sea
#445
France
Son of the king
#502
Scotland↑ Making a comeback
Scottish
#503
English
Bright as a star; intelligent.
#503
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#504
USA
English
#504
American
From the North
#507
American
farmer
#507
American
Pearl; beloved
#508
American
Hebrew
#509
American
twin
#510
American
Lyndol is thought to be a variant of Lindell, which means 'lime tree hill'.
#513
English
free woman
#514
American
God is gracious.
#515
France
little one
#516
Sweden
lime tree
#517
Belgium
Native language (possibly Belgian/French)
#518
American
who is like God?
#519
English
Rich friend
#520
Hebrew
Hebrew
#521
American
Lady
#521
American
A blend of 'Linda' (meaning beautiful) and '-ola' which may suggest a diminutive form.
#521
American
A variation of ‘Suela’ or ‘Swell’
#522
American
little champion
#522
English
a valley; a mystical place
#524
Welsh
Much loved
#524
American
English
#525
USA
Noble
#525
Italy
little rower
#526
English
Longing, desire
#528
American
A variant spelling of Shirelle or Cheryl, often associated with beloved or darling.
#529
American
A modern variation influenced by the name Jamel, which is of Arabic origin meaning 'beautiful'.
#531
American
A combination of the names Velma and Marie, typically signifying a noble or beloved woman.
#532
American
Jocile is often considered a modern variation of the name Jocelyn, which has Old French origins meaning 'little goth'.
#532
English
Derived from Hroswitha, meaning 'rosy' or 'pretty'.
#537
American
variant spelling of Shirin, meaning 'sweet, delightful'
#539
Spanish
Spanish
#539
English
melodic
#540
Ireland
Pure
#541
American
English
#541
American
Feminine form of Gerald, meaning 'rule of the spear'
#542
American
English
#545
English
Judah's daughter
#545
American↑ Making a comeback
a diminutive of 'Mackenzie', meaning 'son of the wise ruler.'
#546
American
English
#546
American
Life, Life-giving
#547
American
to reject
#551
American
Dweller by the brook
#551
United Kingdom
Old English
#552
American
Earthy; related to the earth.
#553
American
A combination of the names Rita and Ann, symbolizing a strong and elegant character.
#554
American
Diminutive form of Sharon and Sharman
#555
American
Variant of Charlotte, meaning 'free man'.
#555
France
God is gracious
#558
American
English
#559
USA
darling, beloved
#560
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#561
American
Uncertain; possibly derived from Drena, meaning 'dream' or 'to aspire'
#561
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#561
Hebrew
Hebrew
#561
Spanish
Spanish
#562
English
merciful, gentle
#562
English
Belonging to the Lord
#563
American
pledge, promise
#563
Hebrew
lily
#564
American
Bright meadow
#566
American
Hebrew
#567
Italy
of Mars, warrior
#569
English
a blend of Sharon, meaning 'a plain' or 'a fertile plain'
#570
Greece
calm, healer
#571
American
Free man, strong man.
#571
American
Queen
#572
American
Small; little one
#572
English
A combination of 'Katherine' and 'Evelyn'
#573
Arabic
Arabic
#574
France
reborn
#575
English
Lily
#576
American
free man
#579
American
English
#580
American
French
#582
Latin
Of Lesbos, related to the island in Greece.
#583
American
A variation of 'Jane', which means 'God is gracious'
#584
India
Rain; monsoon
#584
American
Form of Geraldine, Ruler with Spear
#587
American
Derived from rose; a small rose
#590
American
valley with a glen
#592
Greek
farmer, earthworker
#592
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#594
England
noble maiden
#595
Scotland
Scottish Gaelic
#598
Hebrew
I will praise God
#598
Spain
virgin
#601
American
A combination of Barbara and Ann, meaning 'foreign woman' and 'gracious, full of grace' respectively.
#601
American
Latin
#604
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#604
France
Ancient, venerable
#604
American
a combination of 'sher' (meaning 'to feel' or 'to be') and '-ion' (a common suffix), implying a person who has feelings
#605
France
A room; a hall.
#605
American
a blend of Sharon and Lee, meaning a plain or field
#606
Irish
little dark one
#606
American
Praised
#607
France
English
#607
Italian
little rose
#608
Ireland
pure
#611
Spain
Little star
#611
American
Bitterness
#612
Greece
God is gracious
#612
American
English
#616
American
Greek
#617
American
From Judah; Jewish.
#617
American
Lady; princess
#619
American
a combination of 'garland' and 'lean'
#622
Ireland
the tender one
#624
French
Cherry
#624
American
A variant of Sherry combined with the suffix '-lyn'
#625
American
God will increase
#625
France
small
#625
Indonesia
Colorful; vibrant.
#626
English
Greek
#626
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#628
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#629
American
Free man
#631
American
noble and bright
#633
American
a variant of the name Jorina, meaning 'downy' or 'soft-haired'
#633
China
Great grandeur
#639
American
A diminutive form of Victoria, meaning 'victory' or 'conqueror'.
#641
Hindi-speaking regions
light, radiance
#642
English
Brave ruler
#643
American
a prosperous protector
#644
United Kingdom
river
#644
Greece
leaf
#645
English
God is gracious
#646
English
Foreign woman; stranger
#646
Scandinavian Countries
defender of mankind
#648
American
Folk leader
#649
American
English
#650
American
a variant of a name meaning 'light' or 'bright'
#652
Italy
Ancient, venerable

1940s Boy Names

87 boy names that peaked in popularity during the 1940s

#4
English
supplanter
#99
Ireland↑ Making a comeback
Irish
#281
English
God is gracious
#310
American↑ Making a comeback
dew of the sea
#363
Greece
Crown or Garland
#369
American↑ Making a comeback
Beloved
#398
United Kingdom
joyful stone
#416
American
affectionate or sea
#445
France
Son of the king
#499
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#502
Scotland↑ Making a comeback
Scottish
#503
English
Son of the farmer
#503
American
English
#504
American
From the North
#506
American
Noble or kind
#507
American
Derived from the German name Heinrich, meaning ‘ruler of the home’ or ‘estate ruler’.
#509
United Kingdom
A surname of English origin, meaning 'hard village'.
#509
English
Peaceful raven
#510
American
Lyndol is thought to be a variant of Lindell, which means 'lime tree hill'.
#516
Sweden
lime tree
#516
American
from Laurentum, crowned with laurel
#521
American
From the name of the French-born American naval officer Stephen Decatur, symbolizing bravery and honor.
#522
American
little champion
#522
American
descendant of Hind
#522
English
lively, energetic
#525
England
English
#526
Spain
The name Esiquio is derived from the Greek name 'Ezekiel,' meaning 'God strengthens.'
#529
American
A modern variation influenced by the name Jamel, which is of Arabic origin meaning 'beautiful'.
#530
Italy
Latin
#539
Germanic
one who is from the valley
#541
French
A term that can mean 'fool' or 'idiot'.
#542
American
Derived from the name Robert, meaning 'bright fame'.
#542
Scottish
famous ruler or wealthy
#544
American
twin
#545
American↑ Making a comeback
a diminutive of 'Mackenzie', meaning 'son of the wise ruler.'
#551
United Kingdom
Old English
#553
American
brave ruler
#555
English
French
#558
American
From the deer forest
#561
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#562
English
Belonging to the Lord
#563
American
pledge, promise
#564
American
Bright meadow
#565
France
a form of 'Ange,' meaning messenger or angel.
#565
English
man, warrior
#566
American
Hebrew
#570
Greece
calm, healer
#571
American
Free man, strong man.
#571
Scotland
Scottish
#572
American
English
#573
Arabic
Arabic
#575
United Kingdom
Son of fortune
#577
Scottish
ruler's advisor
#578
English
Dark-skinned or black
#579
American
Bright heart
#580
Dutch
Son of Bart
#587
English
From the linden tree hill
#590
American
valley with a glen
#600
United Kingdom
A diminutive form of Algernon, meaning 'whitish' or 'of the Elf'.
#605
American
guardian or protector
#607
France
English
#609
American
Solemn or cool-headed
#611
American
YHWH is exalted
#612
Scotland
ruler's advisor
#617
Greece
glory of the people
#621
American
a variant of the Old English name Tild, meaning 'people's ruler'.
#622
Ireland
the tender one
#624
American
English
#626
American
Rule with counsel
#629
Latin
Great, venerable
#631
American
heir to the throne
#632
American
English
#632
English
from the island clearing
#634
English
English
#635
American
A surname of English origin, derived from the Old English 'leof', meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'.
#638
England
English
#644
United Kingdom
river
#644
English
Greek
#644
Greece
leaf
#645
Italy
bright or famous filled with brightness
#645
English
God is gracious
#645
American
English
#646
Scandinavian Countries
defender of mankind
#647
English
Noble, courageous.
#650
American
Variant of Gerald, meaning 'rule of the spear'
#651
English
Germanic
#652
Italy
Ancient, venerable

Get your free baby name shortlist

Tell us your style, we'll send 20 names you'll love — curated, not generated.