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

Classic names that peaked in 1940 — now making a comeback. Vintage names often cycle back into popularity after 80–100 years.

Quick facts: names popular in 1940

  • 1,135 names in our database peaked in popularity around 1940
  • 826 girl names and 452 boy names are associated with 1940
  • Names from 1940 are now old enough to be entering their revival window
  • Nearby years with similar naming trends: 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942

Popular Girl Names 1940

143 girl names that peaked in popularity around 1940

#182
France↑ Rising
rose
#398
United Kingdom
joyful stone
#502
Scotland↑ Rising
Scottish
#504
American
From the North
#509
American
twin
#510
American
English
#514
American
God is gracious.
#516
Czech Republic
A feminine form of the name Karel, meaning 'man' or 'free man'.
#516
American
A modern name that could be a combination of 'Vera' and 'Wiley', suggesting diverse influences.
#519
English
Bright, clear; a variant of the name Clara.
#520
Hebrew
Hebrew
#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
American
A variant of the name Laurel, which is derived from the laurel tree, symbolizing victory and honor.
#522
Scotland
A variation of 'Norman', meaning northman or former Norseman.
#522
English
a valley; a mystical place
#525
Italy
little rower
#528
American
English
#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
English
#538
Albania
mighty
#545
English
Judah's daughter
#546
American
Life, Life-giving
#547
Spain
Of Mary; beloved
#553
Scandinavian countries
light
#555
American
Variant of Charlotte, meaning 'free man'.
#559
USA
darling, beloved
#561
Hebrew
Hebrew
#562
English
merciful, gentle
#562
English
Belonging to the Lord
#574
American
Valley of the glen
#579
American
English
#584
American
Form of Geraldine, Ruler with Spear
#587
American
Derived from rose; a small rose
#588
American
Derived from the word 'love', denoting affection and beauty.
#592
Greek
farmer, earthworker
#592
English
God will increase
#593
Mexico
The Lady
#601
American
A combination of Barbara and Ann, meaning 'foreign woman' and 'gracious, full of grace' respectively.
#604
USA
English
#604
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#605
France
A room; a hall.
#606
Scotland
Scottish
#606
American
Praised
#607
Italian
little rose
#610
English
Lame; crippled; a feminine form of Claudius.
#611
French
gift from God
#611
American
Bitterness
#611
English
Little warrior
#614
American
English
#616
American
Greek
#619
American
a combination of 'garland' and 'lean'
#619
American
Little Sea.
#620
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#623
Italy
Grandmother
#625
American
God will increase
#627
American
English
#628
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#631
English
English
#632
American
English
#643
American
a prosperous protector
#644
United Kingdom
river
#645
English
God is gracious
#645
Hebrew
Hebrew
#646
English
Foreign woman; stranger
#649
American
A modern name possibly derived from the name Fern.
#650
Welsh
little
#652
Italy
Ancient, venerable
#654
American
Determined protector
#656
American
Irish
#663
France
A feminine form of Gerald, which means 'rules by the spear'.
#665
Italy
laurel; victory
#668
American
A modern blend of 'Jerry' and 'Lynn', implying 'of the sea'.
#669
Slovenia
Slovene
#670
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#670
American
A variant of the name 'Searcy', originally a surname.
#671
American
likely derived from names like 'Ronald' or 'Ronni', meaning 'ruler' or 'counsel'
#673
American
Variant of the name Cobin, possibly derived from 'cabin'
#673
Swedish-speaking countries
A form of the name Linnea, referring to the twinflower.
#675
American
English
#675
American
glory or famous
#675
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#680
American
God is gracious
#684
American
Of the sea
#685
American
supplanter
#689
France
A beloved name with deep roots
#691
USA
A combination of the names Nancy and Lee.
#691
American
Princess, beloved
#694
English
English
#697
English
A feminine form of Thomas; meaning 'twin'
#704
Germanic
gracious
#704
France
Marie: 'Of the sea' or 'bitter', Ann: 'grace'
#704
American
a diminutive of the name Margherita, meaning 'daisy'
#705
American
A variation of names like Colleen, meaning girl or young woman.
#708
American
star field
#709
American
sea of bitterness
#711
American
English
#720
American
English
#722
France
French
#725
Greek
Greek
#726
English
Italian
#727
Sweden
Swedish
#743
American
French
#744
Scotland
Scottish
#749
American
English
#753
American
English
#754
American
Free man
#758
Spain
A variation of 'Herminia', often interpreted as 'the one who belongs to Hermes'
#758
Nigeria
A source of joy
#759
English
English
#763
Australia
derived from the name 'Linda', meaning 'beautiful'
#765
American
English
#766
American
English
#767
American
English
#769
English
English
#771
Spain
Bringer of joy
#773
American
English
#777
American
English
#778
American
a variation of Maesie or Maisie, which means 'pearl'
#780
American
English
#780
Welsh
like a lion
#780
Israel
of Magdala
#786
Greek
A name from the Greek word 'phullon', meaning 'leaf'.
#788
Lithuania
Lithuanian
#789
American
Cognate of Deana, meaning 'divine' or 'heavenly' in Latin.
#789
American
ruler of the army
#789
American
From 'Warren' which means 'watchman' or 'defender'.
#791
American
Latin
#792
Latin
Latin
#792
Hebrew
bitter
#793
American
Noble and sincere
#797
American
One who is a wise leader
#798
Scotland
From the glen
#801
American
English
#802
American
Star of the sea; bitter
#803
American
herb, plant
#804
American
Free man
#805
American
Light, bright, shining one
#806
Spain
battle glory
#809
American
little mermaid