All lists

Top Girl Names of the 1940s

The 1940s' favorites that still work beautifully today — with where each one ranks now.

50 names
  1. 1MaryBeloved, wished-for child#125 today
  2. 2LindaSoft, tender, Beautiful#902 today
  3. 3BarbaraForeign#968 today
  4. 4PatriciaNoblewoman#1,335 today
  5. 5CarolFree man#2,240 today
  6. 6SandraDefending men#1,208 today
  7. 7NancyGrace#965 today
  8. 8SharonPlain#1,251 today
  9. 9JudithWoman from Judea#788 today
  10. 10SusanLily, rose#1,085 today
  11. 11BettyMy God is an oath, my God is abundance#1,114 today
  12. 12CarolynFree man#1,222 today
  13. 13MargaretPearl#112 today
  14. 14ShirleyBright clearing#1,582 today
  15. 15JudyWoman from Judea#1,874 today
  16. 16KarenPure#1,281 today
  17. 17DonnaLady#1,963 today
  18. 18KathleenPeace, quiet#1,151 today
  19. 19JoyceMeans lord#1,072 today
  20. 20DorothyGift of God#421 today
  21. 21JanetGod is gracious#2,781 today
  22. 22DianeHeavenly, divine#2,611 today
  23. 23JaniceGod is gracious#2,520 today
  24. 24JoanYahweh is gracious#1,087 today
  25. 25ElizabethMy God is an oath, my God is abundance#17 today
  26. 26BrendaSword, prince#1,526 today
  27. 27GloriaGlory#655 today
  28. 28Virginia#525 today
  29. 29Marilyn#760 today
  30. 30MarthaThe lady, the mistress#712 today
  31. 31BeverlyBeaver stream#1,018 today
  32. 32HelenTorch, moon#461 today
  33. 33BonniePretty#396 today
  34. 34RuthFriend#173 today
  35. 35FrancesFrenchman#318 today
  36. 36JeanGod is gracious#2,117 today
  37. 37AnnGrace#1,076 today
  38. 38PamelaAll sweetness#2,242 today
  39. 39JaneGod is gracious#221 today
  40. 40AliceNoble kind#65 today
  41. 41PeggyPearl#8,366 today
  42. 42CherylDarling#4,367 today
  43. 43DorisDorian woman#2,896 today
  44. 44CatherinePure#313 today
  45. 45ElaineTorch, moon#304 today
  46. 46CynthiaWoman from Kynthos#1,015 today
  47. 47MarieBeloved, wished-for child#617 today
  48. 48LoisFamous warrior#1,666 today
  49. 49ConnieConstant, steadfast#3,067 today
  50. 50ChristineA Christian#1,273 today

Based on U.S. birth records, 1880–2025.