Brenda is a name rarely heard today, but it was quite popular during the 1940s baby boom, thanks to the influence of socialite Brenda Frazier, known as the “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

Despite her wealth, Brenda faced challenges throughout her life, adding an intriguing layer to the name’s origin, which is believed to come from Old Nordic words meaning “sword” and “torch.

The name Janet was once quite popular, with 130,753 born in the 1940s. While its meaning, “God’s gracious gift,” likely appealed to parents, the name also saw a surge in popularity in 1947 when actress Janet Leigh made her impressive big-screen debut.

The popularity of the name Joan in the 1940s can be attributed to the legendary actress Joan Crawford, who was a major star of the era.

She won the Best Actress Oscar in 1945 for “Mildred Pierce” and was one of the highest-paid actresses of the decade. The name Joan also appealed to many due to its religious connotations.

The 1940s witnessed a surge in babies named Gloria, all thanks to the legendary actress Gloria Swanson. By that time, she had become one of Hollywood’s most famous women, admired by both women and men.

This popularity led to schools filled with girls named Gloria. The name’s appeal might also be attributed to its meaning of “honor” and “immortal glory.”

Elizabeth was a hugely popular girls’ name in the 1940s, largely due to Princess Elizabeth of York, born in 1926. This trend continued, with 116,541 Elizabeths born in that decade.

It gained even more popularity in the 1950s when Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, and it remains a well-liked vintage name today.

The name Donna has experienced a recent decline in popularity, falling off the top 1000 girls’ names list. However, in the 1940s, it was a top 20 name.

Donna is derived from the Italian language, meaning “girl” or “woman,” with the masculine equivalent being “Don,” a term often associated with figures like Don Quixote or mafia bosses.

Joyce, once a popular girl’s name in the 1940s, has an interesting history. Originally gender-neutral with Latin origins meaning “merry” and “joyous,” it was predominantly a boys’ name before the 1940s.

However, during that decade, it saw a surge in popularity among baby girls and consistently ranked in the top 20 baby names lists. Although less common for babies today, older generations are likely to know at least one person named Joyce.

Diane, once a highly popular name for baby girls, dropped out of the top 100 names list in 2015 after decades of prominence. Its heyday was in the 1940s and 1950s when it ranked as the 18th most popular name for girls in the United States in 1947.

Although there’s no direct link to famous individuals from that era, the actress Diane Keaton, born in 1946, might have contributed to its popularity.

The name Diane is derived from the Latin word “divinus,” meaning “divine.”

The name Mary, while not as popular as it once was, is still common among religious families and those carrying on family traditions. It held the number one spot for girls’ names from the 1890s to the 1950s due to its deep religious significance.

Though the exact meaning of Mary is uncertain, it’s believed to have Hebrew origins and can mean “beloved,” “bitter,” or “drop of the sea.”

The 1940s experienced both a baby boom and a rise in the popularity of the name Janice, which became the 22nd most popular baby name in the United States in 1941.

Surprisingly, there were no famous Janices in Hollywood, so the inspiration behind this trend is thought to be the people around parents at the time.

The name Janice, with its meaning of “God’s gracious gift,” held significant appeal, making it a beautiful choice for baby girls in the 1940s.

The name Susan, more traditional than modern variations like Susanna or Suzanne, was particularly popular during the 1940s. C.S. Lewis, the author of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” may have been inspired by its prevalence when naming the eldest daughter Susan in his books.

Susan, meaning “lily” in Hebrew, was dearly loved by parents in the 1940s and ranked as the fifth most popular girl’s name in the US in 1949.

The 1940s saw the start of a significant Irish immigration wave in the United States, with a major influx in the 1950s. Irish baby names, including Kathleen (originally “Caitlín” in Gaelic), gained popularity during this time.

Kathleen, meaning “pure,” resonated with Irish parents making a fresh start across the pond.

The name Carol was exceptionally popular in the 1940s, thanks to the talented women who graced the stage and screen during that era.

Figures like Carol Channing, Carole Lombard, and Carol Bruce were at the height of their careers, likely inspiring fans to name their children after them.

The name Carol, which means “joyful song,” further contributed to its appeal, and in 1941, it was the fourth most popular girl’s name in the United States.

The name Karen has experienced a dramatic change over time. Today, it’s often associated with negative connotations and memes. However, its origin can be traced back to the Greek word Aikaterine, meaning “pure.”

Karen was a popular vintage name in the 1940s, explaining the presence of many older women with this name today.

The name Dorothy’s popularity in the 1940s is hardly surprising. It was the era when Judy Garland achieved immense fame, starring in iconic films like “The Wizard of Oz.”

Parents were drawn to naming their babies after one of the most famous women of that time, as Judy Garland became a worldwide sensation.

In the 1940s, parents were inspired to name their daughters after Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s younger sister.

This vintage baby name offered a choice of three variations: Margaret, Margot, or Maggie, as Princess Margaret herself preferred to be called Margot.

In the 1940s, the name Shirley became exceptionally popular, largely due to the iconic Shirley Temple, even though she had left the acting world and entered politics.

In 1935, Shirley was the second most popular baby name in the United States, and it maintained its popularity into the mid-to-late 1940s.

The name Barbara, associated with older individuals like Barbra Streisand and Barbara Walters today, experienced a surge in popularity during the 1940s, thanks in part to the fame of Barbara Stanwyck.

At its peak, it became the second most popular girls’ name in the 1940s, with various nicknames like Barbie, Bebe, Babs, and Bobbie.

In addition to celebrity influence, the name Barbara was also embraced in religious circles, particularly in the Catholic faith, where Saint Barbara is revered as a protector against various dangers.b

After World War II, people sought more joy and fun in life, leading to playful variations in popular baby names. Carolyn became more popular than Carolines during this time.

The name Carolyn, with its meaning “song of happiness,” perfectly mirrored the late 1940s’ optimistic mood, as families wished for happiness in their lives.

The name Betty, popular for girls even today, saw a surge in the 1940s, possibly influenced by General Mills’ Betty Crocker. Whether chosen for the cake legend or its Hebrew meaning, “pledged to God,” this old-school name has a timeless charm.

Vivien enjoyed popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, largely thanks to the famous Hollywood actress Vivien Leigh. Its timeless elegance, literary connections, and potential for use as a unisex name contributed to its appeal during that era.

Judith, a name often linked to older generations today, was highly popular in the 1940s and even ranked among the top 10 girls’ names. Its appeal came from its religious connotations, as Judith is derived from the Hebrew Yehudit, meaning “woman from Judea.”

Interestingly, there were few celebrities with the name Judith in popular culture during the 1940s, indicating that the name’s popularity was driven more by its pleasing sound than celebrity influence.

In the 1940s, the name Sharon came in different spellings, including Sharon, Sharron, and Sharryn. It has Hebrew origins and means “plain,” often in reference to flowers, which made it a popular choice for girls.

While Sharon isn’t as popular as it once was, it’s been linked to notable figures like Sharon Stone and Sharon Tate.

In the 1940s, the name Nancy saw a surge in popularity, thanks to the well-known fictional character Nancy Drew.

Created by multiple authors under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene, the mystery novels featuring Nancy Drew captured the imagination of parents, who named their baby girls after her.

In 1940 alone, 20,000 baby girls were named Nancy, and this trend continued throughout the decade, making Nancy a once-trendy and cool name.

If you know people in their late 70s, there’s a good chance you might know a few Lindas.

The name Linda held the top spot for girls’ names for six consecutive years from 1947 to 1952, possibly influenced by a popular song by Buddy Clark with the same name.

Linda has positive connotations, meaning “pretty” in Spanish and “tender” in its German roots.

Sandra, now associated with Sandra Bullock, is a somewhat vintage name for a younger generation.

It was highly popular during the 1940s, ranking as the fifth most popular girl’s baby name in the United States in 1947 and remaining popular throughout the decade.

Sandra Dee, the famous actress, was born in 1942, at the height of this trend.

Patricia’s popularity has seen a significant decline over the years. Once a trendy name in the 1940s and 1950s, it ranked as the third most common name in the US in 1952.

However, its popularity started to dwindle in the 1950s, followed by a slow decline in the ’60s and ’70s, and a steeper one in recent years. In 2019, Patricia was the 938th most popular girls’ name.

In the 1950s, as parents began exploring nicknames and alternative spellings, the name Deborah remained a popular choice. While some adhered to the traditional spelling, making it the second most popular name in the United States, others opted for a slight variation.

The name Debra was not far behind and also secured a spot in the top 10 baby girls’ names of that decade. It became a battle of the Deborahs and the Debras!

The name Helen was popular during the 1940s and 1950s due to its timeless and classic nature, its association with cultural figures like Helen of Troy, and the influence of family tradition and celebrities with the name Helen.

These factors combined to make Helen a favored choice for baby girls during these decades.

The name Audrey was popular during the 1940s and 1950s, primarily due to the influence of the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn.

Her elegance, beauty, and Hollywood stardom made her a beloved figure, and many parents admired her, choosing to name their daughters after her.

The name Audrey’s classic and elegant qualities were also in alignment with the cultural trends of that era, making it a favored choice for baby girls.

The name Grace was popular in the 1940s and 1950s due to its classic and timeless appeal, its association with virtues and elegance, the influence of prominent figures like Grace Kelly, and the name’s cultural and religious significance.

These factors contributed to its popularity during that era.

The name Marilyn was popular during the 1940s and 1950s, largely due to the influence of the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn Monroe’s beauty, talent, and Hollywood stardom made her a beloved figure, and many parents chose to name their daughters after her.

The name Marilyn’s uniqueness, femininity, and sense of glamour, as well as its cultural impact, all contributed to its popularity during that era.

The name Lauren was popular during the 1940s and 1950s primarily because of its association with Hollywood celebrities like Lauren Bacall. It was admired for its timeless elegance, adaptability, and unisex appeal.

These factors contributed to its popularity during that era.

Ava was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, influenced by the iconic Hollywood actress Ava Gardner. Its timeless and classic charm, short and sweet sound, references in pop culture, and its potential for use as a unisex name all contributed to its widespread popularity during that era.

Ginger gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, influenced by the renowned Hollywood actress Ginger Rogers. Its uniqueness and spirited quality, along with its presence in film and literature, contributed to its appeal.

Today, it retains a vintage charm that appeals to those looking for distinctive names.