If you love old-fashioned names, 1940s girl names offer a wonderful mix of classic, elegant, and familiar choices. Names such as Mary, Linda, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Nancy were especially popular among girls born in the United States during this decade.
The U.S. Social Security Administration lists the 200 most popular girl names from the 1940s. Its decade data is based on Social Security card application records and includes more than 14.8 million girl birth.
Below, you will find popular names from the decade, along with vintage choices that can work well for babies, fictional characters, family research, or retro-inspired projects.
Most Popular 1940s Girl Names
The following names come directly from the SSA’s decade list. They are arranged in the same historical order as the official 1940s data.
Top 25 1940s Girl Names
- Mary — 640,080 occurrences
- Linda — 531,660 occurrences
- Barbara — 425,271 occurrences
- Patricia — 411,412 occurrences
- Carol — 292,333 occurrences
- Sandra — 265,538 occurrences
- Nancy — 252,061 occurrences
- Sharon — 221,237 occurrences
- Judith — 218,037 occurrences
- Susan — 212,016 occurrences
- Betty — 194,623 occurrences
- Carolyn — 181,858 occurrences
- Margaret — 173,028 occurrences
- Shirley — 171,780 occurrences
- Judy — 167,719 occurrences
- Karen — 167,700 occurrences
- Donna — 165,523 occurrences
- Kathleen — 152,981 occurrences
- Joyce — 151,494 occurrences
- Dorothy — 132,257 occurrences
- Janet — 130,755 occurrences
- Diane — 122,878 occurrences
- Janice — 118,893 occurrences
- Joan — 117,708 occurrences
- Elizabeth — 116,551 occurrences
These figures represent occurrences in the SSA’s 1940s dataset, not a ranking of all girls born worldwide during the decade.
More Classic Girl Names From the 1940s
The decade had many names that now have a strong vintage feel. Some remained familiar for generations, while others became less common later.
Names Ranked 26–50
- Brenda — 112,415
- Gloria — 105,055
- Virginia — 99,000
- Marilyn — 98,977
- Martha — 95,384
- Beverly — 95,122
- Helen — 90,742
- Bonnie — 86,886
- Ruth — 85,666
- Frances — 85,448
- Jean — 80,363
- Ann — 76,797
- Phyllis — 76,143
- Pamela — 73,121
- Jane — 72,537
- Alice — 72,392
- Peggy — 72,122
- Cheryl — 70,959
- Doris — 64,144
- Catherine — 62,086
- Elaine — 60,105
- Cynthia — 58,061
- Marie — 57,521
- Lois — 56,854
- Connie — 56,604
The SSA data shows that the decade included both long-established classics such as Ruth, Alice, and Frances and names that feel especially mid-century, such as Cheryl, Pamela, and Connie.
1940s Girl Names Ranked 51–100
These names provide even more authentic options if you want something connected to the decade without using only the most famous choices.
Names 51–75
- Christine — 54,565
- Diana — 53,698
- Gail — 53,140
- Joanne — 51,655
- Rose — 51,643
- Wanda — 50,775
- Carole — 50,303
- Rita — 49,853
- Charlotte — 49,478
- Jo — 48,449
- Evelyn — 48,157
- Geraldine — 47,933
- Jacqueline — 45,559
- Ellen — 45,404
- Sally — 45,344
- Rebecca — 45,313
- Kathryn — 44,581
- Deborah — 44,054
- Norma — 43,030
- Suzanne — 41,405
- Anna — 41,282
- Sue — 40,943
- Darlene — 40,321
- Patsy — 40,282
- Joann — 40,015
Names 76–100
- Sarah — 39,977
- Katherine — 39,912
- Paula — 39,044
- Annie — 38,714
- Louise — 38,665
- Roberta — 38,051
- Sylvia — 37,288
- Anne — 36,146
- Theresa — 35,789
- Sheila — 35,740
- Maria — 35,571
- Laura — 35,071
- Kathy — 34,766
- Eileen — 34,695
- Marcia — 34,397
- Rosemary — 34,297
- Glenda — 33,348
- Dolores — 33,099
- Mildred — 33,071
- Lorraine — 33,047
- Marjorie — 32,901
- Sherry — 32,759
- Kay — 32,654
- Anita — 32,531
- Dianne — 32,296
These names are also part of the SSA’s official 1940s top-200 list.
1940s Girl Names Ranked 101–150
If you want a name that feels genuinely historical but is less obvious than Mary or Linda, this group offers many interesting choices.
Names 101–125
- Ruby — 31,872
- Irene — 31,822
- Juanita — 30,443
- Maureen — 30,262
- Loretta — 30,121
- Jeanne — 30,117
- Constance — 29,912
- Lynn — 29,387
- Marlene — 29,295
- Arlene — 29,093
- Delores — 28,504
- Lynda — 27,952
- Julia — 27,891
- Marsha — 27,414
- Charlene — 26,782
- June — 25,168
- Jeanette — 24,727
- Edna — 24,699
- Josephine — 24,324
- Eleanor — 23,761
- Yvonne — 23,673
- Vicki — 23,493
- Vivian — 22,913
- Emma — 22,788
- Georgia — 22,393
Names 126–150
- Lillian — 22,315
- Edith — 22,149
- Pauline — 21,912
- Wilma — 21,192
- Victoria — 20,752
- Ethel — 20,582
- Lucille — 20,453
- Florence — 20,393
- Sara — 20,275
- Margie — 20,261
- Thelma — 20,229
- Clara — 20,028
- Audrey — 19,718
- Grace — 19,370
- Teresa — 19,329
- Annette — 19,179
- Claudia — 19,174
- Gladys — 19,063
- Julie — 19,035
- Marion — 18,490
- Gwendolyn — 18,344
- Priscilla — 18,125
- Willie — 18,098
- Esther — 17,639
- Eva — 17,561
The list includes several names that have experienced renewed interest in later generations, including Emma, Audrey, Grace, Clara, and Eva. Their presence in the 1940s data confirms that these names are not modern inventions, although their popularity has changed over time.
1940s Girl Names Ranked 151–200
The final section of the SSA’s top-200 decade list contains many distinctive vintage choices.
Names 151–175
- Andrea — 17,061
- Maryann — 17,053
- Bernice — 17,032
- Rosa — 16,796
- Hazel — 16,657
- Billie — 16,371
- Bertha — 16,225
- Gayle — 16,198
- Bobbie — 16,197
- Pat — 16,150
- Maxine — 16,070
- Marian — 16,041
- Ella — 15,977
- Paulette — 15,902
- Joy — 15,564
- Beatrice — 15,560
- Cathy — 15,550
- Lillie — 15,357
- Janis — 14,862
- Leslie — 14,856
- Ida — 14,291
- Lynne — 14,235
- Deanna — 13,739
- Faye — 13,711
- Terry — 13,698
Names 176–200
- Valerie — 13,694
- Emily — 13,409
- Rachel — 13,409
- Lucy — 13,128
- Janie — 13,119
- Penny — 13,113
- Jackie — 13,090
- Harriet — 12,925
- Regina — 12,713
- Rosalie — 12,587
- Alma — 12,401
- Angela — 12,256
- Vera — 12,189
- Jessie — 12,150
- Marianne — 11,946
- Stephanie — 11,936
- Jill — 11,865
- Mattie — 11,781
- Minnie — 11,736
- Caroline — 11,625
- Michele — 11,606
- Veronica — 11,528
- Patty — 11,417
- Rosie — 11,403
- Stella — 11,363
These figures come from the SSA’s 1940s decade dataset. The source was updated using a 100% sample of its records as of March 2026.
Best Vintage 1940s Girl Names for a Retro Feel
Not every name needs to be among the decade’s top choices to create a 1940s atmosphere. If you want a name that immediately feels classic, these are useful options.
Elegant Vintage Choices
- Elizabeth
- Margaret
- Catherine
- Eleanor
- Josephine
- Constance
- Virginia
- Jacqueline
- Marianne
- Beatrice
- Rosemary
- Victoria
These names have a formal sound and can work well for historical characters or anyone looking for a traditional vintage style.
Sweet and Feminine Choices
- Betty
- Peggy
- Judy
- Sally
- Annie
- Rosie
- Janie
- Penny
- Joy
- Faye
- Lucy
- Ella
Short names and familiar nicknames can give a character or baby name a softer, friendly feel.
Strong Classic Choices
- Barbara
- Patricia
- Judith
- Sandra
- Nancy
- Sharon
- Dorothy
- Martha
- Frances
- Helen
- Ruth
- Gloria
These names were established choices in the 1940s and remain recognizable today.
Unique 1940s Girl Names
If you want something less common today while keeping a genuine vintage connection, consider:
Distinctive Vintage Ideas
- Geraldine
- Darlene
- Loretta
- Marlene
- Arlene
- Juanita
- Delores
- Maxine
- Paulette
- Bernice
- Wilma
- Thelma
- Glenda
- Marjorie
- Rosalie
- Lynne
- Vera
- Alma
- Mattie
- Marian
These names appear in the SSA’s 1940s top-200 data, making them useful when authenticity matters more than modern popularity.
Short 1940s Girl Names
Short names can give a vintage name a simple and memorable feel.
Four-Letter and Short Options
- Mary
- Joan
- Jo
- Jane
- Jean
- Ruth
- Rose
- June
- Anna
- Anne
- Ellen
- Gail
- Kay
- Lynn
- June
- Faye
- Ella
- Joy
- Lucy
- Vera
Several of these names were among the SSA’s top 200 girl names for the decade.
1940s Girl Names That Still Feel Familiar
Some 1940s names have remained recognizable across many generations.
Timeless Choices
Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah, Anna, Catherine, Alice, Charlotte, Evelyn, Rose, Victoria, Julia, Emma, Audrey, Grace, and Caroline all appear in the SSA’s 1940s dataset.
These names can be useful if you want a vintage connection without choosing something that sounds strongly tied to one particular period.
What Made 1940s Girl Names Different?
The 1940s sit between two recognizable naming eras. Some names had already been popular for decades, while other choices became more characteristic of mid-century America.
Traditional Names Remained Important
Names such as Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Ruth, and Helen had long histories before the 1940s. They continued to appear frequently during the decade.
This shows that naming trends usually change gradually. A popular name does not suddenly disappear when a new decade begins.
Nicknames Were Common
The SSA list includes names such as Betty, Judy, Peggy, Sally, Kathy, Cathy, Janie, Rosie, and Patty.
This is useful when creating a historically styled character. A nickname can produce a different feel from the full formal version of the same name.
Newer Mid-Century Choices Also Appeared
Names such as Linda, Sharon, Sandra, Carol, and Brenda were prominent in the decade’s data. The yearly SSA rankings also show changes within the decade. For example, Mary was the leading girl name in several early and middle 1940s years, while Linda became the number-one name in 1949.
How Popular Were 1940s Girl Names?
The SSA’s decade data provides a useful historical snapshot.
There were 14,895,005 girl births in the dataset used for its 1940s top-name list. Mary was the most frequent girl name, with 640,080 occurrences, followed by Linda with 531,660 and Barbara with 425,271.
However, these figures should not be treated as worldwide birth statistics. The SSA data is based on U.S. Social Security card applications and has specific coverage limitations.
1940s Girl Names by Year
The decade was not completely uniform. The most popular names changed as the years passed.
Early 1940s
In 1940, the top five girl names were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Judith, and Betty. In 1941, Mary remained first, followed by Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Linda.
Middle 1940s
Mary continued to lead in 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, and 1946. Barbara, Patricia, Linda, and Carol frequently appeared near the top during these years.
Late 1940s
Linda became the number-one girl name in 1947, 1948, and 1949. Mary remained highly popular, while Patricia and Barbara also stayed near the top.
This shift is one reason a name’s specific year can matter when creating a historically accurate character.
How to Choose a 1940s Girl Name
The best choice depends on what kind of historical feeling you want.
For an Authentic Historical Character
Use names that were highly popular during the actual decade, such as:
- Mary
- Linda
- Barbara
- Patricia
- Carol
- Sandra
- Nancy
- Sharon
- Judith
- Susan
These names have strong statistical support in the SSA’s 1940s data.
For a Less Common Character
Choose names farther down the decade list, such as:
- Rosalie
- Alma
- Vera
- Bernice
- Maxine
- Paulette
- Marian
- Geraldine
- Priscilla
- Constance
These can still sound historically appropriate without using one of the most recognizable choices.
For a Classic Baby Name
If you want a vintage name that still feels familiar, consider:
- Elizabeth
- Charlotte
- Evelyn
- Alice
- Audrey
- Grace
- Emma
- Julia
- Caroline
- Victoria
These names combine historical use with a style that remains easy to recognize today.
1940s Girl Names for Historical Characters
For a fictional character born in the 1940s, the character’s exact birth year can help narrow the choice.
For example, a character born in 1940 could naturally have a name such as Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Judith, or Betty. Someone born in 1949 could plausibly be Linda, Mary, Patricia, Barbara, or Susan.
You can also match the name to the character’s personality without assuming that a name determines personality.
A formal character might have Elizabeth or Constance. A younger, friendly character might use Betty, Judy, Peggy, or Sally. A more distinctive fictional character might use Rosalie, Maxine, or Priscilla.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the most popular girl name in the 1940s?
Mary was the most popular girl name in the SSA’s 1940s decade data, with 640,080 occurrences.
2. What were the most popular girl names in the 1940s?
The leading names were Mary, Linda, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, Sandra, Nancy, Sharon, Judith, and Susan.
3. What is a good old-fashioned girl name from the 1940s?
Good historically grounded choices include Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Margaret, Dorothy, Helen, Ruth, Frances, Alice, and Elizabeth. All appear in the SSA’s 1940s data.
4. What girl names were popular in 1940?
The five leading girl names in 1940 were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Judith, and Betty.
5. What girl name was popular in 1949?
Linda ranked first among girls born in 1949, followed by Mary, Patricia, Barbara, and Susan.
6. Are 1940s girl names still used today?
Yes. Names such as Emma, Charlotte, Evelyn, Audrey, Grace, Caroline, Julia, and Victoria appear in the 1940s dataset and remain familiar names today. Their modern popularity, however, is separate from their historical 1940s usage.
7. What are some unique 1940s girl names?
For a less familiar vintage choice, consider Maxine, Bernice, Rosalie, Alma, Vera, Paulette, Geraldine, Thelma, Wilma, or Constance. These names appear in the SSA’s 1940s top-200 list.
8. Are these names specifically from the United States?
The historical popularity figures in this article are based on U.S. Social Security data. They should not be treated as rankings for every country or culture in the 1940s.
Conclusion
1940s girl names include a wide range of traditional, feminine, short, and distinctive choices. Mary, Linda, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, Sandra, Nancy, Sharon, and Judith were among the decade’s strongest names in U.S. Social Security data.
For a classic vintage style, names such as Elizabeth, Margaret, Alice, Ruth, Helen, and Frances are excellent historical choices. For something less expected, Maxine, Rosalie, Vera, Bernice, or Paulette offer a more distinctive 1940s feel.
The key is to match the name to the exact year and setting when historical accuracy matters.
Read more about!
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I’m Noah Wilson, a name enthusiast and writer at NamesProx. I enjoy researching and sharing creative, meaningful, and unique name ideas, from baby and pet names to character, fantasy, cultural, and business names. My goal is to make finding the perfect name simple, enjoyable, and useful for everyone.
