110 Outdated Original Child Names From the ’40s

Searching for a child identify that attracts on hope, grit, renewal, and custom? Our record of 40s child names is likely to be simply what you’re trying to find.

The Nineteen Forties have been a defining second in American historical past. America had climbed out of the Nice Melancholy and joined World Battle II. Whereas some 16 million Individuals have been serving abroad within the conflict, girls took on new roles within the workforce. Postwar America is remembered as a time of prosperity because the GI Invoice allowed numerous new households to hitch the center class. For a lot of Individuals, there was a sense of renewed hope within the air, and after the conflict was over, a interval of financial posterity—that might enhance much more within the Nineteen Fifties—was born.

And don’t overlook tradition—the Nineteen Forties have been a time of wealthy and lasting cultural affect. Rosie the Riveter, Captain America, and Disney’s Bambi and Dumbo all originated on this period. Though radio was enormously widespread, films have been seeing an thrilling rise in recognition as nicely, particularly comedies and musicals.

So, with out additional ado—we’ve compiled an inventory of the perfect child names from this basic, bygone period so that you can contemplate to your infant.

High 10 Child Names from the Nineteen Forties

The wonderful thing about ‘40s child names is that they’ve a retro really feel, however many have endured recognition, and are immediately recognizable at this time. They’ve a novel and time-honored really feel to them. Listed below are some stand-out child names from the Nineteen Forties which you could’t go unsuitable with.

Arthur

• Origin: British, Celtic
• That means: Bear
• Various Spellings & Variations: Artwork, Artie, Artur, Artair, Arturo, Artek, Arturis
• Well-known Namesakes: Tennis participant Arthur Ashe, playwright Arthur Miller, novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, poet Arthur Rimbaud
• Peak Reputation: Arthur was among the many high 100 names for boys till 1970. It reached its peak at No. 15 between 1900 and 1912.
• Enjoyable Reality: The primary look of this identify is a reference to King Arthur within the ninth century “Historia Brittonum”

Audrey

• Origin: Anglo-Saxon
• That means: Noble power
• Various Spellings & Variations: Audra, Audre, Audrea, Dre, Drea, Drey
• Well-known Namesakes: Artist Audrey Flack, actress Audrey Hepburn, actress Audrey Meadows, novelist Audrey Niffenegger, scientist Audrey Stuckes, actress Audrey Tautou
• Peak Reputation: Ranked among the many high 100 American woman names from 1921 to 1940; rejoined the highest 100 in 2003, and reached its high rating in 2013 at No. 33.
• Enjoyable Reality: Title of the fictional heroine of the Eighties musical and film “Little Store of Horrors.”

Charlotte

• Origin: French
• That means: Sturdy and vigorous
• Various Spellings & Variations: Charlie, Lottie, Lotte, Karlotta, Carlota, Carlotta
• Well-known Namesakes: Princess Charlotte of Wales, singer Charlotte Emma Aitchison (Charli XCX), creator Charlotte Brontë, quick story author Charlotte Perkins Gilman, actress Charlotte Rampling, entomologist Charlotte De Bernier Taylor, American entomologist
• Peak Reputation: Ranked among the many high 100 for ladies between 1908 and 1952. The identify has change into widespread once more lately, rejoining the highest 100 in 2008 and rating as excessive as No. 3 lately.
• Enjoyable Reality: Usually related to the beloved youngsters’s novel Charlotte’s Net by E.B. White

Dorothy

• Origin: English, Greek
• That means: God’s reward
• Various Spellings & Variations: Dora, Doretta, Dorothea, Dorotea, Dot, Dottie, Thea
• Well-known Namesakes: Actress Dorothy Dandridge, journalist Dorothy Day, sci-fi author Dorothy Catherine Fontana, determine skater Dorothy Hamill, NASA mathematician Dorothy Vaughan
• Peak Reputation: Ranked among the many high 100 names by 1961, and was within the high 10 between 1905 and 1939.
• Enjoyable Reality: L. Frank Baum’s novel The Fantastic Wizard of Oz was revealed in 1900, and the basic movie adaptation The Wizard of Oz appeared in 1939.

Eleanor

• Origin: French
• That means: Shining gentle
• Various Spellings & Variations: Elle, Ella, Ellie, Leonora, Leonore, Nella, Nellie, Nora
• Well-known Namesakes: Eleanor of Aquitaine, documentary filmmaker Eleanor Coppola, creator and activist Eleanor Kirk, First Woman Eleanor Roosevelt
• Peak Reputation: High 100 by 1942; rejoined high 100 record in 2014, peaking at No. 14 in 2023
• Enjoyable Reality: When Eleanor of Aquitaine was born within the twelfth century, she was apparently named “alia Aenor” (“the opposite Aenor”) after her mom, Aénor de Châtellerault

Harold

• Origin: Outdated English
• That means: Heroic chief
• Various Spellings & Variations: Hal, Harald, Haraldur, Haroldo
• Well-known Namesakes: Baseball participant Harold Baines, British politician Harold Baker, literary critic Harold Bloom, actor and director Harold Ramis
• Peak Reputation: Peaked at No. 12 between 1915 and 1921.

Peter

• Origin: English, Greek
• That means: Rock
• Various Spellings & Variations: Peder, Pedro, Pere, Petar, Pete, Piedro, Pietro
• Well-known Namesakes: Saint Peter, Russian emperor Peter the Nice, actor Peter Fonda, director Peter Jackson, actor Peter Sellers
• Peak Reputation: High 100 by 1996, peaking at No. 35 in 1955.

Ruby

• Origin: Latin, French
• That means: pink valuable stone
• Various Spellings & Variations: Rubee, Rubi, Rubiana, Rubie, Rubey
• Well-known Namesakes: Activist Ruby Bridges, actress Ruby Dee, politician Ruby Laffoon, comic Ruby Wax
• Peak Reputation: High 100 till 1946, rejoined high 100 in 2013; high rating was No. 22 in 1911.

Timothy

• Origin: Greek
• That means: One who honors God
• Various Spellings & Variations: Tim, Timmy, Timót, Timothée
• Well-known Namesakes: Saint Timothy, actor Timothy Dalton, actor Timothy Olyphant, NASCAR driver Timothy Peters
• Peak Reputation: High 100 between 1943 and 2007; peaked at No. 11 between 1960 and 1967.

Vincent

• Origin: Latin
• That means: Conquering
• Various Spellings & Variations: Bittor, Viktor, Vítor, Vittore, Vittorino, Vittorio
• Well-known Namesakes: Comic Victor Borge, businessman Victor Chandler, Chinese language-American physician Victor Dzau, creator Victor Hugo,
• Peak Reputation: High 100 from 1910 to 1933, 1955 to 1971, and once more from 1983 to 1992; peaked at No. 61 in 1963 and 1965.

Cute Names From the Nineteen Forties

If you find yourself naming a child, you typically need to purpose for one thing cute and candy, one that matches your little cherub excellent. However you additionally need one thing that may age nicely with them. These Nineteen Forties names match the invoice excellent.

• Annette
• Beatrice
• Benjamin
• Calvin
• Charlie
• Chester
• Dean
• Deanna
• Harvey
• Jeanette
• Jerome
• Joel
• Kent
• Leo
• Marsha
• Oscar
• Patsy
• Penny
• Rosie
• Sally
• Stella
• Veronica
• Vivian
• Wesley

Distinctive Names From the Nineteen Forties

If you’re searching for a reputation that may assist your child stand out from the group, you’re in luck. The Nineteen Forties have been full of names which might be each distinctive, but additionally significant and acquainted. Listed below are our high picks.

• Alma
• Bernard
• Bernice
• Clarence
• Claude
• Curtis
• Duane
• Edith
• Ernest
• Everett
• Florence
• Harriet
• Hazel
• Louise
• Lyle
• Marion
• Minnie
• Morris
• Paulette
• Thelma
• Vera
• Virgil
• Warren
• Wilma
• Yvonne

Quick Names From the Nineteen Forties

Generally you need to give your child a quick, easy identify. These one-syllable names are fast to say, however they pack a punch in terms of liveliness and depth.

• Ann
• Clyde
• Dale
• Earl
• Fred
• Gail
• Jay
• Jean
• Jill
• Jim
• Joan
• Pleasure
• Joyce
• June
• Kay
• Keith
• Lee
• Lloyd
• Lynn
• Mark
• Ray
• Rose
• Roy
• Steve
• Sue

Basic Names From the Nineteen Forties

In the event you’re searching for a reputation that exemplifies the Nineteen Forties, look no additional. These names not solely have a spot-on Nineteen Forties really feel, however proceed to really feel recent even at this time.

• Alice
• Anne
• Barbara
• Carolyn
• Charles
• Daniel
• David
• Elizabeth
• George
• Helen
• James
• Jane
• John
• Joseph
• Linda
• Margaret
• Martha
• Mary
• Michael
• Paul
• Rebecca
• Richard
• Robert
• Thomas
• William

10 Suggestions For Naming Your Baby

• Select a reputation that resonates with you
• When attainable, attempt to decide a reputation that others will know easy methods to spell and pronounce
• Decide a reputation that matches your loved ones’s sensibilities and tradition
• If you’re contemplating a reputation that was widespread a few years in the past, be sure that it’s nonetheless recognizable at this time
• Don’t let others dictate what identify you must decide—that is your baby, and you’ve got last say
• Analysis the that means, recognition, and origins of the names you might be contemplating
• In the event you can’t resolve on a reputation, set your record apart for a couple of days after which come again with recent eyes
• Contemplate any attainable nicknames that the identify may encourage
• Attempt to decide a reputation that works nicely for each a small child and a grown-up
• Select a reputation that each you and your associate agree on; every of you must really feel snug with this identify

Extra Child Title Concepts

Take a look at these lists for extra child identify inspiration: