Most Popular Baby Names in 1945

In this article we'll look at what the most popular baby names were for the year 1945. These names are taken directly from the Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States.

The table below shows the top 250 most popular baby names in 1945, with a total count for the number of births registered with that given name.

You can also use the links below to research more about the most popular baby names.

Top 1000 most popular boy names: 1-250 | 251-500 | 501-750 | 751-1000

Top 1000 most popular girl names: 1-250 | 251-500 | 501-750 | 751-1000

Boys Girls
Rank Name Count Name Count
1 James 74,460 Mary 59,281
2 Robert 69,940 Linda 41,462
3 John 66,117 Barbara 38,274
4 William 50,217 Patricia 35,840
5 Richard 46,042 Carol 30,387
6 David 37,107 Sandra 24,700
7 Charles 32,466 Nancy 21,456
8 Thomas 31,870 Sharon 20,836
9 Michael 29,901 Judith 20,190
10 Ronald 23,665 Susan 19,221
11 Larry 22,825 Betty 18,391
12 Donald 22,135 Carolyn 17,244
13 Gary 21,347 Judy 17,002
14 Joseph 20,819 Shirley 16,149
15 George 19,318 Margaret 15,685
16 Kenneth 18,093 Karen 15,678
17 Paul 16,992 Donna 15,397
18 Edward 15,870 Joyce 13,952
19 Dennis 14,990 Kathleen 13,802
20 Jerry 14,703 Dorothy 12,326
21 Frank 10,873 Janet 12,326
22 Roger 10,572 Diane 12,224
23 Raymond 9,856 Gloria 11,036
24 Daniel 9,707 Janice 10,783
25 Gerald 8,858 Joan 10,394
26 Stephen 8,638 Elizabeth 10,340
27 Walter 7,575 Marilyn 9,533
28 Harold 7,524 Virginia 9,242
29 Douglas 7,393 Brenda 9,204
30 Lawrence 7,165 Martha 8,748
31 Willie 7,025 Helen 8,301
32 Jack 6,854 Cheryl 8,150
33 Terry 6,834 Ruth 8,046
34 Arthur 6,800 Frances 7,940
35 Wayne 6,737 Bonnie 7,745
36 Joe 6,627 Jane 7,639
37 Henry 6,604 Beverly 7,619
38 Peter 6,483 Jean 7,428
39 Carl 6,313 Ann 7,037
40 Roy 6,184 Phyllis 6,530
41 Jimmy 6,155 Alice 6,357
42 Billy 6,018 Pamela 6,169
43 Steven 5,974 Diana 6,047
44 Ralph 5,786 Elaine 5,888
45 Johnny 5,701 Peggy 5,839
46 Anthony 5,685 Doris 5,819
47 Harry 5,651 Connie 5,337
48 Bruce 5,613 Lois 5,147
49 Albert 5,433 Marie 5,083
50 Eugene 5,164 Catherine 5,030
51 Fred 5,117 Carole 4,843
52 Alan 5,072 Gail 4,832
53 Bobby 5,051 Joanne 4,617
54 Howard 4,766 Rose 4,557
55 Louis 4,481 Charlotte 4,528
56 Danny 4,173 Geraldine 4,475
57 Leonard 4,122 Evelyn 4,377
58 Philip 4,110 Wanda 4,295
59 Stanley 4,059 Rita 4,283
60 Ernest 4,003 Jo 4,223
61 Dale 3,958 Ellen 4,188
62 Samuel 3,955 Christine 4,077
63 Patrick 3,855 Jacqueline 3,988
64 Russell 3,803 Sally 3,981
65 Norman 3,725 Kathryn 3,971
66 Bill 3,711 Sue 3,915
67 Ronnie 3,650 Paula 3,798
68 Jim 3,623 Suzanne 3,769
69 Mike 3,592 Annie 3,741
70 Timothy 3,591 Eileen 3,637
71 Earl 3,566 Darlene 3,626
72 Mark 3,545 Dianne 3,611
73 Don 3,484 Anna 3,607
74 Allen 3,481 Norma 3,601
75 Francis 3,449 Roberta 3,601
76 Tommy 3,448 Sarah 3,593
77 Frederick 3,436 Laura 3,589
78 Melvin 3,402 Louise 3,514
79 Steve 3,383 Rosemary 3,500
80 Marvin 3,294 Joann 3,465
81 Eddie 3,223 Anne 3,407
82 Clarence 3,193 Katherine 3,392
83 Leroy 3,175 Sylvia 3,375
84 Barry 3,138 Patsy 3,348
85 Phillip 3,081 Rebecca 3,331
86 Andrew 3,007 Maria 3,313
87 Lee 2,940 Lorraine 3,207
88 Tom 2,894 Marcia 3,206
89 Alfred 2,893 Sheila 3,179
90 Martin 2,823 Cynthia 3,126
91 Jeffrey 2,782 Kay 3,058
92 Ray 2,741 Glenda 2,962
93 Glenn 2,731 Mildred 2,959
94 Herbert 2,661 Marjorie 2,929
95 Victor 2,631 Ruby 2,906
96 Gregory 2,474 Theresa 2,896
97 Curtis 2,393 Irene 2,883
98 Bernard 2,389 Jeanne 2,860
99 Clifford 2,382 Arlene 2,772
100 Gene 2,373 Anita 2,766
101 Theodore 2,346 Kathy 2,753
102 Jimmie 2,293 Lynn 2,730
103 Lloyd 2,220 Dolores 2,704
104 Jesse 2,187 Sherry 2,676
105 Rodney 2,185 Maureen 2,672
106 Warren 2,184 Victoria 2,670
107 Bob 2,176 Loretta 2,658
108 Keith 2,163 Juanita 2,655
109 Gordon 2,147 Constance 2,600
110 Vincent 2,119 Marlene 2,527
111 Leon 2,098 Lynda 2,469
112 Jon 2,043 Delores 2,444
113 Brian 1,989 Marsha 2,423
114 Floyd 1,983 Charlene 2,388
115 Harvey 1,975 Julia 2,327
116 Leslie 1,975 Georgia 2,318
117 Edwin 1,949 Vicki 2,237
118 Vernon 1,934 Vivian 2,168
119 Franklin 1,895 Edna 2,152
120 Alvin 1,861 Josephine 2,145
121 Clyde 1,859 June 2,070
122 Jerome 1,840 Emma 2,053
123 Lewis 1,834 Jeanette 2,053
124 Calvin 1,797 Lillian 2,018
125 Jay 1,759 Pauline 1,977
126 Dwight 1,753 Andrea 1,934
127 Dan 1,726 Claudia 1,911
128 Charlie 1,725 Wilma 1,889
129 Tony 1,641 Lucille 1,885
130 Gilbert 1,623 Eleanor 1,876
131 Lester 1,618 Thelma 1,855
132 Jose 1,608 Edith 1,842
133 Johnnie 1,600 Yvonne 1,822
134 Craig 1,598 Ethel 1,817
135 Joel 1,597 Sara 1,803
136 Dean 1,585 Clara 1,799
137 Duane 1,582 Willie 1,777
138 Allan 1,581 Margie 1,764
139 Leo 1,580 Grace 1,745
140 Benjamin 1,562 Florence 1,730
141 Darrell 1,521 Gladys 1,708
142 Jackie 1,493 Leslie 1,704
143 Lonnie 1,463 Audrey 1,644
144 Chester 1,444 Maryann 1,609
145 Freddie 1,425 Marion 1,602
146 Herman 1,417 Eva 1,596
147 Arnold 1,407 Paulette 1,575
148 Glen 1,395 Rosa 1,575
149 Randall 1,393 Annette 1,574
150 Manuel 1,390 Bobbie 1,562
151 Nicholas 1,358 Gwendolyn 1,561
152 Cecil 1,355 Billie 1,556
153 Eric 1,351 Lynne 1,524
154 Milton 1,348 Pat 1,520
155 Ted 1,238 Julie 1,511
156 Lynn 1,217 Gayle 1,491
157 Neil 1,210 Bernice 1,473
158 Roland 1,185 Ella 1,472
159 Claude 1,165 Janie 1,470
160 Christopher 1,138 Esther 1,466
161 Sam 1,137 Deborah 1,463
162 Randy 1,107 Maxine 1,449
163 Wesley 1,107 Marian 1,447
164 Dave 1,077 Hazel 1,438
165 Garry 1,050 Bertha 1,427
166 Juan 1,012 Priscilla 1,412
167 Wallace 1,008 Lillie 1,404
168 Donnie 991 Joy 1,391
169 Elmer 970 Faye 1,376
170 Marshall 970 Beatrice 1,359
171 Hugh 961 Teresa 1,339
172 Willard 957 Jackie 1,261
173 Micheal 951 Ida 1,233
174 Sammy 949 Rachel 1,208
175 Jessie 941 Deanna 1,187
176 Oscar 938 Harriet 1,175
177 Maurice 912 Jill 1,158
178 Alexander 891 Lucy 1,145
179 Jonathan 881 Vera 1,143
180 Edgar 870 Marianne 1,139
181 Nathaniel 853 Emily 1,134
182 Scott 848 Dianna 1,133
183 Virgil 845 Penny 1,131
184 Marion 841 Janis 1,128
185 Sidney 829 Jessie 1,107
186 Everett 828 Rosie 1,096
187 Benny 821 Minnie 1,089
188 Earnest 807 Alma 1,080
189 Max 802 Valerie 1,079
190 Bennie 793 Bessie 1,075
191 Stuart 789 Mattie 1,072
192 Tim 779 Patty 1,059
193 Morris 773 Angela 1,057
194 Lyle 766 Sheryl 1,055
195 Guy 759 Veronica 1,034
196 Karl 759 Bernadette 1,016
197 Dick 758 Caroline 1,015
198 Matthew 730 Stella 993
199 Clifton 722 Jennifer 985
200 Carlos 719 Carrie 984
201 Ben 717 Regina 984
202 Kent 715 Elsie 977
203 Fredrick 708 Rosalie 975
204 Luther 708 Terry 950
205 Otis 706 Jacquelyn 949
206 Nelson 696 Michele 948
207 Kevin 689 Toni 948
208 Perry 683 Lana 946
209 Clinton 681 Johnnie 935
210 Gerard 681 Nellie 932
211 Jesus 663 Claire 916
212 Ira 659 Geneva 913
213 Carroll 647 Rosemarie 895
214 Randolph 645 Susie 891
215 Delbert 641 Dixie 883
216 Homer 641 Dora 882
217 Alex 639 Nina 882
218 Clayton 637 Carmen 872
219 Loren 623 Stephanie 871
220 Troy 614 Sandy 865
221 Marc 613 Jan 864
222 Hubert 609 Carla 862
223 Lowell 603 Velma 861
224 Tommie 602 Lydia 855
225 Horace 598 Mae 855
226 Terrence 598 Bonita 843
227 Laurence 591 Leona 843
228 Reginald 587 Nora 833
229 Wendell 587 Deloris 826
230 Antonio 586 Agnes 824
231 Neal 579 Cathy 824
232 Willis 579 Vickie 815
233 Frankie 578 Colleen 812
234 Pete 578 Beth 806
235 Rudolph 573 Naomi 797
236 Roosevelt 566 Jeannette 788
237 Byron 563 Madeline 782
238 Ruben 560 Christina 775
239 Oliver 558 Ernestine 772
240 Ross 555 Yolanda 771
241 Alton 553 Sharyn 768
242 Chris 551 Viola 765
243 Rodger 551 Alberta 763
244 Ron 545 Cora 750
245 Archie 544 Hattie 746
246 Mack 542 Francine 746
247 Truman 540 Dawn 745
248 Leland 540 Myra 737
249 Jeff 539 Antoinette 735
250 Wilbert 537 Trudy 728

What's in a (Popular) Name?

How do we know which baby names are hot each year? It's simple! The Social Security Administration collects data as parents register their newborns for a Social Security card. So, instead of waiting for the 10-year census, we get an annual update on the trending names!

Popular Baby Names vs. Popular First Names: Any Differences?

If you're wondering why the most popular baby names and the most popular first names aren't the same, remember: first names include everyone, not just babies. With 16.5% of the population over 65, names popular in their generation, like 'Archie' or 'Francine', still top the charts. As the birth rate declines, we won't see baby names like 'James' or 'Mary' topping the overall popular names list until the Baby Boomer generation decreases significantly.

What Factors Influence Baby Name Popularity?

Ever wondered how a name like 'William' or 'Sharon' hits the charts? It's not an exact science, but here are some cool factors:

Celebrity Influence

Americans adore their stars! A favorite celeb can influence baby names, so if you see more little 'Johns' or 'Lindas' running around, you might have a Hollywood A-lister to thank!

Character-Inspired Names

Bookworms and movie buffs often name their kids after beloved characters. If 'Richard' or 'Nancy' sound familiar, check out the latest bestseller or box-office hit!

Following the Trend

We humans are trend-followers. So, if a friend's baby 'David' or 'Judith' has a cute ring to it, don't be surprised if it catches on!

The Power of Recall

Names heard repeatedly stick in our minds. So if 'Ronald' or 'Patricia' are on repeat, you'll likely see them in the baby name charts.

Family Tradition

Some names like 'Charles' or 'Judy' stand the test of time, thanks to the tradition of naming babies after older relatives.

Religion and Politics

Religious texts and political figures inspire many parents. Evergreen choices like 'Thomas' or 'Sandra' show the lasting impact of religion and politics on baby names.

So, while we can't always predict why a name like 'Michael' or 'Elizabeth' becomes popular, these factors give us some fun insights into the ever-changing landscape of baby names!

Historical Data for Baby Names

If you're interested to see how the trends and popularity of baby names have changed, you can use the links below to view the historical data by decade.

Most popular first names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010

Most popular boy names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010

Most popular girl names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010

Data Source(s)

All of the data on this page is sourced from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and excludes any names with fewer than 5 occurrences in any geographic area.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spent a lot of time downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

  • "Most Popular Baby Names in 1945". NameCensus.com. Accessed on March 29, 2024. https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-1945/.

  • "Most Popular Baby Names in 1945". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-1945/. Accessed 29 March, 2024

  • Most Popular Baby Names in 1945. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-1945/.