110 Old Fashioned Baby Names from the 1940s

Looking for a baby name that’s filled with hope, courage, renewal, and tradition? Our list of baby names for over 40s might be just what you’re looking for.

The 1940s were a defining moment in American history. The United States had emerged from the Great Depression and entered World War II. While some 16 million Americans served overseas in the war, women took on new roles in the workforce. Postwar America was considered a prosperous time because the GI Bill allowed a large number of new families to join the middle class. For many Americans, a new sense of hope was in the air, and after the war ended, a period of economic prosperity—even more so in the 1950s—was born.

Don’t forget culture—the 1940s were a period of rich and lasting cultural influence. Rosie the Riveter, Captain America, Disney’s Bambi and Dumbo all originated from this era. While radio is extremely popular, there has also been an exciting growth in the popularity of movies, especially comedies and musicals.

So, without further ado, we’ve compiled a list of the best baby names from this classic bygone era for you to consider for your little one.

Top 10 Baby Names of the 1940s

The great thing about 40s baby names is that they have a retro feel, but many are timeless and instantly recognizable today. They have a unique and historic feel. Here are some eye-catching baby names from the 1940s that you can’t go wrong with.

Arthur

• origin: British, Celtic
• significance: Bear
• Alternative spellings and variations: Art, Arti, Artur, Altaïr, Arturo, Artek, Arturis
• Celebrity with the same name:Tennis player Arthur Ashe, playwright Arthur Miller, novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, poet Arthur Rimbaud
• Peak of popularity: Prior to 1970, Arthur was among the top 100 boys’ names.
• interesting facts: The name first appears in reference to King Arthur in the 9th century Historia Brittonum

Audrey

• origin:Anglo-Saxon
• significance:noble power
• Alternative spellings and variations: Audra, Audrey, Audray, Dray, Dray, Dray
• Celebrity with the same name: Artist Audrey Flack, actress Audrey Hepburn, actress Audrey Meadows, novelist Audrey Niffenegger, scientist Audrey Starks, actress O Delitatu
• Peak of popularity: Ranked in the top 100 American girls’ names from 1921 to 1940; re-entered the top 100 in 2003 and topped the list in 2013, at No. 33.
• interesting facts: The name of the fictional heroine in the 1980s musical and film Little Shop of Horrors.

charlotte

• origin: French
• significance: strong and powerful
• Alternative spellings and variations: Charlie, Lottie, Lottie, Carlotta, Carlotta, Carlotta
• Celebrity with the same name: Charlotte, Princess of Wales, singer Charlotte Emma Aitchison (Charli XCX), author Charlotte Brontë, short story writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman, actress Charlotte Rampling, entomologist Charlotte Debonniere Taylor, American entomologist
• Peak of popularity: Ranked among the top 100 women between 1908 and 1952.
• interesting facts: Often linked to favorite children’s novels charlotte’s web By EB White

dorothy

• origin: English, Greek
• significance: god’s gift
• Alternative spellings and variations: Dora, Doretta, Dorothea, Dorothea, Dot, Dottie, Thea
• Celebrity with the same name: Actress Dorothy Dandridge, journalist Dorothy Day, science fiction author Dorothy Catherine Fontana, figure skater Dorothy Hamill, NASA mathematician Dorothy Vaughn
• Peak of popularity: Consistently in the top 100 in 1961 and in the top 10 from 1905 to 1939.
• interesting facts: Novel by L. Frank Baum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Published in 1900, classic film adaptation The Wizard of Oz Appeared in 1939.

Eleanor

• origin: French
• significance: shining light
• Alternative spellings and variations: Ellie, Ella, Ellie, Leonora, Leonora, Nella, Nellie, Nora
• Celebrity with the same name: Eleanor of Aquitaine, documentary filmmaker Eleanor Coppola, author and activist Eleanor Kirk, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
• Peak of popularity: Top 100 in 1942; re-entered the top 100 in 2014 and peaked at No. 14 in 2023
• interesting facts: When Eleanor of Aquitaine was born in the 12th century, she was apparently named “alia Aenor” (“the other Aenor”) in honor of her mother Aénor de Châtellerault

Harold

• origin: Old English
• significance: Heroic Leader
• Alternative spellings and variations: Howl, Harald, Haradul, Harold
• Celebrity with the same name: Baseball player Harold Baines, British politician Harold Baker, literary critic Harold Bloom, actor and director Harold Ramis
• Peak of popularity: Peaked at No. 12 between 1915 and 1921.

peter

• origin: English, Greek
• significance: rock
• Alternative spellings and variations: Pedro, Pedro, Pere, Petar, Piet, Pedro, Pietro
• Celebrity with the same name: Saint Peter, Russian Emperor Peter the Great, actor Peter Fonda, director Peter Jackson, actor Peter Sellers
• Peak of popularity: Ranked in the top 100 in 1996, peaking at No. 35 in 1955.

ruby

• origin: Latin, French
• significance: red gemstone
• Alternative spellings and variations: Ruby, Ruby, Rubiana, Ruby, Ruby
• Celebrity with the same name: Activist Ruby Bridges, actress Ruby Dee, politician Ruby Laffoon, comedian Ruby Wax
• Peak of popularity: Ranked in the top 100 before 1946 and re-entered the top 100 in 2013; its highest ranking was 22nd in 1911.

timothy

• origin:Greek
• significance: A man who glorifies God
• Alternative spellings and variations: Tim, Timmy, Timothy, Timothy
• Celebrity with the same name: St. Timothy, actor Timothy Dalton, actor Timothy Olyphan, NASCAR driver Timothy Peters
• Peak of popularity: Top 100 from 1943 to 2007; peaked at No. 11 from 1960 to 1967.

Vincent

• origin:Latin
• significance:conquer
• Alternative spellings and variations: Bito, Victor, Vito, Vittore, Vittorino, Vittorio
• Celebrity with the same name: Comedian Victor Borge, businessman Victor Chandler, Chinese-American doctor Victor Cao, writer Victor Hugo,
• Peak of popularity: Entered the top 100 again from 1910 to 1933, 1955 to 1971, and 1983 to 1992; peaked at No. 61 in 1963 and 1965.

Cute names from the 1940s

When you’re naming your baby, you usually want to pick a name that’s cute, sweet, and just right for your little angel. But you also want something that will age well with them. These 1940s names are spot on.

• Annette
• beatrice
• Benjamin
• calvin
• Charlie
• chester
• Dean
• Deanna
• Harvey
• Janet
• Jerome
• Joel
• kent
• leo
• Martha
• Oscar
• Pazzi
• penny
• Rossi
• Sally
• Stella
• Veronica
• Vivian
• wesley

Unique names from the 1940s

If you’re looking for a name that will help your child stand out from the crowd, you’re in luck. The 1940s were full of names that were both unique, meaningful and familiar. This is our top choice.

• Alma
• Bernard
• Bernice
• clarence
• Claude
• Curtis
• Duane
• Edith
• Ernest
• everett
• Florence
• Harriet
• hazel
• Louise
• Lyle
• Marion
• Minnie
• Morris
• Paulette
• selma
• vera
• Virgil
• Warren
• Weimar
• Yvonne

abbreviation for the 1940s

Sometimes you’ll want to pick a short name for your baby. These monosyllabic names are quick to say, but pack a punch when it comes to liveliness and depth.

• install
• clyde
• Dell
• count
• fred
• Gayle
• Jay
• let
• Jill
• jim
• Joan
• joy
• joyce
• June
• Kai
• Keith
• plum
• Lloyd
• Lynn
• mark
• ray
• Rose
• Roy
• Steve
• sue

Classic names from the 1940s

If you’re looking for a name that represents the 1940s, look no further. Not only do these names have a 1940s feel, but they still feel fresh even today.

• Alice
• Anne
• barbara
• Caroline
• charles
• Daniel
• david
• Elizabeth
• george
• Helen
• james
• simple
• John
• Joseph
• Linda
• Margaret
• Martha
• Mary
• Michael
• paul
• Rebecca
• Richard
• Robert
• Thomas
• William

10 Tips for Naming Your Child

• Choose a name that resonates with you
• If possible, try to choose a name that other people know how to spell and pronounce.
• Choose a name that fits your family’s emotions and culture
• If you’re considering a name that was popular years ago, make sure it’s still recognizable today
• Don’t let others decide what name you should choose – it’s your child and you have the final say
• Research the meaning, popularity and origins of the name you are considering
• If you can’t decide on a name, put your list aside for a few days and come back with fresh eyes
• Consider any possible nicknames the name might inspire
• Try to choose a name that is suitable for both children and adults
• Choose a name that you and your partner agree on; each of you should feel comfortable with the name

More baby name ideas

Check out these lists for more baby name inspiration: