The baby names below saw sudden changes in usage during the 1940s thanks to the influence of historical events. I’ve written explanatory blog posts about some of them — please click the links to learn more!
To check out history-influenced baby names from other decades, visit the baby name timeline main page.
1949
1949 News: Rainell, Darrylin, Tighe, Randye, Ltanya
1949 Politics: Alben
1949 Movie characters: Fabienne, Judaline, Belinda, Lark
1949 TV/radio character: Aida
1949 Radio characters: Chuckie, Althea
1949 Actors: Kirk, Shelley, Lanny
1949 Literary character: Caresse
1949 Sports: Ezzard
1949 Celebrity baby: Yasmin
1948
1948 News: Gwyned, Sharman, Rolayne, Wrayanne
1948 Politics: Dewey
1948 Movie characters: Tisa, Lash, Darina, Catana, Scheherazade
1948 Actors: Viveca, Valli, Alida, Paget, Linda
1948 Comics: Sparkle
1948 Song: Lillette
1948 Sports: Doak
1947
1947 News: Cabrini
1947 Movie characters: Rissa, Rory, Miralee, Jody, Ginna, Bedelia
1947 Radio character: Carson
1947 Actors: Cyd, Deborah, Vanessa, Dana
1947 Sports: Mauri
1947 Model: Junellen
1946
1946 News: Jyme, Tondra, Cherylene
1946 Movie characters: Gilda, Ridgely, Francie, Veda, Sherry
1946 Radio character: Corliss
1946 Radio panelist: Glenn
1946 Radio singer: Connee
1946 Actors: Charisse, Jorja, Peggyann, Teala, Cornel
1946 Comics: Darlia
1946 Brand: Drene
1946 Beauty queen: Rhondda
1945
Here are the names for 1945.
1944
Here are the names for 1944.
1943
Here are the names for 1943.
1942
Here are the names for 1942.
1941
Here are the names for 1941.
1940
Here are the names for 1940.
More Names
Other historically significant baby names bestowed in the U.S. during the 1940s include Dawn Siren, D-Day, Dee Day, Invasia, Jesse Roper, Milton Berle, and Victory Pearl Harbor.