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
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
1946 Radio character: Corliss
1946 Radio panelist: Glenn
1946 Radio singer: Connee
1946 Actors: Charisse, Jorja, Peggyann, Teala, Ilona, Cornel
1946 Comics: Darlia
1946 Brand: Drene
1945
1945 News: Harolyn
1945 War: Victor, Victory
1945 Politics: Truman
1945 Movie characters: Sherida, Allida, Velvet, Marisela, Dorian
1945 Actors: Allyson, Van, Sharyn, Lauren
1945 Literary character: Amber
1944
1944 News: Sherianne
1944 Politics: Dewey
1944 Movie characters: Jade, Deirdre, Kit, Gehrig, Tessa, Dorinda
1944 Radio singer: Dyana
1944 Actors: Acquanetta, Turhan, Dusty
1944 Celebrity baby: Melodye
1943
Here are the names for 1943.
1942
1942 News: Arcilia, Dwala, Royalene, Carole, Landis, Oona
1942 War: Douglas, Macarthur, Dorie, Wavell, Wainwright, Pearl
1942 Movie characters: Jaynie, Aloma, Loxi, Bronwyn, Fiona, Eileen
1942 Actors: Rise, Donivee, Kaaren, Michele
1941
1941 Politics: Spessard
1941 Movie character: Nyoka
1941 Radio character: Portia
1941 Radio panelist: Gerard
1941 Actors: Gloriajean, Greer, Errol
1941 Literary character: Bronwen
1941 Comics: Raven
1941 Musician: Saford
1941 Celebrity baby: Jerilyn
1940
1940 News: Tatsuo
1940 Politics: Wendell, Willkie
1940 Movie characters: Scarlett, Suellen, Carreen, Melanie, Bonnie, Rhett, Maeve, Phronsie, Towana, Rebecca
1940 Actors: Lana, Vivien, Gloria, Laraine
1940 Song: Sierra
1940 Sports: Nile
1940 Brand: Janalene
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.