OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
1940s Name Generator
Popular Girls' and Boys' Names From the 1940s, US and UK, for Historical Characters
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How the 1940s Name Generator works
This 1940s name generator gives first and middle names that were popular for babies born in the 1940s, during the Second World War and the start of the baby boom. Choose female or male names for period fiction, retro characters and family history.
What the 1940s name generator uses
The first names come from the most popular names for babies born between 1940 and 1949 in the United States and Britain. Girls' names like Patricia, Barbara, Shirley, Carol and Judith peaked in this decade, while boys were dominated by James, Robert, John and William, with newer names like Gary, Larry and Ronald rising fast. Americans favoured short middle names like Ann, Mae, Lee and Wayne, which the generator adds as an option.
Nicknames and characters
The 1940s were full of nicknames. A Margaret was Peggy, a Barbara was Babs, and a boy might be Bud, Sonny or Butch for his whole life. Adding a nickname in quotes gives a wartime soldier, a factory worker or a swing dancer instant personality. Remember that a person born in the 1940s is in their eighties now, so these names suit grandparents in contemporary stories.
Other decades
Move forward with the 1960s name generator and the 1970s name generator, or back with the old-fashioned name generator.
FAQ
What were the most popular names in the 1940s?
In the United States the top names of the decade were James, Robert, John, William and Richard for boys, and Mary, Linda, Barbara, Patricia and Carol for girls. Britain was similar, with Margaret, Patricia and Jean high on the girls' list.
Is this a 1940s character name generator?
Yes. Every first name is a real one from the decade, and the surnames are common across US and British families of the time, so the results work as names for 1940s characters in film, fiction and games.
Are any 1940s names coming back?
A few are, mainly Margaret, Dorothy, Walter, Raymond and June, as parents look for vintage names. Names that peaked in the 1940s, such as Shirley, Judith and Gary, are still rare for babies now.
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