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These vintage 1940s girls names are so popular right now

Did your favorite baby name make the list?

If there's one thing we know about baby names, it's that their popularity comes and goes in cycles. If a name peaked in popularity too recently — think the top '80s and '90s names, like Jessica and Jennifer — it's probably decreasing in popularity today. But Grandma's name? It's ripe for a reappraisal. Plus, people love honoring their grandmothers, more than themselves, with their baby names (as they should)!

These are the 1940s baby girl names that are experiencing the biggest comebacks today. While the names weren't invented in the '40s, they were all among the top 100 most popular names during the 1940s, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). In addition, they've all landed on the SSA's list of fastest-climbing names, the ones that took big jumps in popularity between last year and the year before, the most recent data available. (And for the completists out there, the names Linda, Martha, Maria, Rose and Catherine all ranked in the top 100 names in the '40s and increased in popularity last year, but with small jumps all by 10 places in rank or less.) For parents looking for a vintage name that still seems contemporary, try these on for size.

Marjorie

SSA rank in the 1940s: 96

SSA rank today: 822

Year-over-year increase in rank: 429 places

Meaning: "pearl"

Marjorie — as in ballerina Marjorie Tallchief, sister of Maria Tallchief — is actually the third fastest-climbing name of the year, sitting just behind two variants of the same name: Ailany and Aylani. And yet, it only just re-entered the SSA list of the top 1,000 baby names in 2024 — it fell off the list entirely in 2017. Talk about a comeback!

Deborah

SSA rank in the 1940s: 68

SSA rank today: 852

Year-over-year increase in rank: 116 places

Meaning: "bee"

Deborah, like actress Deborah Kerr, is another name that seemingly rose in popularity overnight. Since 2020, it's been hanging around at the bottom of the SSA top 1,000 names, sitting at No. 900 or lower. But then last year, it suddenly jumped more than 100 places in rank to make it to 852. Was it a fluke, or does it have what it takes to keep climbing?

Marilyn

SSA rank in the 1940s: 29

SSA rank today: 666

Year-over-year increase in rank: 76 places

Meaning: "drop of the sea," "bitter," "beloved"

Marilyn Monroe isn't solely responsible for the popularity of the name Marilyn in the 1940s — the name actually had its peak in 1937, years before Norma Jean started going by her stage name. But the name experienced steady popularity throughout the decade, unlike today, when it keeps bouncing between the 600s and the 700s on the SSA list. The volatility makes it hard to tell if the name is truly experiencing a re-emergence, but it definitely had a huge jump in rank between last year and the year before.

Judith

SSA rank in the 1940s: 9

SSA rank today: 832

Year-over-year increase in rank: 73 places

Meaning: "praised" or "woman of Judea"

Judith — as in Judith Anderson (right), who played the creepy Mrs. Danvers in the 1940 film Rebecca — is experiencing a resurgence thanks to parents who are looking for Biblical names that aren't yet overexposed. Its spot at the bottom of the SSA list means there aren't a million Judiths running around preschools — but it's 76-place jump in rank signals that could soon change.

Eileen

SSA rank in the 1940s: 89

SSA rank today: 593

Year-over-year increase in rank: 69 places

Meaning: "desired"

Though it barely made the top 100 names of the '40s, Eileen — as in stage actress Eileen Herlie — still had its peak in the decade, coming in at No. 68 in 1943. But, after bottoming out in 2010, when it was No. 838, it has been gaining steam, then losing steam, then gaining steam again, although the average has been trending upward. It remains to be seen if Eileen can continue this slow climb to overtake more of-the-moment, similar-sounding names, like Isla.

Sylvia

SSA rank in the 1940s: 65

SSA rank today: 361

Year-over-year increase in rank: 65 places

Meaning: "forest"

Sylvia, as in actress Sylvia Sidney, was already past its peak in the '40s, having reached its pinnacle in 1937, when it was No. 50 in rank. It's never fallen off the list entirely, but it started a slow, steady climb starting at around 2019 — which makes sense, since that's when nature-related baby names started to take off, a trend that's perfect for Sylvia, which means "of the forest."

Bonnie

SSA rank in the 1940s: 33

SSA rank today: 441

Year-over-year increase in rank: 61 places

Meaning: "beautiful"

Talk about a ride: Bonnie, as in recording artist Bonnie Baker, didn't even make the SSA list at all between 2003 and 2014. Since it re-entered the list, it's been on its way up, reaching No. 441 last year. This could be because names ending in -ie are getting hot: In addition to Marjorie and Bonnie, Scottie, Elodie and Lettie are all on the list of SSA fast risers.

Virginia

SSA rank in the 1940s: 28

SSA rank today: 510

Year-over-year increase in rank: 50 places

Meaning: "pure"

In addition to -ie names, -ia names are blockbuster right now: Think Olivia, Amelia and Sophia/Sofia, which are all currently in the top 10. That tide hasn't dragged Virginia, as in actress Virginia Mayo, all the way to the highest reaches of the SSA charts yet. The name has had its ups and downs since its lowest point in 2009, when it was No. 614, but it took a big, 50-place jump last year, which could signal that parents are choosing it as an alternative to the other, more common -ia names.

Cynthia

SSA rank in the 1940s: 47

SSA rank today: 826

Year-over-year increase in rank: 45 places

Meaning: "from Mount Kynthos"

The name Cynthia — as in the famed 1947 Elisabeth Taylor movie — means "from Mount Kynthos," which is where the goddess Artemis was born, giving the name a strong association with the moon. Today, celestial names are in vogue again, so it's no surprise that the name Cynthia has been climbing for the past three years (it's also no surprise given the popularity of Wicked star Cynthia Erivo). It's a good choice for parents who are looking for an alternative to more-popular Luna.

Louise

SSA rank in the 1940s: 80

SSA rank today: 540

Year-over-year increase in rank: 45 places

Meaning: "famous warrior"

In the '40s, the name Louise was in the top 100, and the name Eloise didn't rank at all. Now, the popularity is flipped: Louise, as in actress Louise Allbritton, is down at No. 540 (and didn't rank at all between 1991 and 2016), and Eloise is sitting pretty up at No. 64. Parents who think Eloise is flying too close to the sun can go for its more vintage, less popular counterpart.

Dorothy

SSA rank in the 1940s: 20

SSA rank today: 431

Year-over-year increase in rank: 31 places

Meaning: "gift of God"

Dorothy, as in the incomparable Dorothy Dandridge, is having a meteoric rise. Since 2011, it's risen nearly 500 places in rank, which is not bad for a name that didn't even make the SSA list at all between 2007 and 2010. It's a good choice for parents who like cute nicknames, like Dot or Dottie (another -ie name).

Frances

SSA rank in the 1940s: 35

SSA rank today: 379

Year-over-year increase in rank: 26 places

Meaning: "from France" or "Free man"

Frances, with its male homophone Francis, may be rising in popularity because more parents are looking to unisex and gender-neutral names. (In fact, the baby-naming website Nameberry notes that Frances and Francis were used interchangeably for both sexes until the 17th century.) Frances, as in actress Frances Gifford, could also be shortened to Frankie, which slots it right into trend of giving girls "nickname" names like Charlie, Billie or Stevie. Whatever the reason, the name has been climbing since 2022.

Nancy

SSA rank in the 1940s: 7

SSA rank today: 921

Year-over-year increase in rank: 21 places

Meaning: "grace"

Nancy, as in comedian Nancy Walker, was just shy of its peak in the '40s. It topped out at No. 6 in 1950. Recently, the name has threatened to enter into obscurity. It nearly fell off the list in 2022, when it was No. 993. But since that year, it's been on the upswing again, which means it could likely stick around for good.

Gloria

SSA rank in the 1940s: 27

SSA rank today: 654

Year-over-year increase in rank: 17 places

Meaning: "glory"

Like Virginia, Gloria, as in actress Gloria Swanson, was somehow missed by the -ia-name craze that vaulted Sophia and Olivia into the upper echelon of baby names. But, as those super-blockbuster names begin to burn out, it could be Gloria's time to shine.

Barbara

SSA rank in the 1940s: 3

SSA rank today: 860

Year-over-year increase in rank: 16 places

Meaning: "stranger"

Barbara, as in actress Barbara Payton, may have only jumped 16 places in rank between last year and the year before. But if you look at the last three years, it's climbed more than 100 places. That's impressive for a name that peaked in 1944 and has been on a slow decline ever since, until things started to turn around in 2022.

Ruth

SSA rank in the 1940s: 34

SSA rank today: 172

Year-over-year increase in rank: 15 places

Meaning: "friend"

Ruth, as in actress Ruth Roman, had its peak way before the '40s. It had its best year ever way back in 1909, when it was No. 4. But even through the '40s, it was a top-50 name — that's how strong its staying power was. Even when it bottomed out in 2006, it was still ranked pretty high, at No. 364. But, since then, it's been slowly crawling its way back up again, and this year made it to 172, with no signs of slowing down.

Margaret

SSA rank in the 1940s: 13

SSA rank today: 119

Year-over-year increase in rank: 13 places

Meaning: "pearl"

Margaret — as in Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress — is another name that never truly goes away. Even when it ranked at its worst, in 2011, it was still the 186th most popular name in the country. Since 2011, it's been working its way even higher, so now it stands at No. 119. It makes sense why it would stay so popular, since its wealth of nicknames — from Maggie to Peggy — means there's always something you can call a Margaret that'll make her sound of-the-moment.

Elaine

SSA rank in the 1940s: 46

SSA rank today: 369

Year-over-year increase in rank: 12 places

Meaning: "shining light"

For now, Elaine, as in actress Elaine Stritch, is supreme, ranking above similar names like Helene both now and in the 1940s. But there is an upstart coming to challenge Elaine for the crown: Helena. Helena didn't rank on the SSA list until this century, entering for the first time in 2020 at number 512. And while Elaine rose 12 places between last year and the year before, Helena rose 43 places and now ranks at No. 414. Can Elaine manage to stay ahead?

Jane

SSA rank in the 1940s: 40

SSA rank today: 269

Year-over-year increase in rank: 12 places

Meaning: "God is gracious"

Jane, as in actress Jane Wyman, is a 1940s name through-and-through, peaking at No. 35 in 1946. But Jane has also had an incredible run since 2006, and has risen more than 200 places since then. If slow and steady wins the race, Jane is sure to come out on top.

Annie

SSA rank in the 1940s: 79

SSA rank today: 191

Year-over-year increase in rank: 11 places

Meaning: "grace"

Annie — from Little Orphan Annie to Ethel Merman as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun — is a name that was definitely in the spotlight in the '40s, though it peaked way back in 1900, when it as the No. 11 name in the country. Today, Annie outranks similar names like Anne (No. 649) and Ann (No. 981) and has been climbing every year since 2018.