Alabama's most popular baby names in 1937

In the year 1937, the state of Alabama saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Betty, and Barbara were the most popular choices for baby girls, while James, John, and William topped the list for baby boys. These names were reflective of the cultural and social values of the time, with parents opting for classic and timeless names for their children.

Mary, a name with biblical origins, was particularly popular among parents in Alabama. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, was also a popular choice, as were Barbara and its variants, which were derived from the Greek word for "foreign." Meanwhile, James, John, and William were names with a long history of use in the English-speaking world, and were favored by parents for their strong and traditional connotations. Overall, these names were a reflection of the cultural and social values of Alabama in 1937, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1937

According to records from 1937, the most popular baby girl names in Alabama were Mary, Betty, Barbara, Shirley, and Annie. Mary was the most popular name with 2154 newborns given that name. Betty came in second with 1241 babies, followed by Barbara with 765, Shirley with 670, and Annie with 667. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

2154 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Betty

1241 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

765 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Shirley

670 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Annie

667 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Dorothy
639 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Martha
514 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Margaret
389 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
345 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Peggy
344 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Willie
320 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Sarah
313 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Carolyn
311 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Helen
309 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Ruby
308 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Ruby
The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.
Patricia
296 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Frances
281 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Elizabeth
269 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Joyce
250 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Virginia
240 baby girls born in Alabama (1937) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1937

Based on historical records, the most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1937 were James, John, William, Robert, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2254 babies being named James, followed by John with 1250 babies, William with 1222 babies, Robert with 1112 babies, and Charles with 1082 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures of the time, such as James Cagney, John Wayne, and William Powell. The popularity of these names is also reflective of the traditional and conservative values of the era.

James

2254 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1250 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
William

1222 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Robert

1112 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
Charles

1082 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Willie
924 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Billy
676 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
George
516 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Bobby
487 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Thomas
485 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Joe
465 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Donald
380 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jimmy
366 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jerry
323 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Henry
313 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
David
302 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Edward
283 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Joseph
264 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Walter
251 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Kenneth
242 baby boys born in Alabama (1937) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".