Alabama's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Alabama witnessed a surge in baby names that reflected the traditional values and culture of the region. Mary, Betty, and Barbara were the most popular names for baby girls, while James, John, and Robert were the top choices for baby boys.

Mary, with its biblical roots and association with purity and virtue, was a clear favorite among parents in Alabama. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, also had a strong religious connotation and was a popular choice for its simplicity and charm. Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," was another name that gained popularity in the state, perhaps reflecting the growing diversity and migration patterns of the time. On the boys' side, James, John, and Robert were timeless classics that continued to dominate the baby name charts, with their strong and masculine connotations and historical significance.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1938

According to historical records, the most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1938 were Mary, Betty, Barbara, Dorothy, and Annie. Mary was the most popular name with 2191 babies given that name, followed by Betty with 1241 babies. Barbara was the third most popular name with 801 babies, while Dorothy and Annie were tied for fourth place with 732 and 731 babies respectively. These names reflect the popular trends of the time and may have been influenced by popular culture, family traditions, or religious beliefs.

Mary

2191 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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 (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

801 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Dorothy

732 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Annie

731 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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".
Shirley
628 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Martha
564 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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
415 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carolyn
382 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Doris
381 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Patricia
326 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Sarah
323 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Peggy
322 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Frances
295 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Willie
294 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Helen
290 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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
274 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Joyce
268 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Elizabeth
266 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Virginia
249 baby girls born in Alabama (1938) 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 1938

In Alabama, 1938, the most popular baby boy names were James, John, Robert, William, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2247 babies being given this name. John came in second place with 1181 babies, followed closely by Robert with 1168 babies. William was also a popular choice with 1135 babies, and Charles rounded out the top five with 990 babies given this name. These names were likely chosen due to their traditional and classic sound, as well as their popularity at the time.

James

2247 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1181 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Robert

1168 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
William

1135 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Charles

990 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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
828 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Billy
674 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
555 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Joe
475 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
George
470 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Thomas
469 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Jimmy
405 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jerry
396 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Donald
395 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
339 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Joseph
315 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Henry
309 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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.
Edward
270 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) 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".
Richard
254 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Frank
243 baby boys born in Alabama (1938) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".