California's most popular baby names in 1932

In the year 1932, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the most popular names were Barbara, Mary, and Patricia. These names were chosen by parents across the state, reflecting a trend towards traditional and timeless names.

Similarly, for baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and Richard. These names were favored by parents who wanted to give their sons strong and classic names that would stand the test of time. Overall, the popularity of these names in California in 1932 reflects a desire for names that are both traditional and enduring.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1932

In 1932, the most popular baby girl names in California were Barbara, Mary, Patricia, Betty, and Joan. Barbara was the most popular name with 1656 babies given that name. Mary followed closely behind with 1498 babies named Mary. Patricia, Betty, and Joan were also popular names with 1009, 875, and 779 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends at the time.

Barbara

1656 baby girls born in California (1932) 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.
Mary

1498 baby girls born in California (1932) 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.
Patricia

1009 baby girls born in California (1932) 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.
Betty

875 baby girls born in California (1932) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joan

779 baby girls born in California (1932) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Shirley
607 baby girls born in California (1932) 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.
Dorothy
606 baby girls born in California (1932) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Beverly
598 baby girls born in California (1932) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Margaret
540 baby girls born in California (1932) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Marilyn
518 baby girls born in California (1932) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Helen
485 baby girls born in California (1932) 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.
Gloria
482 baby girls born in California (1932) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Nancy
478 baby girls born in California (1932) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Dolores
435 baby girls born in California (1932) named Dolores
The name Dolores is of Spanish origin and means "sorrows" or "pains". It is derived from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, which translates to "Our Lady of Sorrows". The name was popularized in the 20th century by the famous Mexican actress Dolores del Río.
Virginia
426 baby girls born in California (1932) 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.
Joyce
406 baby girls born in California (1932) 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.
Carol
367 baby girls born in California (1932) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Alice
354 baby girls born in California (1932) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Frances
316 baby girls born in California (1932) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Donna
313 baby girls born in California (1932) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1932

In 1932, the most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2308 babies being given this name. John came in second with 1622 babies, followed by Richard with 1575 babies. William and James were also popular choices with 1242 and 1197 babies respectively being given these names. These names have remained popular over time, with some variations in rankings.

Robert

2308 baby boys born in California (1932) 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.
John

1622 baby boys born in California (1932) 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.
Richard

1575 baby boys born in California (1932) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

1242 baby boys born in California (1932) 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.
James

1197 baby boys born in California (1932) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
1192 baby boys born in California (1932) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
847 baby boys born in California (1932) 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.
George
709 baby boys born in California (1932) 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.
Ronald
649 baby boys born in California (1932) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
631 baby boys born in California (1932) 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.
Frank
628 baby boys born in California (1932) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jack
519 baby boys born in California (1932) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
510 baby boys born in California (1932) 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".
Kenneth
448 baby boys born in California (1932) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joe
445 baby boys born in California (1932) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Raymond
428 baby boys born in California (1932) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Thomas
413 baby boys born in California (1932) 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.
Paul
343 baby boys born in California (1932) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Joseph
337 baby boys born in California (1932) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Albert
295 baby boys born in California (1932) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".