California's most popular baby names in 1933

In the year 1933, California saw a surge in the popularity of some classic baby names. Topping the list of baby girl names were Barbara, Mary, and Patricia, while for baby boys, Robert, Richard, and John were the most popular choices.

These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even today. While some may consider them traditional or old-fashioned, they have a timeless appeal that has made them enduring favorites among parents across generations. Whether you're looking for a classic name for your baby or simply curious about the trends of the past, these names offer a glimpse into the naming practices of California in the early 20th century.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1933

In California, 1933, the most popular baby girl name was Barbara with 1515 occurrences, followed closely by Mary with 1470 occurrences. Patricia ranked third with 962 occurrences, while Betty and Joan rounded out the top five with 763 and 730 occurrences respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical events of the time, such as the rise of Hollywood and the Great Depression.

Barbara

1515 baby girls born in California (1933) 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

1470 baby girls born in California (1933) 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

962 baby girls born in California (1933) 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

763 baby girls born in California (1933) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joan

730 baby girls born in California (1933) 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
594 baby girls born in California (1933) 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
517 baby girls born in California (1933) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Beverly
514 baby girls born in California (1933) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Margaret
483 baby girls born in California (1933) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Nancy
479 baby girls born in California (1933) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Gloria
464 baby girls born in California (1933) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Marilyn
454 baby girls born in California (1933) 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".
Carol
453 baby girls born in California (1933) 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".
Helen
443 baby girls born in California (1933) 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.
Virginia
441 baby girls born in California (1933) 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.
Dolores
389 baby girls born in California (1933) 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.
Joyce
378 baby girls born in California (1933) 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.
Donna
345 baby girls born in California (1933) 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.
Jean
311 baby girls born in California (1933) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Frances
306 baby girls born in California (1933) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1933

In 1933, the most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, Richard, John, James, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 2136 babies being named that, followed by Richard with 1548 babies, John with 1450 babies, James with 1239 babies, and William with 1186 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures at the time.

Robert

2136 baby boys born in California (1933) 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.
Richard

1548 baby boys born in California (1933) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1450 baby boys born in California (1933) 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.
James

1239 baby boys born in California (1933) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1186 baby boys born in California (1933) 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.
Donald
1157 baby boys born in California (1933) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
728 baby boys born in California (1933) 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
672 baby boys born in California (1933) 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
671 baby boys born in California (1933) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
657 baby boys born in California (1933) 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
566 baby boys born in California (1933) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jack
519 baby boys born in California (1933) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
472 baby boys born in California (1933) 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".
Thomas
459 baby boys born in California (1933) 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
426 baby boys born in California (1933) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Kenneth
392 baby boys born in California (1933) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
384 baby boys born in California (1933) 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.
Raymond
367 baby boys born in California (1933) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Joseph
321 baby boys born in California (1933) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Don
317 baby boys born in California (1933) named Don
The name Don is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "dunn," which means "brown" or "dark-colored." It is also believed to be a shortened version of the name Donald, which means "ruler of the world" in Scottish Gaelic. The name Don has been used as a given name for boys since the 19th century.