California's most popular baby names in 1935

In the year 1935, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the most popular names were Barbara, Mary, and Shirley. These names were not only popular in California, but also across the United States. Barbara, a name of Greek origin meaning "foreign woman," was particularly favored by parents who wanted a name that sounded sophisticated and elegant. Mary, a classic name of Hebrew origin meaning "bitter," was also a popular choice for parents who valued tradition and simplicity. Shirley, a name of English origin meaning "bright meadow," was another popular name for baby girls in California in 1935.

As for baby boys, the most popular names in California were Robert, Richard, and John. Robert, a name of German origin meaning "bright fame," was a popular choice for parents who wanted a strong and classic name for their son. Richard, a name of English origin meaning "brave ruler," was another popular choice for parents who wanted a name that conveyed strength and leadership. John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," was also a popular name for baby boys in California in 1935, as it had been for centuries. These names reflect the trends and values of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1935

According to records from 1935, the most popular baby girl names in California were Barbara, Mary, Shirley, Patricia, and Joan. Barbara was the most popular name with 1522 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 1484 babies. Shirley, Patricia, and Joan were also popular choices with 1167, 1116, and 702 babies given those names, respectively.

Barbara

1522 baby girls born in California (1935) 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

1484 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Shirley

1167 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Patricia

1116 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Joan

702 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Carol
669 baby girls born in California (1935) 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".
Betty
662 baby girls born in California (1935) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Nancy
549 baby girls born in California (1935) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Marilyn
518 baby girls born in California (1935) 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".
Beverly
476 baby girls born in California (1935) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Margaret
472 baby girls born in California (1935) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
439 baby girls born in California (1935) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Donna
427 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Virginia
426 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Helen
425 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Dolores
380 baby girls born in California (1935) 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.
Gloria
375 baby girls born in California (1935) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Frances
364 baby girls born in California (1935) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Janet
329 baby girls born in California (1935) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Diane
303 baby girls born in California (1935) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1935

According to records from 1935, the most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, Richard, John, James, and William. Robert was the most common name with 2261 babies given that name, followed by Richard with 1738, John with 1533, James with 1286, and William with 1250. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures or historical figures at the time.

Robert

2261 baby boys born in California (1935) 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

1738 baby boys born in California (1935) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1533 baby boys born in California (1935) 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

1286 baby boys born in California (1935) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1250 baby boys born in California (1935) 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
1138 baby boys born in California (1935) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
772 baby boys born in California (1935) 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.
Ronald
756 baby boys born in California (1935) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
709 baby boys born in California (1935) 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.
George
675 baby boys born in California (1935) 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.
Frank
585 baby boys born in California (1935) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jack
470 baby boys born in California (1935) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Joe
449 baby boys born in California (1935) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Thomas
444 baby boys born in California (1935) 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.
Edward
440 baby boys born in California (1935) 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".
Raymond
416 baby boys born in California (1935) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Gary
412 baby boys born in California (1935) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Paul
404 baby boys born in California (1935) 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.
Kenneth
378 baby boys born in California (1935) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
350 baby boys born in California (1935) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".