California's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of California witnessed a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborn babies. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the most popular baby girl names, while Robert, Richard, and John took the top spots for baby boy names.

Mary, a timeless name with biblical roots, was the most popular name for baby girls in California in 1936. Barbara, a name that has been around since the Middle Ages, came in second place, followed by Patricia, a name derived from Latin that means "noble." For baby boys, Robert, a name that has been popular for centuries and means "bright fame," was the most popular choice. Richard, a name that means "brave ruler," came in second place, followed by John, a name with biblical origins that means "God is gracious." These classic names continue to be popular choices for parents today, reflecting the enduring appeal of traditional names.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1936

In 1936, the most popular baby girl names in California were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Shirley. Mary was the most popular name with 1541 babies given that name, followed closely by Barbara with 1438 babies. Patricia, Carol, and Shirley were also popular choices, with 1132, 873, and 865 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

1541 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Barbara

1438 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Patricia

1132 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Carol

873 baby girls born in California (1936) 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".
Shirley

865 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Joan
736 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Nancy
607 baby girls born in California (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Betty
593 baby girls born in California (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Beverly
548 baby girls born in California (1936) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Marilyn
546 baby girls born in California (1936) 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".
Donna
505 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Margaret
492 baby girls born in California (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
469 baby girls born in California (1936) 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
432 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Dorothy
426 baby girls born in California (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Gloria
388 baby girls born in California (1936) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Joyce
380 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Dolores
355 baby girls born in California (1936) 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.
Diane
329 baby girls born in California (1936) 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".
Janet
325 baby girls born in California (1936) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1936

According to data from 1936, the top five most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, Richard, John, James, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 2545 babies given that name, followed by Richard with 1837 babies, John with 1745 babies, James with 1405 babies, and William with 1220 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

2545 baby boys born in California (1936) 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

1837 baby boys born in California (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1745 baby boys born in California (1936) 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

1405 baby boys born in California (1936) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1220 baby boys born in California (1936) 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
1137 baby boys born in California (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
834 baby boys born in California (1936) 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.
Charles
798 baby boys born in California (1936) 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
789 baby boys born in California (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
691 baby boys born in California (1936) 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
598 baby boys born in California (1936) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Edward
528 baby boys born in California (1936) 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
515 baby boys born in California (1936) 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.
Kenneth
483 baby boys born in California (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jack
448 baby boys born in California (1936) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Gary
436 baby boys born in California (1936) 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
405 baby boys born in California (1936) 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
387 baby boys born in California (1936) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Jerry
382 baby boys born in California (1936) 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.
Michael
380 baby boys born in California (1936) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.