California's most popular baby names in 1937

In the year 1937, California saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, which has been a popular name for centuries, topped the list of most popular baby girl names in the state. Barbara and Patricia followed closely behind, both of which were also popular names during that time period.

For baby boys, the names Robert, Richard, and John were the most commonly chosen. These names also have a long history of popularity and are still commonly used today. It is interesting to note that many of these names have remained popular over the years, showing that classic names never truly go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1937

In California, 1937, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1712 babies given that name. Barbara came in second with 1601 babies named that, followed by Patricia with 1252 babies, Carol with 1015 babies, and Shirley with 733 babies. These were the top five most popular baby girl names in California in 1937.

Mary

1712 baby girls born in California (1937) 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

1601 baby girls born in California (1937) 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

1252 baby girls born in California (1937) 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

1015 baby girls born in California (1937) 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

733 baby girls born in California (1937) 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.
Nancy
677 baby girls born in California (1937) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Betty
661 baby girls born in California (1937) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joan
627 baby girls born in California (1937) 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.
Donna
601 baby girls born in California (1937) 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.
Beverly
576 baby girls born in California (1937) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Margaret
567 baby girls born in California (1937) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Marilyn
558 baby girls born in California (1937) 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".
Virginia
454 baby girls born in California (1937) 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.
Dorothy
450 baby girls born in California (1937) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Diane
437 baby girls born in California (1937) 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".
Helen
433 baby girls born in California (1937) 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.
Joyce
429 baby girls born in California (1937) 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.
Carolyn
418 baby girls born in California (1937) 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.
Sharon
416 baby girls born in California (1937) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Gloria
380 baby girls born in California (1937) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1937

According to records from 1937, the most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, Richard, John, James, and William. Robert was the most popular name, with 2886 babies given that name, followed by Richard with 1975 babies, John with 1844 babies, James with 1546 babies, and William with 1402 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

2886 baby boys born in California (1937) 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

1975 baby boys born in California (1937) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1844 baby boys born in California (1937) 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

1546 baby boys born in California (1937) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1402 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.
David
1140 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.
Donald
1111 baby boys born in California (1937) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
974 baby boys born in California (1937) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
931 baby boys born in California (1937) 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
713 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.
Gary
650 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.
Edward
609 baby boys born in California (1937) 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".
Frank
607 baby boys born in California (1937) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Kenneth
605 baby boys born in California (1937) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
600 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.
Michael
541 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.
Jack
498 baby boys born in California (1937) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Paul
487 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.
Larry
481 baby boys born in California (1937) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Jerry
475 baby boys born in California (1937) 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.