California's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the top three most popular names for baby girls in the state. Mary, in particular, held the top spot for the third year in a row, indicating its enduring popularity.

For baby boys, the top three names were Robert, Richard, and John. These classic names were favored by parents who sought strong, timeless names for their sons. It's interesting to note that these names have remained popular over the years, proving that some names truly stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1939

In 1939, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in California with 1699 babies given the name. Barbara was a close second with 1620 babies named Barbara. Patricia came in third place with 1509 babies given the name, followed by Carol with 1109 babies and Linda with 847 babies. These were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in California in 1939.

Mary

1699 baby girls born in California (1939) 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

1620 baby girls born in California (1939) 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

1509 baby girls born in California (1939) 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

1109 baby girls born in California (1939) 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".
Linda

847 baby girls born in California (1939) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Nancy
830 baby girls born in California (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sharon
793 baby girls born in California (1939) 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.
Joan
712 baby girls born in California (1939) 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.
Judith
702 baby girls born in California (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Betty
658 baby girls born in California (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
611 baby girls born in California (1939) 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.
Sandra
594 baby girls born in California (1939) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Donna
591 baby girls born in California (1939) 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.
Marilyn
584 baby girls born in California (1939) 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".
Margaret
583 baby girls born in California (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Judy
536 baby girls born in California (1939) named Judy
Diane
505 baby girls born in California (1939) 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".
Carolyn
480 baby girls born in California (1939) 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.
Virginia
480 baby girls born in California (1939) 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.
Beverly
478 baby girls born in California (1939) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1939

Based on the data from California in 1939, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Richard, John, James, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 2856 babies given that name, followed by Richard with 2123 babies, John with 2027 babies, James with 1870 babies, and William with 1528 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures of the time.

Robert

2856 baby boys born in California (1939) 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

2123 baby boys born in California (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

2027 baby boys born in California (1939) 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

1870 baby boys born in California (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1528 baby boys born in California (1939) 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
1398 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Ronald
1153 baby boys born in California (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
997 baby boys born in California (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
959 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Gary
932 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Michael
920 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
George
749 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Thomas
675 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Larry
663 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Kenneth
641 baby boys born in California (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
605 baby boys born in California (1939) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jerry
586 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Paul
570 baby boys born in California (1939) 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.
Edward
564 baby boys born in California (1939) 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".
Dennis
501 baby boys born in California (1939) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.