Delaware's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of Delaware saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, followed by Barbara and Joan. These timeless names have been favorites for generations, and continue to be popular even today.

For baby boys, the top three names were Robert, John, and James. These classic names have stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents. Whether you prefer traditional or modern names, the top baby names of 1936 in Delaware offer plenty of inspiration for parents-to-be.

Most popular baby girl names in Delaware in 1936

According to the records of Delaware in 1936, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 102 occurrences. The second most popular name was Barbara with 76 occurrences, followed by Joan with 57 occurrences. Shirley was the fourth most popular name with 55 occurrences, and Patricia rounded out the top five with 51 occurrences.

Mary

102 baby girls born in Delaware (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

76 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Joan

57 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Shirley

55 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Patricia

51 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Betty
49 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy
39 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
39 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Phyllis
32 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Nancy
30 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Helen
26 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Carolyn
22 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) 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.
Janet
22 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Alice
21 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Marie
20 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Jean
20 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) 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.
Doris
20 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Dolores
19 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Virginia
19 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Elizabeth
19 baby girls born in Delaware (1936) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

Most popular baby boy names in Delaware in 1936

In Delaware, 1936, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, James, William, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 119 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 118 babies. James was third on the list with 112 babies, while William came in fourth with 107 babies. Richard rounded out the top five with 63 babies given that name. These names were likely chosen due to their classic and timeless appeal, as well as their popularity at the time.

Robert

119 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
John

118 baby boys born in Delaware (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

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

107 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Richard

63 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
60 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Donald
52 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Joseph
48 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
47 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
George
44 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Edward
33 baby boys born in Delaware (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".
Paul
30 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
David
29 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Frank
20 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Francis
19 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Francis
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.
Raymond
18 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Lawrence
17 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Lawrence
The name Lawrence is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". It has been a popular name throughout history and is often associated with strength, honor, and victory.
Albert
16 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Ronald
16 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Ralph
16 baby boys born in Delaware (1936) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".