Delaware's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Delaware witnessed a significant number of newborns, and parents bestowed some of the most popular names of the time on their babies. The top baby girl names of that year were Barbara, Mary, and Patricia. These names were not only popular in Delaware but also across the United States. Barbara, which means "stranger" or "foreigner," was the most common name given to baby girls in Delaware in 1938, followed closely by Mary, which means "bitter" or "beloved," and Patricia, which means "noble" or "patrician."

For baby boys, the top names were William, Robert, and John. William, which means "resolute protector," was the most popular name given to baby boys in Delaware in 1938. Robert, which means "bright fame," was a close second, followed by John, which means "God is gracious." These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Delaware in 1938

In Delaware in 1938, the most popular baby girl name was Barbara with 109 babies being given that name. Mary was the second most popular name with 96 babies, followed by Patricia with 58 babies. Shirley was the fourth most popular name with 49 babies, and Doris was the fifth most popular name with 43 babies.

Barbara

109 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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

96 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Patricia

58 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Shirley

49 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Margaret

43 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
43 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Betty
37 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Nancy
34 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joan
33 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Dorothy
30 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Janet
30 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Marie
30 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Sandra
27 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Joyce
26 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Elizabeth
25 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Ruth
24 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Frances
24 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Virginia
23 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Joanne
23 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) named Joanne
The name Joanne is a variant of the name Joan, which is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Jean
21 baby girls born in Delaware (1938) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Delaware in 1938

In Delaware, 1938, the most popular baby boy names were William, Robert, John, James, and Charles. William was the most popular name with 143 babies being named that, followed closely by Robert with 139 babies. John was the third most popular name with 126 babies, James was the fourth with 108 babies, and Charles was the fifth with 82 babies. These names were likely chosen for their classic and timeless appeal.

William

143 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Robert

139 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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

126 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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

108 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

82 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Richard
65 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
62 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
61 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Joseph
51 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
37 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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
37 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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".
David
36 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Paul
34 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Ronald
31 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Francis
31 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Walter
26 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Kenneth
26 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Howard
19 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Howard
The name Howard means "brave heart" or "high guardian" and is of English origin.
Michael
18 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) 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.
Samuel
18 baby boys born in Delaware (1938) named Samuel
The name Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is a biblical name. Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Old Testament of the Bible.