Idaho's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Idaho saw a surge in the popularity of classic and traditional names for newborn babies. Mary, Barbara, and Carol were the top three most popular names for baby girls, with Mary being the clear favorite. These names have a timeless appeal and have remained popular over the years, reflecting the enduring popularity of traditional names.

For baby boys, Robert, James, and Larry were the most popular names in Idaho in 1938. These names also have a classic feel and have been consistently popular over the years. Parents in Idaho seemed to favor strong, masculine names for their sons, with Robert and James being particularly popular choices. Overall, the names chosen by parents in Idaho in 1938 reflect a desire for traditional, timeless names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Idaho in 1938

In 1938, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Idaho with 156 babies being given that name. Barbara followed closely behind with 151 babies named after it. Carol was the third most popular name with 149 babies named after it. Sharon and Shirley were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 138 and 118 babies named after them respectively.

Mary

156 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Barbara

151 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Carol

149 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) 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".
Sharon

138 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) 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.
Shirley

118 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Patricia
106 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Donna
102 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) 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.
Betty
97 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Beverly
76 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Marilyn
70 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) 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".
Sandra
69 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Karen
65 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Helen
58 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) 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.
Nancy
57 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
54 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
52 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joyce
52 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Norma
48 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Dorothy
47 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carolyn
46 baby girls born in Idaho (1938) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Idaho in 1938

According to records from 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Idaho were Robert, James, Larry, Richard, and Gary. Robert was the most popular name with 253 babies given that name, followed by James with 183, Larry with 160, Richard with 157, and Gary with 146. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Robert

253 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
James

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

160 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) 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.
Richard

157 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Gary

146 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) 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.
John
134 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Ronald
119 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
116 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
114 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
David
108 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Charles
90 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Jerry
89 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) 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.
Kenneth
75 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jack
64 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
George
59 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Roger
56 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Gerald
55 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Wayne
53 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Dale
51 baby boys born in Idaho (1938) named Dale
The name Dale means valley or dale, which is a piece of land between hills or mountains. It is of Old English origin and is often used as a masculine given name.
Thomas
46 baby boys born in Idaho (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.