Illinois's most popular baby names in 1937

In the year 1937, the state of Illinois saw an array of beautiful and classic names being given to newborns. Mary, a name of biblical origin, topped the charts as the most popular baby girl name in Illinois. This name has been a favorite among parents for generations and continues to be a popular choice even today. Following closely behind Mary were the names Barbara and Patricia, both of which exude a sense of elegance and sophistication.

For baby boys, the top three names were Robert, James, and John. These names have stood the test of time and remain popular choices even in modern times. Robert, a name of German origin, means "bright fame" and has been a favorite among parents for its strong and powerful sound. James, a name of Hebrew origin, means "supplanter" and has been a popular choice among parents for its classic and timeless appeal. John, another name of biblical origin, means "God is gracious" and has been a favorite among parents for its simplicity and elegance.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1937

In 1937, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Illinois with 2771 babies being named Mary. Barbara was the second most popular name with 2169 babies being named Barbara. Patricia was the third most popular name with 1962 babies being named Patricia. Carol was the fourth most popular name with 1490 babies being named Carol. Shirley was the fifth most popular name with 1291 babies being named Shirley.

Mary

2771 baby girls born in Illinois (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

2169 baby girls born in Illinois (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

1962 baby girls born in Illinois (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

1490 baby girls born in Illinois (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

1291 baby girls born in Illinois (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
1181 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Betty
980 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joan
978 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Marilyn
857 baby girls born in Illinois (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".
Donna
831 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Dorothy
789 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joyce
730 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Margaret
676 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Sandra
650 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) 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.
Beverly
607 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Janet
598 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judith
597 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Ruth
575 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) 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.
Phyllis
538 baby girls born in Illinois (1937) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Helen
492 baby girls born in Illinois (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1937

In Illinois in the year 1937, the most popular names for baby boys were Robert, James, John, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name, with 3952 babies given that name. James and John were also quite popular, with 2961 and 2882 babies given those names, respectively. Richard and William rounded out the top five, with 2388 and 2219 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time, as well as traditional family naming patterns.

Robert

3952 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
James

2961 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

2882 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Richard

2388 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2219 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Donald
2041 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
1671 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1571 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Thomas
1224 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
David
1211 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
George
981 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Kenneth
948 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Edward
918 baby boys born in Illinois (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".
Joseph
876 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Gerald
703 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) 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.
Larry
668 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Paul
655 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Raymond
632 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Frank
591 baby boys born in Illinois (1937) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jerry
549 baby boys born in Illinois (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.