Illinois's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the most popular baby names in the state of Illinois were a mix of timeless classics and trendy new names. For baby girls, Mary was the top choice, followed closely by Barbara and Patricia. These names were all popular throughout the United States at the time, but they held a special significance in Illinois as parents sought to give their daughters names that were both familiar and distinctive.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, James, and John. These names were also popular across the country, but they had a special resonance in Illinois, where parents looked to traditional names that conveyed strength and reliability. Whether parents were drawn to classic names or more modern choices, the top baby names of 1938 reflected the hopes and dreams of a generation of Illinois families.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1938

According to records from 1938, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Nancy. Mary was the most popular name with 2734 babies given that name. Barbara came in second with 2524 babies given that name. Patricia was the third most popular name with 1955 babies given that name. Carol was the fourth most popular name with 1644 babies given that name, and Nancy was the fifth most popular name with 1340 babies given that name.

Mary

2734 baby girls born in Illinois (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

2524 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Patricia

1955 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Carol

1644 baby girls born in Illinois (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".
Nancy

1340 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Shirley
1205 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Judith
1083 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Donna
994 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Joan
926 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Marilyn
917 baby girls born in Illinois (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
914 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Betty
912 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joyce
771 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Margaret
733 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
724 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Dorothy
712 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Beverly
673 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Sharon
657 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Phyllis
585 baby girls born in Illinois (1938) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Ruth
554 baby girls born in Illinois (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, James, John, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 3967 babies given that name, followed by James with 3085 babies, John with 2982 babies, Richard with 2538 babies, and William with 2386 babies. These classic and traditional names were popular choices for parents in Illinois during that time.

Robert

3967 baby boys born in Illinois (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

3085 baby boys born in Illinois (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

2982 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Richard

2538 baby boys born in Illinois (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2386 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Donald
1921 baby boys born in Illinois (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
1780 baby boys born in Illinois (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1660 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Thomas
1360 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
David
1314 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
George
1021 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Kenneth
1005 baby boys born in Illinois (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Edward
911 baby boys born in Illinois (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".
Joseph
881 baby boys born in Illinois (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Gerald
817 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Larry
813 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Paul
702 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Michael
676 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Jerry
648 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Frank
618 baby boys born in Illinois (1938) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".