Indiana's most popular baby names in 1932

In 1932, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of some classic names for baby boys and girls. Topping the list of most popular baby girl names were Mary, Betty, and Barbara. These names have been favorites for generations and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

For baby boys, Robert, James, and Donald were the top picks. These names have also stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents looking for strong and traditional names for their sons. Whether you're looking for a classic name or something more unique, the top baby names of 1932 in Indiana offer plenty of inspiration for parents-to-be.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1932

In Indiana, 1932, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 1618 babies given that name. Following Mary were Betty with 1074 babies, Barbara with 991 babies, Patricia with 698 babies, and Marilyn with 528 babies.

Mary

1618 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Betty

1074 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

991 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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

698 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Marilyn

528 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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".
Dorothy
498 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Norma
458 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Joan
449 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Phyllis
423 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Helen
384 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Doris
380 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Ruth
372 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Shirley
358 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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
356 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Nancy
295 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Virginia
288 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Martha
286 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Donna
279 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Lois
277 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Joyce
274 baby girls born in Indiana (1932) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1932

In Indiana in 1932, the most popular baby boy name was Robert, with a total of 1849 babies given this name. The next four most popular names were James (1266), Donald (1138), Richard (1101), and John (1065). These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

1849 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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

1266 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald

1138 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard

1101 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1065 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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.
William
1047 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Charles
883 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Jack
542 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Paul
406 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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.
George
396 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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
372 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
358 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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
341 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Harold
333 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Ronald
298 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Joseph
289 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jerry
253 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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.
Edward
238 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) 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".
Ralph
232 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Carl
220 baby boys born in Indiana (1932) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.