Indiana's most popular baby names in 1934

In the year 1934, parents in the state of Indiana had a clear preference when it came to naming their newborns. For baby girls, the most popular name was Mary, a timeless classic that has remained a favorite for generations. Following closely behind were Barbara and Betty, both of which were also popular choices for parents looking for traditional and elegant names for their little ones.

When it came to baby boys, Robert was the top choice for parents in Indiana in 1934. This strong and masculine name has been a popular choice for centuries and continues to be a favorite among parents today. James and Donald were also popular names for baby boys in Indiana during this time, offering parents a range of options when it came to selecting a name for their little bundle of joy.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1934

According to the records of 1934 in Indiana, the most popular names for baby girls were Mary, Barbara, Betty, Patricia, and Shirley. Mary was the most popular name with 1466 babies given that name, followed by Barbara with 977, Betty with 881, Patricia with 795, and Shirley with 671. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1466 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  2. Barbara

    977 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  3. Betty

    881 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  4. Patricia

    795 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  5. Shirley

    671 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  6. Carolyn

    466 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  7. Nancy

    453 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  8. Marilyn

    447 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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".

  9. Phyllis

    441 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) named Phyllis

    The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.

  10. Norma

    376 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  11. Dorothy

    371 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  12. Joan

    357 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  13. Carol

    345 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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".

  14. Helen

    317 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  15. Margaret

    304 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  16. Janet

    301 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

  17. Donna

    298 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  18. Ruth

    295 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  19. Beverly

    293 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) named Beverly

    The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

  20. Virginia

    288 baby girls born in Indiana (1934) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1934

According to the data from 1934, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Robert, James, Donald, Richard, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 1627 babies given that name, followed by James with 1464 babies. Donald, Richard, and John were also popular names with 1122, 1086, and 1036 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Robert

    1627 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  2. James

    1464 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  3. Donald

    1122 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  4. Richard

    1086 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. John

    1036 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  6. William

    939 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  7. Charles

    814 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  8. Jack

    476 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) named Jack

    The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".

  9. David

    435 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  10. Ronald

    430 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  11. Thomas

    418 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  12. Paul

    409 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  13. George

    381 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  14. Kenneth

    361 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  15. Jerry

    347 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  16. Harold

    280 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  17. Joseph

    269 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  18. Edward

    240 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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".

  19. Carl

    224 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.

  20. Larry

    210 baby boys born in Indiana (1934) 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.