Indiana's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of Indiana saw an influx of newborns with some of the most popular names of that time. For baby girls, Mary was the clear favorite, followed closely by Shirley and Barbara. Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew, has been a popular name for centuries and continues to remain so even today.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name, followed by James and John. Robert, which means "bright fame" in German, has been a popular name for centuries and continues to remain so even today. James and John, both biblical names, have also remained popular choices for parents throughout the years. These names not only reflect the cultural and historical significance of Indiana, but also the timeless appeal of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1936

In 1936, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Indiana with a total of 1370 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Shirley with 1115 babies, Barbara with 881 babies, Patricia with 785 babies, and Nancy with 649 babies. These were the top 5 most popular names for baby girls in Indiana during that year.

Mary

1370 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Shirley

1115 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Barbara

881 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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

785 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Nancy

649 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Betty
615 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carolyn
533 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Marilyn
521 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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".
Carol
456 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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".
Phyllis
455 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Joyce
347 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Sharon
332 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Beverly
328 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Janet
316 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joan
314 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Donna
309 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Norma
299 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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
282 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Martha
279 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Margaret
277 baby girls born in Indiana (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1936

Based on the data from 1936, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Robert, James, John, Richard, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 1524 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1470 babies. John, Richard, and Donald were also popular names, with 1147, 1034, and 1007 babies given those names, respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time.

Robert

1524 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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

1470 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1147 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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

1034 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald

1007 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
941 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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
818 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Ronald
648 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
563 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.
David
560 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Jerry
485 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Thomas
458 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Paul
425 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Jack
403 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
George
391 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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
333 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
285 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Harold
271 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.
Edward
238 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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".
Gerald
222 baby boys born in Indiana (1936) 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.