Indiana's most popular baby names in 1937

In the year 1937, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Shirley were among the most popular names given to baby girls, while Robert, James, and John topped the charts for baby boys.

These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether it's the timeless elegance of Mary or the strong masculinity of James, these names have a certain charm that has captivated parents for generations. It's no wonder that they remain popular choices for parents in Indiana and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1937

According to data from 1937, the most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Mary, Barbara, Shirley, Patricia, and Betty. Mary was the most popular name with 1437 babies given that name, followed by Barbara with 941, Shirley with 825, Patricia with 801, and Betty with 610. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1437 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  2. Barbara

    941 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  3. Shirley

    825 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  4. Patricia

    801 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  5. Betty

    610 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Betty

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

  6. Nancy

    607 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Nancy

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

  7. Carolyn

    532 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) 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.

  8. Carol

    517 baby girls born in Indiana (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".

  9. Marilyn

    465 baby girls born in Indiana (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".

  10. Phyllis

    445 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Phyllis

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

  11. Janet

    439 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Janet

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

  12. Sharon

    412 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) 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.

  13. Donna

    362 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  14. Beverly

    346 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Beverly

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

  15. Sandra

    343 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  16. Linda

    334 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Linda

    The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."

  17. Joyce

    329 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  18. Judith

    329 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  19. Janice

    329 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  20. Margaret

    310 baby girls born in Indiana (1937) named Margaret

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

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1937

According to data from Indiana in 1937, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, John, William, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 1658 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1501 babies. John came in third with 1154 babies named after him, while William and Donald rounded out the top five with 1070 and 1043 babies respectively.

  1. Robert

    1658 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  2. James

    1501 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) named James

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

  3. John

    1154 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  4. William

    1070 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  5. Donald

    1043 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) named Donald

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

  6. Richard

    1029 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) named Richard

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

  7. Charles

    882 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  8. Larry

    787 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  9. David

    719 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  10. Ronald

    694 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) named Ronald

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

  11. Jerry

    577 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  12. Thomas

    505 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  13. Paul

    449 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  14. Kenneth

    411 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) named Kenneth

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

  15. George

    403 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  16. Jack

    391 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) named Jack

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

  17. Joseph

    297 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) named Joseph

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

  18. Harold

    262 baby boys born in Indiana (1937) 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.

  19. Edward

    247 baby boys born in Indiana (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".

  20. Gerald

    239 baby boys born in Indiana (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.