Indiana's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Indiana saw a surge in baby names that were traditional and timeless. The most popular baby girl names were Mary, Barbara, and Patricia, while the top baby boy names were Robert, James, and John.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, continued to hold its position as the most favored name for baby girls in Indiana. Barbara and Patricia, both of Latin origin, followed closely behind, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the list. On the other hand, Robert, James, and John, three classic and strong names, dominated the list of top baby boy names in the state, showcasing the preference for traditional and sturdy names among parents in Indiana in 1938.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1938

In Indiana, 1938, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1459 occurrences. Barbara came in second with 1028 occurrences, followed by Patricia with 834 occurrences. Nancy and Shirley round out the top five with 688 and 680 occurrences respectively. These were the most popular names for baby girls in Indiana during that year.

Mary

1459 baby girls born in Indiana (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

1028 baby girls born in Indiana (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

834 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Nancy

688 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Shirley

680 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Carolyn
636 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) 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.
Betty
626 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carol
586 baby girls born in Indiana (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".
Judith
576 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sharon
528 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Janet
512 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Sandra
501 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Marilyn
493 baby girls born in Indiana (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".
Linda
476 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) 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."
Donna
440 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Phyllis
419 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Beverly
394 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Joyce
363 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Janice
339 baby girls born in Indiana (1938) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Ruth
317 baby girls born in Indiana (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 Indiana in 1938

Based on the data from Indiana in 1938, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, John, William, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 1672 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1616 babies. John, William, and Richard were also popular choices with 1265, 1064, and 1044 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures, family traditions, and religious beliefs.

Robert

1672 baby boys born in Indiana (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

1616 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1265 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
William

1064 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Richard

1044 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
968 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
923 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Larry
917 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
David
833 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Ronald
810 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Jerry
676 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Thomas
557 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Kenneth
441 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
437 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
George
377 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Jack
368 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Joseph
315 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Gerald
264 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Michael
260 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Harold
258 baby boys born in Indiana (1938) 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.