Names of US

Indiana's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Indiana witnessed the arrival of many newborns who were given some of the most popular baby names of the time. For baby girls, Mary, Barbara, and Judith emerged as the top picks among parents, while for baby boys, James, Robert, and John were the most popular choices.

Mary, a classic name that has been popular for centuries, continued to reign supreme as the most favored name for baby girls in Indiana. Barbara, a name that was gaining popularity in the 1930s, also made it to the top of the list. Meanwhile, Judith, a biblical name that had been around for centuries, also found favor among new parents. For baby boys, James, a name of Hebrew origin that means "supplanter," was the most popular name. Robert, a name that means "bright fame," and John, a name that means "God is gracious," were also very popular choices among parents in Indiana in 1939.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1939

In Indiana in 1939, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with a total of 1278 babies being given that name. The next four most popular names were Barbara (873), Judith (859), Patricia (814), and Nancy (748). These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1278 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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

    873 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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. Judith

    859 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Judith

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

  4. Patricia

    814 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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. Nancy

    748 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Nancy

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

  6. Sharon

    630 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  7. Carolyn

    574 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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

    567 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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. Shirley

    565 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  10. Linda

    560 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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."

  11. Janet

    534 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Janet

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

  12. Sandra

    518 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  13. Betty

    516 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Betty

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

  14. Donna

    419 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  15. Marilyn

    409 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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".

  16. Judy

    403 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Judy

  17. Joyce

    394 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) 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. Beverly

    384 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Beverly

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

  19. Phyllis

    378 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Phyllis

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

  20. Janice

    356 baby girls born in Indiana (1939) named Janice

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

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1939

According to records from 1939, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were James, Robert, John, Larry, and William. James was the most popular name with 1643 babies being given that name. Robert came in a close second with 1568 babies, followed by John with 1245 babies. Larry and William rounded out the top five with 1069 and 1064 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and traditional appeal.

  1. James

    1643 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named James

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

  2. Robert

    1568 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  3. John

    1245 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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. Larry

    1069 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  5. William

    1064 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  6. Richard

    981 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named Richard

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

  7. David

    979 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  8. Charles

    824 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  9. Donald

    809 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named Donald

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

  10. Jerry

    770 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  11. Ronald

    721 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named Ronald

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

  12. Thomas

    584 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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

    436 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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

    432 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named Kenneth

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

  15. George

    377 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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

    325 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named Jack

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

  17. Michael

    314 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  18. Joseph

    313 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named Joseph

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

  19. Gerald

    259 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) 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.

  20. Gary

    252 baby boys born in Indiana (1939) named Gary

    The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.