Kansas's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of Kansas saw a surge in the popularity of classic and timeless baby names. Mary, Shirley, and Barbara were among the most favored names for baby girls, with parents opting for elegant and traditional options. Mary, in particular, was a clear favorite, with its enduring popularity making it one of the most beloved names of all time.

For baby boys, Robert, John, and Donald were the top choices for parents in Kansas. These names were popular across the country, reflecting a preference for strong and classic names that have stood the test of time. With their timeless appeal, these names continue to be popular choices for parents today, showcasing the enduring influence of traditional names in the world of baby naming.

Most popular baby girl names in Kansas in 1936

Based on the records of baby girl names in Kansas in 1936, the most popular names were Mary with 711 occurrences, followed by Shirley with 631, Barbara with 404, Betty with 356, and Patricia with 317. These names were commonly used by parents during that time, and they have remained popular over the years.

Mary

711 baby girls born in Kansas (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

631 baby girls born in Kansas (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

404 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Betty

356 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

317 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Carol
277 baby girls born in Kansas (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".
Donna
264 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Marilyn
258 baby girls born in Kansas (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".
Beverly
220 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Phyllis
192 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Joyce
191 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Nancy
189 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Dorothy
184 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Norma
177 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Virginia
151 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) 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.
Carolyn
148 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Margaret
147 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
146 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) 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.
Janice
132 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Doris
118 baby girls born in Kansas (1936) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.

Most popular baby boy names in Kansas in 1936

In Kansas during 1936, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Donald, James, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 728 babies given that name, followed by John with 548 babies, Donald with 543 babies, James with 515 babies, and Richard with 451 babies.

Robert

728 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
John

548 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Donald

543 baby boys born in Kansas (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James

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

451 baby boys born in Kansas (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
417 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
William
373 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Larry
298 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Ronald
278 baby boys born in Kansas (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
270 baby boys born in Kansas (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gary
264 baby boys born in Kansas (1936) 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.
Jerry
245 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Gerald
200 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
David
198 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Jack
192 baby boys born in Kansas (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
164 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Harold
162 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Don
140 baby boys born in Kansas (1936) named Don
The name Don is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "dunn," which means "brown" or "dark-colored." It is also believed to be a shortened version of the name Donald, which means "ruler of the world" in Scottish Gaelic. The name Don has been used as a given name for boys since the 19th century.
Thomas
138 baby boys born in Kansas (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
135 baby boys born in Kansas (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.