Louisiana's most popular baby names in 1938

Louisiana, known for its unique culture and rich history, has always been a hub for creativity and diversity. The year 1938 saw a surge in the number of newborns, and parents were spoilt for choice when it came to naming their little ones. The most popular baby girl names in the state were Mary, Barbara, and Betty, while the top baby boy names were James, John, and Robert.

Mary, a timeless classic, remained a popular choice for baby girls in Louisiana, followed closely by Barbara and Betty. On the other hand, James, John, and Robert were the top picks for baby boys, reflecting the influence of traditional and biblical names on Louisiana's naming trends. These names continue to be popular even today, and their enduring popularity is a testament to their timeless appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in Louisiana in 1938

According to records from 1938, the most popular baby girl names in Louisiana were Mary, Barbara, Betty, Shirley, and Dorothy. Mary was the most popular name with 1326 babies given that name, followed by Barbara with 698 babies, Betty with 693 babies, Shirley with 565 babies, and Dorothy with 499 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1326 baby girls born in Louisiana (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.

  2. Barbara

    698 baby girls born in Louisiana (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.

  3. Betty

    693 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Betty

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

  4. Shirley

    565 baby girls born in Louisiana (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.

  5. Dorothy

    499 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  6. Gloria

    298 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Gloria

    The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

  7. Joyce

    282 baby girls born in Louisiana (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.

  8. Patricia

    275 baby girls born in Louisiana (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.

  9. Carolyn

    220 baby girls born in Louisiana (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.

  10. Helen

    219 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) 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.

  11. Margaret

    214 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Margaret

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

  12. Annie

    207 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Annie

    The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".

  13. Marie

    196 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Marie

    The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.

  14. Rose

    195 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Rose

    The name Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.

  15. Geraldine

    192 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Geraldine

    The name Geraldine is of English origin and means "ruling spear".

  16. Martha

    184 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) 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.

  17. Elizabeth

    182 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Elizabeth

    Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

  18. Alice

    177 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Alice

    The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.

  19. Beverly

    173 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) named Beverly

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

  20. Doris

    173 baby girls born in Louisiana (1938) 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 Louisiana in 1938

In Louisiana in 1938, the most popular baby boy names were James, John, Robert, Charles, and Joseph. James was the most popular name with 1071 babies being named James, followed by John with 888 babies, Robert with 761 babies, Charles with 695 babies, and Joseph with 669 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

  1. James

    1071 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named James

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

  2. John

    888 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  3. Robert

    761 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  4. Charles

    695 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  5. Joseph

    669 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Joseph

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

  6. William

    508 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  7. Willie

    390 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Willie

    The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".

  8. Donald

    370 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Donald

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

  9. George

    366 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  10. Edward

    279 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) 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".

  11. Richard

    278 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Richard

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

  12. Thomas

    272 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  13. Henry

    254 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Henry

    The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.

  14. Louis

    242 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Louis

    The name Louis is of French origin and means "famous warrior" or "renowned fighter". It is derived from the Germanic name Ludwig, which is composed of the elements "hlud" meaning "famous" and "wig" meaning "warrior".

  15. Jerry

    240 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  16. David

    212 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.

  17. Ronald

    209 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Ronald

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

  18. Raymond

    208 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  19. Albert

    203 baby boys born in Louisiana (1938) named Albert

    The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".

  20. Paul

    200 baby boys born in Louisiana (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.