Maine's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Maine saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among the top baby girl names were Patricia, Mary, and Judith, while the top baby boy names were Richard, Robert, and John. These names were the most common choices for parents looking to name their newborns that year.

While these names may seem traditional and common, they were undoubtedly meaningful to the families who chose them. Each name has its own unique history and significance, and it is fascinating to consider the reasons why these names were so popular in Maine during that time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Maine in 1939

According to records from 1939, the most popular baby girl names in Maine were Patricia, Mary, Judith, Barbara, and Sandra. Patricia was the most popular name with 232 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 211 babies. Judith came in third with 177 babies named that, followed by Barbara with 172 babies, and Sandra with 154 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as family traditions and personal preferences of parents.

Patricia

232 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Mary

211 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Judith

177 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Barbara

172 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Sandra

154 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Nancy
147 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
124 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Joan
113 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Shirley
109 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Joyce
95 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Carol
88 baby girls born in Maine (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".
Betty
85 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Margaret
82 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
80 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Jean
79 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Beverly
79 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Marilyn
78 baby girls born in Maine (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".
Elizabeth
78 baby girls born in Maine (1939) 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.
Jacqueline
76 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Jacqueline
The name Jacqueline is a French name that means "supplanter" or "one who takes the place of another". It is the feminine form of the name Jacques.
Lorraine
75 baby girls born in Maine (1939) named Lorraine
The name Lorraine is of French origin and is derived from the region of Lorraine in France. The meaning of the name is "from Lorraine" or "dweller of Lorraine".

Most popular baby boy names in Maine in 1939

In 1939, the most popular baby boy names in Maine were Richard, Robert, John, David, and William. Richard was the most popular name with 416 babies being given that name, followed closely by Robert with 401 babies. John was the third most popular name with 269 babies, while David came in fourth with 216 babies. William rounded out the top 5 with 188 babies being given that name. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless qualities, as well as their popularity at the time.

Richard

416 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Robert

401 baby boys born in Maine (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.
John

269 baby boys born in Maine (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.
David

216 baby boys born in Maine (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.
William

188 baby boys born in Maine (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.
James
186 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
184 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
149 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
139 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Roger
136 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Charles
134 baby boys born in Maine (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.
George
126 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Raymond
119 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Thomas
91 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Kenneth
87 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Peter
83 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Peter
The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common name in many cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, stability, and steadfastness.
Gerald
81 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Edward
78 baby boys born in Maine (1939) 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".
Wayne
78 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Joseph
67 baby boys born in Maine (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".