Maryland's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the most popular baby names in the state of Maryland were Mary, Barbara, Patricia for girls and Robert, William, John for boys. Mary was the top baby girl name, which is not surprising as it has been a popular name for centuries. Barbara and Patricia were close behind, reflecting the trend of using traditional and classic names for baby girls.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name, followed by William and John. These names have also been popular for many years and continue to be so today. It is interesting to note that these names were also popular in other parts of the United States during the same time period, showing that certain names can become popular across the country.

Overall, the baby names in Maryland in 1938 reflected the traditional and classic naming trends of the time. These names continue to be popular today, showing that some names truly stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Maryland in 1938

In Maryland in 1938, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 890 instances, followed by Barbara with 595 instances. The third most popular name was Patricia with 431 instances, followed closely by Shirley with 428 instances. Margaret rounded out the top five with 307 instances.

  1. Mary

    890 baby girls born in Maryland (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

    595 baby girls born in Maryland (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. Patricia

    431 baby girls born in Maryland (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.

  4. Shirley

    428 baby girls born in Maryland (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. Margaret

    307 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) named Margaret

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

  6. Betty

    283 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) named Betty

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

  7. Nancy

    275 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) named Nancy

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

  8. Joan

    258 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) 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.

  9. Dorothy

    256 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) named Dorothy

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

  10. Elizabeth

    188 baby girls born in Maryland (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.

  11. Helen

    175 baby girls born in Maryland (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.

  12. Ruth

    157 baby girls born in Maryland (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.

  13. Jean

    153 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) 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.

  14. Doris

    151 baby girls born in Maryland (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.

  15. Frances

    149 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  16. Joyce

    145 baby girls born in Maryland (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.

  17. Beverly

    132 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) named Beverly

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

  18. Catherine

    131 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) named Catherine

    The name Catherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has various forms and spellings in different languages.

  19. Carol

    124 baby girls born in Maryland (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".

  20. Virginia

    124 baby girls born in Maryland (1938) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Maryland in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Maryland were Robert, William, John, James, and Charles. Robert was the most common name with 864 babies given that name, followed closely by William with 833 babies. John, James, and Charles were also popular choices with 787, 768, and 616 babies respectively named after them.

  1. Robert

    864 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  2. William

    833 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  3. John

    787 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  4. James

    768 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named James

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

  5. Charles

    616 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  6. Richard

    391 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Richard

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

  7. George

    375 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  8. Joseph

    362 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Joseph

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

  9. Donald

    328 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Donald

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

  10. Thomas

    321 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  11. Ronald

    295 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Ronald

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

  12. Edward

    280 baby boys born in Maryland (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".

  13. David

    236 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  14. Paul

    171 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  15. Kenneth

    165 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Kenneth

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

  16. Raymond

    141 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Raymond

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

  17. Walter

    135 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Walter

    Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".

  18. Harry

    119 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Harry

    The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".

  19. Michael

    117 baby boys born in Maryland (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.

  20. Howard

    106 baby boys born in Maryland (1938) named Howard

    The name Howard means "brave heart" or "high guardian" and is of English origin.