Maryland's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Maryland saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Topping the list was the timeless name Mary, followed by Barbara and Patricia. These names reflect the influence of religion and family values in the state during that time period.

For baby boys, the most popular names were Robert, John, and William. These names also reflect the traditional values of the state, with a focus on strong, classic names that have stood the test of time. These names were likely chosen by parents who wanted to give their sons a sense of stability and strength in a world that was rapidly changing.

Overall, the popularity of these names in 1939 reflects a time when family and tradition were highly valued in Maryland. Today, these names may seem old-fashioned, but they continue to be used by parents who appreciate their timeless appeal and the sense of connection they provide to the past.

Most popular baby girl names in Maryland in 1939

In Maryland in 1939, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 847 girls given that name. The second most popular name was Barbara, with 498 girls given that name. Patricia came in third place with 422 girls given that name, followed by Shirley with 339 girls and Nancy with 326 girls. These were the top five baby girl names in Maryland in 1939.

Mary

847 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Barbara

498 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Patricia

422 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Shirley

339 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Nancy

326 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joan
298 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Margaret
288 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Betty
287 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy
228 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Elizabeth
181 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Catherine
181 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) 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.
Helen
163 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) 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.
Joyce
156 baby girls born in Maryland (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
155 baby girls born in Maryland (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".
Frances
144 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Carolyn
143 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Ruth
142 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) 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.
Doris
133 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) 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.
Beverly
126 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Janet
122 baby girls born in Maryland (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Maryland in 1939

In Maryland, 1939, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, James, and Charles. Robert was the most popular name with 838 babies given that name, followed by John with 817 babies, William with 801 babies, James with 757 babies, and Charles with 632 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and classic naming trends of the time.

Robert

838 baby boys born in Maryland (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

817 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
William

801 baby boys born in Maryland (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

757 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

632 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Joseph
386 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
383 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
374 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Donald
319 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Thomas
302 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Ronald
273 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
265 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Edward
239 baby boys born in Maryland (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".
Paul
168 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Kenneth
160 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Michael
146 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Walter
134 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Harry
127 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) 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".
Frank
127 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
122 baby boys born in Maryland (1939) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".