Names of US

Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Massachusetts witnessed a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. The top baby girl names that dominated the charts were Mary, Barbara, and Patricia. These classic names were a testament to the timeless appeal of traditional names that have been popular for decades.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and Richard. These names were a reflection of the strong and enduring qualities that parents wished to instill in their sons. It is interesting to note that these names have continued to remain popular over the years, proving that some names truly stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1938

Based on the records of baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1938, the top 5 most popular names were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Joan. Mary was the most popular name with 1275 babies given the name. Barbara came in second with 1206 babies, followed by Patricia with 1098 babies. Carol was the fourth most popular name with 1005 babies, and Joan was the fifth most popular with 848 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends during that time period.

  1. Mary

    1275 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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

    1206 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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

    1098 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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. Carol

    1005 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".

  5. Joan

    848 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

  6. Nancy

    717 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Nancy

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

  7. Judith

    607 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  8. Margaret

    533 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Margaret

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

  9. Dorothy

    499 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Dorothy

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

  10. Ann

    486 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Ann

    The name Ann is a variant of the name Anne, which is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor". The name has been popular throughout history and is often associated with strong and independent women.

  11. Elizabeth

    480 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

  12. Sandra

    428 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) 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.

  13. Beverly

    423 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Beverly

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

  14. Jean

    404 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

  15. Marilyn

    369 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) 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".

  16. Janet

    351 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

  17. Elaine

    342 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1938) named Elaine

    The name Elaine means "bright, shining light" or "torch" and is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French name Hélène, which is from the Greek name Helene, meaning "torch" or "corposant".

  18. Shirley

    341 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

  19. Helen

    338 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

  20. Joyce

    335 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1938

In Massachusetts in 1938, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2747 babies given that name. John came in second with 2201 babies, followed by Richard with 1788 babies. William and James rounded out the top five with 1380 and 1190 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Robert

    2747 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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. John

    2201 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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. Richard

    1788 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Richard

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

  4. William

    1380 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.

  5. James

    1190 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named James

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

  6. David

    1018 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.

  7. Joseph

    947 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Joseph

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

  8. Paul

    929 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.

  9. Edward

    739 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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".

  10. Thomas

    731 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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. Donald

    719 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Donald

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

  12. George

    708 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.

  13. Charles

    676 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.

  14. Ronald

    598 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Ronald

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

  15. Francis

    441 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Francis

    The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.

  16. Arthur

    404 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Arthur

    The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.

  17. Peter

    382 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) 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.

  18. Kenneth

    379 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Kenneth

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

  19. Raymond

    339 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Raymond

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

  20. Frank

    302 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1938) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".