Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Massachusetts witnessed a surge in the popularity of some classic baby names. Mary, Patricia, and Barbara emerged as the top three names for baby girls, while Robert, John, and Richard were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless name that has been popular for centuries, continued to reign supreme in Massachusetts in 1939. Patricia and Barbara, two names that were gaining popularity in the 1930s, also found favor with parents. On the boys' side, Robert, John, and Richard were the go-to names for parents looking for traditional and strong names for their sons. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1939

In 1939, the most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts were Mary, Patricia, Barbara, Carol, and Judith. Mary was the most popular name with 1303 babies being given that name. Patricia came in second with 1179 babies, followed by Barbara with 1105 babies, Carol with 1035 babies, and Judith with 874 babies. These names were common and widely used during that time period in Massachusetts.

Mary

1303 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Patricia

1179 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Barbara

1105 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Carol

1035 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".
Judith

874 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Joan
846 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Nancy
744 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
495 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Elizabeth
489 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Dorothy
477 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ann
466 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) 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.
Sandra
426 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Beverly
400 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Janet
384 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Jean
348 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Marilyn
334 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".
Marie
321 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) 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.
Joyce
311 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Elaine
304 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1939) 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".
Helen
288 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1939

According to the data from 1939, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2601 babies given this name, followed by John with 2272 babies. Richard, William, and James were also popular names with 1870, 1422, and 1254 babies given these names, respectively.

Robert

2601 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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

2272 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Richard

1870 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

1422 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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

1254 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
1036 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Paul
976 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Joseph
952 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
790 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
George
709 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Edward
698 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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".
Donald
683 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
650 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Ronald
597 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Peter
445 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Francis
414 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) 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.
Michael
380 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Kenneth
372 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Arthur
362 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) 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.
Raymond
334 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1939) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".