Michigan's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, Michigan witnessed the rise of some classic and timeless baby names. Mary was the most popular baby girl name in the state, followed by Barbara and Patricia. Mary has been a popular name for centuries, and it continued to dominate the baby name charts in Michigan in 1938.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name in Michigan in 1938, followed by James and Richard. Robert is a classic name that has been in use for centuries, and it continued to be a top choice for parents in Michigan in 1938. James and Richard were also popular choices, reflecting the trend of traditional and timeless names.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Michigan in 1938 reflect a preference for classic and traditional names that have stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular today, and many parents still choose them for their children.

Most popular baby girl names in Michigan in 1938

In Michigan, 1938, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 2119 babies given this name. Barbara followed closely behind with 1815 babies named, while Patricia came in third place with 1602 babies given this name. Nancy and Carol completed the top five list, with 1143 and 1125 babies named respectively.

Mary

2119 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Barbara

1815 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Patricia

1602 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Nancy

1143 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol

1125 baby girls born in Michigan (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".
Shirley
994 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Joan
780 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Sharon
776 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Janet
773 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judith
735 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Joyce
728 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Betty
727 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Marilyn
677 baby girls born in Michigan (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".
Donna
676 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) 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.
Sandra
654 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Beverly
643 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Margaret
637 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
489 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth
489 baby girls born in Michigan (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.
Janice
461 baby girls born in Michigan (1938) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Michigan in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Michigan were Robert, James, Richard, John, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 3088 babies given that name, followed by James with 2342 babies. Richard, John, and William were also popular names with 2093, 1923, and 1725 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

Robert

3088 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
James

2342 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

2093 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1923 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
William

1725 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
Ronald
1431 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1405 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
1320 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
Thomas
1145 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
Charles
1037 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
Gerald
1015 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) 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.
Kenneth
852 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Larry
670 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
George
656 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
Joseph
643 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
593 baby boys born in Michigan (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".
Gary
548 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Paul
512 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
Michael
508 baby boys born in Michigan (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.
Raymond
487 baby boys born in Michigan (1938) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".