Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Minnesota saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary topped the charts as the most popular name for baby girls, followed closely by Carol and Barbara. These names were not only popular in Minnesota, but across the United States as well. Mary in particular has been a timeless classic and has consistently been a popular choice for parents throughout history.

For baby boys, the top three names were Robert, James, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name for boys in Minnesota in 1938, and it's easy to see why. This name has a strong and classic feel to it, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional name for their baby boy. James and Richard were also popular choices, with both names having a timeless and classic appeal. Overall, these names reflect the trends and preferences of parents in Minnesota during this era.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1938

According to records from 1938, the most popular baby girl names in Minnesota were Mary, Carol, Barbara, Patricia, and Sharon. Mary was the most popular name with 1010 baby girls given that name, followed by Carol with 716, Barbara with 710, Patricia with 646, and Sharon with 489. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

1010 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Carol

716 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".
Barbara

710 baby girls born in Minnesota (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

646 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Sharon

489 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Shirley
458 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Janice
442 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Beverly
367 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Joan
356 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Judith
349 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Janet
346 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Marilyn
345 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".
Nancy
339 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
337 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Betty
330 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Donna
329 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Darlene
322 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Darlene
The name Darlene means "darling" or "beloved" and is of English origin. It was first used as a given name in the early 20th century in the United States.
Margaret
307 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Marlene
268 baby girls born in Minnesota (1938) named Marlene
The name Marlene is a combination of the names Mary and Magdalene. It is of German origin and means "bitter" or "rebellious".
Sandra
263 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1938

In Minnesota in 1938, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, Richard, John, and David. Robert was the most popular name with 1273 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1193 babies. Richard, John, and David rounded out the top five with 1021, 1016, and 808 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

1273 baby boys born in Minnesota (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

1193 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

1021 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1016 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
David

808 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Donald
773 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
629 baby boys born in Minnesota (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
581 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gerald
577 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Thomas
512 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Roger
446 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Kenneth
409 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Charles
402 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Gary
363 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Dennis
362 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
George
261 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Larry
254 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Paul
251 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Dale
245 baby boys born in Minnesota (1938) named Dale
The name Dale means valley or dale, which is a piece of land between hills or mountains. It is of Old English origin and is often used as a masculine given name.
Michael
243 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.