Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Minnesota saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Carol were among the top choices for baby girls, while Robert, James, and Richard were the most popular names for baby boys.

These names were not only trendy in Minnesota but also reflected the national trends of the time. Mary, for instance, had been the most popular name for baby girls in the United States for several decades. Similarly, Robert and James were among the most common names for baby boys in the country. It's interesting to note how these names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1939

In Minnesota, 1939, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 1054 babies given that name. Barbara came in second with 715 babies, followed by Carol with 697 babies, Patricia with 683 babies, and Sharon with 557 babies. These were the top five most popular baby girl names in Minnesota during that year.

Mary

1054 baby girls born in Minnesota (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

715 baby girls born in Minnesota (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

697 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".
Patricia

683 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Sharon

557 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) 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.
Judith
526 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
427 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Janice
406 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Shirley
405 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Darlene
373 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) 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.
Donna
367 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) 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.
Joan
362 baby girls born in Minnesota (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
355 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Janet
346 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Marilyn
338 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".
Beverly
331 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Sandra
315 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Margaret
296 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
290 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Betty
268 baby girls born in Minnesota (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1939

According to records from 1939, the most popular baby boy names in Minnesota were Robert, James, Richard, John, and David. Robert was the most popular name with a total of 1256 babies given that name. James came in second place with 1177 babies named that, followed closely by Richard with 1082 babies. John and David rounded out the top five with 1051 and 901 babies respectively given those names.

Robert

1256 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
James

1177 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

1082 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1051 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
David

901 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Donald
712 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
609 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Ronald
557 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gerald
535 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) 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
525 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Roger
524 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) 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".
Dennis
477 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) 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.
Charles
417 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Gary
416 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) 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.
Kenneth
393 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Larry
336 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) 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.
Michael
308 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Paul
260 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Jerome
244 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) named Jerome
The name Jerome is of Greek origin and means "sacred name" or "holy name". It is derived from the Greek name Hieronymos, which is a combination of the words "hieros" meaning "sacred" and "onyma" meaning "name".
Wayne
240 baby boys born in Minnesota (1939) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.