Missouri's most popular baby names in 1934

In the year 1934, the state of Missouri witnessed a surge in popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Betty, and Shirley were the top choices for baby girls, while Robert, James, and Donald were the most popular names for baby boys.

These names were not just randomly chosen, but had significant meanings and historical roots. Mary, for instance, has been a popular name for centuries and is often associated with purity and grace. Betty, on the other hand, was a shortened version of Elizabeth, which means "God is my oath." Similarly, Robert and James were names that had been in use for centuries and had strong ties to religious and historical figures. Overall, these baby names reflected the cultural and historical influences of the time and continue to be popular choices even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1934

According to records from 1934, the most popular baby girl names in Missouri were Mary, Betty, Shirley, Barbara, and Patricia. Mary was the most popular name with 1796 babies given that name, followed by Betty with 1179, Shirley with 1100, Barbara with 812, and Patricia with 645. These names were likely chosen for their popularity at the time and their traditional sound.

Mary

1796 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Betty

1179 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

1100 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Barbara

812 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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

645 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Dorothy
625 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Norma
434 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Helen
421 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Joan
404 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Doris
392 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Virginia
369 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Margaret
359 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carol
338 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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".
Joyce
304 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Wanda
303 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Nancy
289 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
287 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Ruth
279 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Bonnie
270 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) named Bonnie
The name Bonnie means "pretty" or "good" and is of Scottish origin. It is often used as a nickname for someone who is attractive or pleasant.
Marilyn
265 baby girls born in Missouri (1934) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1934

In 1934, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were Robert, James, Donald, William, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 1534 babies being named Robert that year, followed closely by James with 1515 babies. Donald, William, and John were also popular choices, with 1202, 1104, and 1075 babies being named these names respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for parents naming their baby boys.

Robert

1534 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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

1515 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald

1202 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William

1104 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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.
John

1075 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Charles
1043 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Richard
851 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Harold
448 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Kenneth
448 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Billy
433 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
George
431 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Jerry
390 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Paul
386 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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.
David
355 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Jack
353 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Thomas
339 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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.
Ronald
314 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Joseph
310 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Bobby
283 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Edward
277 baby boys born in Missouri (1934) 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".