Missouri's most popular baby names in 1935

In the year 1935, the state of Missouri saw a surge in popularity of traditional baby names for both boys and girls. Shirley, Mary, and Betty took the lead for baby girl names, while Robert, James, and Donald were the top choices for baby boys.

Shirley, a name of English origin meaning "bright meadow," was the most popular baby girl name in Missouri in 1935. Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, followed closely behind. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, rounded out the top three. For baby boys, Robert, a name of German origin meaning "bright fame," took the lead. James, a name with Hebrew roots meaning "supplanter," and Donald, a name of Scottish origin meaning "world ruler," were also popular choices. These traditional names reflect the values and trends of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1935

According to data from 1935, the most popular baby girl names in Missouri were Shirley, Mary, Betty, Barbara, and Patricia. Shirley was the most popular name with 1764 babies being named that, followed closely by Mary with 1669 babies. Betty was the third most popular name with 1117 babies, while Barbara and Patricia were fourth and fifth with 822 and 612 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Shirley

1764 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Mary

1669 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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

1117 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

822 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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

612 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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
554 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carol
429 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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".
Norma
384 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Joan
375 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Helen
373 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Doris
331 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Marilyn
328 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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".
Margaret
326 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth
323 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Virginia
322 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Joyce
293 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Nancy
284 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
281 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Wanda
275 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Lois
250 baby girls born in Missouri (1935) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1935

According to records from 1935, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were Robert, James, Donald, John, and William. Robert was the most popular, with 1504 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1475. Donald, John, and William rounded out the top five with 1211, 1170, and 1035 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

1504 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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

1475 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald

1211 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
John

1170 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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

1035 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Charles
961 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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
736 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jerry
479 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Billy
451 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Kenneth
425 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
417 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Paul
408 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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
375 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Harold
370 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Ronald
354 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Jack
351 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Thomas
347 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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.
Edward
296 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) 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".
Bobby
279 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Joseph
277 baby boys born in Missouri (1935) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".