Missouri's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of Missouri saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Mary, Shirley, and Betty were the top choices for baby girls, while James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless classic, held its position as the most popular name for baby girls in Missouri in 1936. Shirley and Betty, both feminine and sweet, followed closely behind. On the other hand, James, Robert, and John were the top picks for baby boys, exuding strength and masculinity. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1936

In Missouri, 1936, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 1681 newborns given this name. Following closely behind was Shirley with 1466 babies named, and Betty with 923. Barbara and Patricia rounded out the top 5 with 853 and 613 babies given those names, respectively.

Mary

1681 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Shirley

1466 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Betty

923 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

853 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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

613 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Carol
545 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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".
Dorothy
525 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joan
376 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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
360 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
354 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Helen
353 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Norma
350 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Marilyn
314 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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
304 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Margaret
303 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
302 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Beverly
298 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Virginia
297 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Ruth
278 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Peggy
265 baby girls born in Missouri (1936) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1936

According to records from 1936, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were James and Robert, both with 1506 occurrences. Following closely were John with 1108 occurrences, Donald with 1095 occurrences, and William with 1015 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

James

1506 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1506 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
John

1108 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Donald

1095 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William

1015 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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
989 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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
737 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
477 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Jerry
472 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
George
447 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Kenneth
441 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
David
430 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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
377 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Billy
371 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Paul
371 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Harold
335 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Jack
318 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
300 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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".
Larry
289 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) 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.
Joseph
289 baby boys born in Missouri (1936) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".