Missouri's most popular baby names in 1937

In the year 1937, the state of Missouri saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for their newborns. Mary, Shirley, and Barbara were the most popular baby girl names, while James, Robert, and John were the top baby boy names. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Mary, a timeless name that has been popular for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in Missouri in 1937. Shirley, a name that rose to fame in the 1930s, was the second most popular name for baby girls. Barbara, a name that had been gaining popularity since the 1920s, rounded out the top three. For baby boys, the classic names of James, Robert, and John were the most popular choices. These names have remained popular over the years, proving that classic names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1937

In Missouri in 1937, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 1680 babies given that name. Following Mary were Shirley with 1103 babies, Barbara with 912 babies, Betty with 899 babies, and Patricia with 638 babies. These were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Missouri during that year.

Mary

1680 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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

1103 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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

912 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Betty

899 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

638 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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
605 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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
459 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Donna
366 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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
366 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
362 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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
361 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Norma
333 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Beverly
331 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Helen
317 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Ruth
307 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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
302 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Wanda
297 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Marilyn
295 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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".
Carolyn
287 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Joan
287 baby girls born in Missouri (1937) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1937

In Missouri, 1937, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, Donald, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1588 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1533 babies. John was the third most popular name with 1140 babies named John, while Donald and Charles rounded out the top five with 1117 and 1016 babies respectively. These names were all classic and traditional names that have remained popular over the years.

James

1588 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1533 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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

1140 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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

1117 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles

1016 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
William
980 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Richard
730 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
569 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Jerry
548 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Ronald
491 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
473 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Larry
412 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
George
402 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Billy
379 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Thomas
365 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Harold
329 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Paul
312 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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.
Edward
301 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) 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".
Joseph
271 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Carl
265 baby boys born in Missouri (1937) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.