Missouri's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Missouri saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for baby girls and boys. Mary, Barbara, and Shirley were among the top choices for baby girls, while James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless name that has been popular for centuries, was the most popular name for baby girls in Missouri in 1938. Barbara and Shirley, both classic names that were popular during the mid-20th century, also made it to the top of the list. For baby boys, James, Robert, and John were the most popular names, reflecting the enduring appeal of traditional names. Overall, the top baby names of 1938 in Missouri were a nod to the past, with parents opting for names that had stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1938

According to the records of baby girl names in Missouri in 1938, the most popular name was Mary, with a total of 1688 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Barbara, with 1023 babies given that name. Shirley was the third most popular name with 968 babies, followed by Betty with 916 babies, and Patricia with 670 babies. These were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1938.

Mary

1688 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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

1023 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Shirley

968 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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

916 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

670 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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
621 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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
436 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Nancy
403 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
394 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Carolyn
360 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Margaret
344 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Donna
341 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Beverly
321 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Helen
320 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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
312 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Marilyn
311 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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".
Judith
308 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Doris
305 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Norma
305 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Janet
292 baby girls born in Missouri (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were James, Robert, John, William, and Donald. James was the most popular name with 1531 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1498 babies. John came in third with 1199 babies, while William and Donald rounded out the top five with 1013 and 991 babies respectively. These names were likely popular due to their classic and traditional nature, as well as their association with popular historical figures and family members.

James

1531 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1498 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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

1199 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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

1013 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Donald

991 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
971 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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
759 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jerry
613 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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
591 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
561 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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.
David
549 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Kenneth
507 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
440 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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.
George
409 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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 (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Paul
379 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Gary
357 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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.
Harold
325 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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
306 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
302 baby boys born in Missouri (1938) 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".