Missouri's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Missouri saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Barbara and Shirley. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name in Missouri in 1939, followed by Robert and John. These strong, traditional names have remained popular throughout the years and are still commonly chosen by parents today. Whether you're looking for a timeless name or a modern twist on a classic, Missouri's top baby names of 1939 offer plenty of inspiration.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1939

Based on the data from 1939, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Missouri with 1618 occurrences. The other top girl names were Barbara with 1074 occurrences, Shirley with 840 occurrences, Betty with 773 occurrences, and Patricia with 748 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Mary

1618 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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

1074 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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

840 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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

773 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

748 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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
641 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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".
Judith
520 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Nancy
459 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
452 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Dorothy
405 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carolyn
398 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Sandra
340 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Marilyn
336 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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
329 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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
325 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
324 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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
321 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Janet
318 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Virginia
304 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Judy
301 baby girls born in Missouri (1939) named Judy

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1939

According to records from 1939, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were James, Robert, John, William, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1564 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1468 babies. John, William, and Charles rounded out the top five with 1282, 1026, and 983 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures of the time.

James

1564 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1468 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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

1282 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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

1026 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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

983 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Donald
921 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
866 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry
708 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Jerry
656 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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.
David
634 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Ronald
571 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
508 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
447 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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
400 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Gary
365 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Paul
362 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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
319 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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".
Harold
306 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) 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.
Billy
298 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Joseph
297 baby boys born in Missouri (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".