New jersey's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of New Jersey saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Barbara was the most popular name for baby girls, followed by Mary and Patricia. These names were commonly chosen by parents who were looking for traditional and timeless names for their daughters.

For baby boys, the most popular names were Robert, John, and William. These names were also quite popular across the country at the time. Parents were drawn to these names because they were classic and had strong, masculine connotations.

Overall, the top baby names in New Jersey in 1938 reflected a desire for traditional and timeless names that would stand the test of time. While these names may not be as popular today, they continue to be beloved by many parents who appreciate their classic charm.

Most popular baby girl names in New jersey in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby girl name in New Jersey was Barbara, with 1443 babies given that name. Mary came in second with 1001 babies named, followed by Patricia with 960 babies named. Joan was the fourth most popular name with 881 babies named, and Carol came in fifth with 653 babies named. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends during that time period.

Barbara

1443 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Mary

1001 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Patricia

960 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Joan

881 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Carol

653 baby girls born in New jersey (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".
Margaret
530 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Elizabeth
432 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Dorothy
427 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Nancy
424 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
341 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Judith
329 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Marie
322 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Helen
312 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Janet
292 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Jean
291 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Shirley
281 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Dolores
275 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Dolores
The name Dolores is of Spanish origin and means "sorrows" or "pains". It is derived from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, which translates to "Our Lady of Sorrows". The name was popularized in the 20th century by the famous Mexican actress Dolores del Río.
Ruth
270 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) 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.
Betty
267 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Frances
262 baby girls born in New jersey (1938) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

Most popular baby boy names in New jersey in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby boy names in New Jersey were Robert, John, William, Richard, and Joseph. Robert was the most popular name with 2185 babies given that name, followed by John with 1793 babies and William with 1387 babies. Richard and Joseph rounded out the top five with 1070 and 1061 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

2185 baby boys born in New jersey (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

1793 baby boys born in New jersey (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

1387 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Richard

1070 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph

1061 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
1035 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
772 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Thomas
707 baby boys born in New jersey (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
675 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Edward
664 baby boys born in New jersey (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".
Donald
583 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Frank
547 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Ronald
525 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
471 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Michael
445 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Anthony
415 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Raymond
366 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Peter
317 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Peter
The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common name in many cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, stability, and steadfastness.
Paul
314 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Kenneth
300 baby boys born in New jersey (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".