North carolina's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of North Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of some classic and timeless baby names. Topping the charts for baby girl names were Mary, Betty, and Barbara, while James, William, and Robert were the most popular choices for baby boys.

Mary, a name with biblical roots meaning "bitter" or "beloved," has been a consistent favorite for centuries. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "pledged to God," was also a popular choice for parents. Barbara, meaning "foreign" or "strange," was another classic name that stood out in the year 1938. For baby boys, James, William, and Robert were the top choices, all classic names with strong meanings and historical significance. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1938

In North Carolina in 1938, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 2346 registrations, followed by Betty with 1662 registrations. Barbara came in third place with 1323 registrations, followed by Shirley with 1107 registrations. Dorothy rounded out the top 5 with 694 registrations.

Mary

2346 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Betty

1662 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

1323 baby girls born in North carolina (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

1107 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Dorothy

694 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Nancy
675 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Peggy
634 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Margaret
619 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Annie
604 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Carolyn
545 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Martha
541 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Doris
525 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Patricia
489 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Frances
460 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Joyce
431 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Helen
420 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Elizabeth
385 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Sarah
365 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Alice
329 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Virginia
327 baby girls born in North carolina (1938) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1938

According to records from 1938, the top five most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2885 babies given that name, followed by William with 1911 babies, Robert with 1515 babies, John with 1398 babies, and Charles with 1177 babies. These names have been popular for decades and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

James

2885 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1911 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Robert

1515 baby boys born in North carolina (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

1398 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Charles

1177 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Bobby
864 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Thomas
660 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
David
649 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
George
646 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Donald
579 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Billy
571 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Jerry
523 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Willie
495 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Richard
462 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
444 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Joe
381 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Harold
381 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Edward
357 baby boys born in North carolina (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".
Jimmy
355 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kenneth
355 baby boys born in North carolina (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".