Ohio's most popular baby names in 1938

In 1938, the state of Ohio saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, James, and John were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Ohio, but also across the United States. The names were chosen for various reasons, such as family traditions, religious beliefs, and personal preferences. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to explore the significance of these names and their cultural impact during this time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1938

In Ohio, 1938, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 2790 babies being given that name. Following closely behind was Barbara, with 2262 babies being given that name. Patricia was the third most popular name, with 1798 babies being named Patricia. Carol was the fourth most popular name, with 1653 babies being given that name, and Nancy rounded out the top five with 1508 babies being named Nancy. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as traditional family names and religious influences.

Mary

2790 baby girls born in Ohio (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

2262 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Patricia

1798 baby girls born in Ohio (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

1653 baby girls born in Ohio (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".
Nancy

1508 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Shirley
1284 baby girls born in Ohio (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
1070 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Janet
943 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Donna
867 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Judith
833 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Marilyn
795 baby girls born in Ohio (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".
Sandra
765 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) 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.
Joyce
743 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Margaret
694 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joan
669 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Beverly
668 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Ruth
657 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Carolyn
615 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Phyllis
608 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Dorothy
599 baby girls born in Ohio (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1938

In 1938, Ohio\'s most popular baby boy name was Robert, with a total of 3,811 babies given that name. James came in second with 3,197 babies, followed by John with 2,624 babies. William was the fourth most popular name with 2,389 babies named that, and Richard rounded out the top five with 2,337 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

Robert

3811 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
James

3197 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

2624 baby boys born in Ohio (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

2389 baby boys born in Ohio (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

2337 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
1762 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
David
1691 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Donald
1667 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
1604 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
1488 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Larry
998 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Paul
958 baby boys born in Ohio (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
899 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
872 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Joseph
742 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jerry
713 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Edward
703 baby boys born in Ohio (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".
Jack
588 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Gerald
586 baby boys born in Ohio (1938) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Gary
577 baby boys born in Ohio (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.