Ohio's most popular baby names in 1939

Ohio, known for its industrial prowess and rich cultural heritage, has been a hub for naming trends for decades. In 1939, the most popular baby names in the state reflected the traditional values and classic tastes of the time. For baby girls, Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the top picks, while Robert, James, and John were the most popular choices for baby boys. These names were not only fashionable, but also carried significant meaning and symbolism for families who bestowed them upon their newborns. As we delve deeper into the history of Ohio's naming trends, we can gain a better understanding of the cultural and social influences that have shaped the state's identity over time.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1939

In Ohio, 1939, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 2720 babies given the name. Barbara came in second place with 2044 babies named Barbara. Patricia was the third most popular name with 1837 babies given that name. Carol came in fourth place with 1658 babies named Carol, and Nancy rounded out the top five with 1466 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

2720 baby girls born in Ohio (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

2044 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Patricia

1837 baby girls born in Ohio (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

1658 baby girls born in Ohio (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".
Nancy

1466 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
1263 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Shirley
1062 baby girls born in Ohio (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
977 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Janet
942 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joyce
807 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Sandra
807 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Donna
801 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Marilyn
786 baby girls born in Ohio (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".
Linda
780 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Margaret
691 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Judy
677 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Judy
Joan
674 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) 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.
Ruth
657 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Carolyn
644 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Beverly
571 baby girls born in Ohio (1939) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1939

In Ohio, 1939, the most popular baby boy name was Robert, with a total of 3459 babies given that name. James was the second most popular name, with 3175 babies named James. The third most popular name was John, with 2544 babies given that name. William came in fourth place with 2304 babies named William, and Richard rounded out the top five with 2211 babies given that name. These names were all very traditional and classic choices for baby boys during this time period.

Robert

3459 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
James

3175 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

2544 baby boys born in Ohio (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

2304 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Richard

2211 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
1870 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Charles
1579 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Thomas
1561 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Ronald
1532 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1422 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
1091 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Kenneth
874 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
869 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Jerry
833 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
George
749 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Joseph
743 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
655 baby boys born in Ohio (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".
Gary
650 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Michael
572 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) 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.
Roger
565 baby boys born in Ohio (1939) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".