In the year 1936, the state of Oklahoma witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Shirley, and Betty were the top picks for baby girls, while James, Charles, and Robert were the most favored names for baby boys. These names were not just popular in Oklahoma, but across the United States as well.
Parents in Oklahoma seemed to favor traditional and timeless names for their newborns. Mary, which means "bitter" or "beloved," has been a popular name for centuries and continues to be a classic choice. Shirley, which means "bright meadow," was also a popular choice, perhaps due to the popularity of the famous child actress Shirley Temple at the time. Meanwhile, James, Charles, and Robert were all strong, traditional names that have stood the test of time.
According to records from 1936, the most popular baby girl names in Oklahoma were Mary, Shirley, Betty, Barbara, and Wanda. Mary was the most popular name with 1098 babies given that name, followed by Shirley with 947, Betty with 853, Barbara with 601, and Wanda with 430. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.
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.
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.
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
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.
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
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.
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
The name Patsy is a diminutive form of the name Patricia or Patrick, which means "noble" or "patrician" in Latin. The name Patsy is commonly used as a nickname for someone with the full name Patricia or Patrick.
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
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.
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".
According to data from 1936, James was the most popular baby boy name in Oklahoma with 1055 babies given that name. The next most popular names were Charles with 764 babies, Robert with 743 babies, John with 690 babies, and Donald with 689 babies. These names were the top 5 most popular baby boy names in Oklahoma in 1936.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
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.
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.
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
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.
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
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.
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.
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
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.
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.