Oklahoma's most popular baby names in 1936

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.

Most popular baby girl names in Oklahoma in 1936

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.

  1. Mary

    1098 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  2. Shirley

    947 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  3. Betty

    853 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  4. Barbara

    601 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  5. Wanda

    430 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Wanda

    The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".

  6. Patricia

    347 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  7. Dorothy

    308 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  8. Patsy

    300 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Patsy

    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.

  9. Norma

    293 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Norma

    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.

  10. Joyce

    287 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  11. Virginia

    241 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  12. Helen

    239 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  13. Donna

    226 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  14. Carolyn

    218 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  15. Margaret

    204 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  16. Frances

    202 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  17. Nancy

    201 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  18. Peggy

    194 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) named Peggy

    The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".

  19. Doris

    191 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  20. Carol

    187 baby girls born in Oklahoma (1936) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Oklahoma in 1936

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.

  1. James

    1055 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. Charles

    764 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  3. Robert

    743 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  4. John

    690 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  5. Donald

    689 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  6. Billy

    660 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Billy

    The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".

  7. William

    517 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  8. Jerry

    497 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  9. Bobby

    489 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Bobby

    The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  10. Kenneth

    401 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  11. Joe

    366 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Joe

    The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".

  12. Richard

    341 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  13. Jimmy

    310 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Jimmy

    The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  14. Jack

    283 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Jack

    The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".

  15. George

    283 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  16. David

    263 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  17. Ronald

    245 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  18. Harold

    241 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  19. Thomas

    230 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) 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.

  20. Jimmie

    228 baby boys born in Oklahoma (1936) named Jimmie