In the year 1932, the state of Oregon witnessed a surge in popularity of some timeless baby names. For baby girls, Barbara, Betty, and Mary topped the charts, while Robert, Donald, and Richard were the most sought-after names for baby boys. These names have continued to remain popular over the years and have even become classics.
The name Barbara, which means "stranger" or "foreigner," was particularly popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "pledged to God," was also a popular choice for baby girls. Meanwhile, the name Robert, which means "bright fame," has been a popular choice for baby boys for centuries. Donald, meaning "world leader," and Richard, meaning "brave ruler," were also popular choices for parents looking for strong and meaningful names for their baby boys.
In 1932, the most popular baby girl names in Oregon were Barbara with 224 occurrences, followed closely by Betty with 215. Mary was the third most popular name with 198 occurrences, while Patricia came in fourth with 184. Finally, Donna rounded out the top five with 145 occurrences.
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 Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
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 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 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 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 Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
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.
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 Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
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 Dolores is of Spanish origin and means "sorrows" or "pains". It is derived from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, which translates to "Our Lady of Sorrows". The name was popularized in the 20th century by the famous Mexican actress Dolores del Río.
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.
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
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".
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.
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
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".
In 1932, the most popular baby boy names in Oregon were Robert, Donald, Richard, James, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 376 babies given that name, followed by Donald with 263, Richard with 246, James with 225, and John with 209. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.
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.
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
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 Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
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 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 Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
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 Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
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.
The name Norman means "man of the north" or "man from the north". It is of Old German origin and was originally used to describe Vikings who had settled in the northern regions of France. The name became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
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".
The name Don is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "dunn," which means "brown" or "dark-colored." It is also believed to be a shortened version of the name Donald, which means "ruler of the world" in Scottish Gaelic. The name Don has been used as a given name for boys since the 19th century.
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.
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.