Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1932

In the year 1932, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Pennsylvania, followed by Joan and Dorothy. These classic names have been popular for generations and continue to be favored by parents who appreciate their timeless appeal.

For baby boys, the top names in Pennsylvania in 1932 were John, Robert, and William. These names are also traditional and have been popular for many years. Parents in Pennsylvania seemed to favor strong, classic names for their sons, reflecting the values of the time.

Overall, the top baby names in Pennsylvania in 1932 reflect a preference for traditional, timeless names that have stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular today, showing that some things, like the appeal of a classic name, never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1932

In Pennsylvania in 1932, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Joan, Dorothy, Betty, and Margaret. Mary was the most popular name with 4535 babies given that name. Joan came in second with 2435 babies, followed by Dorothy with 2027 babies. Betty and Margaret came in fourth and fifth place, respectively, with 1905 and 1852 babies given those names.

Mary

4535 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Joan

2435 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Dorothy

2027 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Betty

1905 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Margaret

1852 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dolores
1743 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Dolores
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.
Helen
1668 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Shirley
1652 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Patricia
1509 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Barbara
1466 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Nancy
1393 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Jean
1269 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Anna
1262 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Ruth
1165 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Doris
1128 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Elizabeth
1096 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Lois
912 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Marie
824 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Catherine
807 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Catherine
The name Catherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has various forms and spellings in different languages.
Rose
762 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Rose
The name Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1932

According to the records of baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1932, the top five most popular names were John, Robert, William, James, and Joseph. John was the most popular name with 5241 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 5029 babies. William came in third with 4072 babies, James was fourth with 3484 babies, and Joseph rounded out the top five with 2961 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

John

5241 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Robert

5029 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
William

4072 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
James

3484 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph

2961 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
2833 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
2656 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
2434 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
George
1924 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Edward
1802 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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".
Thomas
1802 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Paul
1271 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Frank
1117 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Ronald
1092 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
978 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) 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.
Raymond
959 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Kenneth
872 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harry
864 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Harry
The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".
Francis
748 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Francis
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.
Walter
738 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1932) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".