Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1934

In the year 1934, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names. Topping the list for baby girls was Mary, a name that has been a favorite for centuries. Following closely behind were Shirley and Joan, both of which were popular names at the time. These names were likely chosen due to their simplicity and timeless appeal.

For baby boys, the top names were John, Robert, and William. All three names have deep roots in history and have remained popular through the ages. John, in particular, has been a favorite for centuries and is still a popular choice today. Parents in Pennsylvania in 1934 seemed to favor classic names that would stand the test of time and continue to be popular for generations to come.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1934

According to the records of Pennsylvania in 1934, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 4091 occurrences. Following Mary, Shirley was the second most popular name with 2446 occurrences, followed by Joan with 2362 occurrences. Patricia and Barbara were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 1961 and 1866 occurrences respectively. These names were the top choices for parents in Pennsylvania during the year 1934.

Mary

4091 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Shirley

2446 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Joan

2362 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Patricia

1961 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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

1866 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Dorothy
1630 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Betty
1619 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Nancy
1616 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
1557 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
1375 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Dolores
1341 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Jean
1055 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Ruth
1048 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Janet
1014 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Elizabeth
1009 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Anna
999 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Doris
967 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Lois
816 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Marie
714 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Eleanor
673 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Eleanor
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1934

In Pennsylvania in 1934, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, James, and Richard. John was the most popular name with 5006 babies given that name, closely followed by Robert with 4883 babies. William, James, and Richard were also popular names with 3841, 3638, and 2849 babies given those names respectively.

John

5006 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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

4883 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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

3841 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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

3638 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

2849 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
2710 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Joseph
2704 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
2309 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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
1828 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
George
1780 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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
1572 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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".
Ronald
1364 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
1315 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
David
1051 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.
Frank
929 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
871 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Kenneth
797 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harry
769 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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".
Walter
715 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Francis
659 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1934) 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.