Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the top three names given to baby girls that year. Mary, in particular, was a popular choice, likely due to its strong religious connotations and long-standing history as a classic name.

For baby boys, the top three names in Pennsylvania in 1938 were Robert, John, and James. These names have remained popular choices for parents throughout the years, and their popularity in 1938 is a testament to their enduring appeal. Robert, in particular, was a popular choice for baby boys, likely due to its strong and masculine sound.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Pennsylvania in 1938 were classic and traditional choices that have stood the test of time. While naming trends have certainly evolved over the years, these names continue to be popular choices for parents looking for timeless and enduring names for their children.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1938

In Pennsylvania, 1938, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 4,059 occurrences. Following Mary were Barbara with 3,082 occurrences, Patricia with 2,676 occurrences, Nancy with 2,063 occurrences, and Joan with 1,706 occurrences. These five names were the most commonly given to baby girls in Pennsylvania during that year.

Mary

4059 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Barbara

3082 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Patricia

2676 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Nancy

2063 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joan

1706 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Shirley
1627 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Margaret
1530 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carol
1413 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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".
Dorothy
1323 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Janet
1197 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Betty
1187 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Elizabeth
994 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Helen
971 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Ruth
957 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Sandra
931 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Judith
869 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Donna
858 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Dolores
843 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Anna
710 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Jean
701 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1938

According to the records from Pennsylvania in 1938, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, James, William, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 5560 babies being given that name, followed closely by John with 5256 babies. James, William, and Richard also made the top five list with 4180, 4087, and 3058 babies being given those names, respectively. These classic and traditional names were popular choices for parents in Pennsylvania during that time period.

Robert

5560 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
John

5256 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
James

4180 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

4087 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Richard

3058 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
2717 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
2388 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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
2226 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Donald
2204 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
2130 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
1796 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
David
1711 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Edward
1650 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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".
Paul
1339 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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.
Kenneth
1008 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
951 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
855 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Michael
837 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Harry
746 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) 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".
Gerald
690 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1938) named Gerald
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.