Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary emerged as the most popular name, followed by Barbara and Patricia. Mary, a classic name of biblical origin, has been a popular choice for parents for centuries. Barbara, meaning "strange" or "foreign," was also a common name at the time. Patricia, a name of Latin origin meaning "noble," was also a popular choice for baby girls in Pennsylvania in 1939.

When it came to baby boys, Robert was the top name in Pennsylvania in 1939. The name Robert, meaning "bright fame," has been a popular choice for centuries and is still a common name today. John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," was the second most popular name for baby boys in Pennsylvania in 1939. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," rounded out the top three most popular names for baby boys in Pennsylvania in 1939.

Overall, these classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1939

In Pennsylvania, 1939, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 3878 babies being given this name. The next most popular names were Barbara (2934), Patricia (2836), Nancy (1982), and Carol (1616).

Mary

3878 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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

2934 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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

2836 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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

1982 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol

1616 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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".
Joan
1604 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Margaret
1475 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Shirley
1365 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Dorothy
1297 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Judith
1281 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Janet
1116 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Betty
997 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sandra
996 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Ruth
968 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Elizabeth
935 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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
886 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Donna
854 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Joyce
770 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Jean
731 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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
669 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1939

Based on the records of baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1939, the top five most popular names were Robert with 5322 occurrences, followed by John with 5074 occurrences, James with 3936 occurrences, William with 3927 occurrences, and Richard with 3133 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by cultural and historical factors during that time period.

Robert

5322 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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

5074 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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

3936 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

3927 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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

3133 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
2627 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
2267 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Charles
2245 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Ronald
2023 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1923 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
1844 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
George
1687 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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
1642 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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
1217 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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
1058 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
925 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Michael
917 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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.
Raymond
792 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harry
719 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) 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".
Larry
706 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1939) named Larry
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.