South carolina's most popular baby names in 1938

In 1938, the state of South Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary, Betty, and Dorothy were the top choices for parents. Mary, a timeless classic, has been a popular name for centuries and continues to be a favorite among parents. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, was also a popular choice, as was Dorothy, which saw a spike in popularity due to the release of the classic film, "The Wizard of Oz."

On the other hand, for baby boys, James, John, and William were the most popular names. James, a name with biblical origins, has been a popular choice for centuries and continues to be a favorite among parents. John, another biblical name, has also been a popular choice for centuries. William, a name with royal roots, has also been a popular choice for parents throughout history. Overall, these names reflect the timeless and classic nature of baby names in the state of South Carolina in 1938.

Most popular baby girl names in South carolina in 1938

Based on the data from South Carolina in 1938, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1479 occurrences. The next four most popular names were Betty (771), Dorothy (515), Shirley (488), and Barbara (482).

  1. Mary

    1479 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

  2. Betty

    771 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  3. Dorothy

    515 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  4. Shirley

    488 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

  5. Barbara

    482 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

  6. Annie

    404 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Annie

    The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".

  7. Margaret

    345 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  8. Martha

    326 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Martha

    The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.

  9. Elizabeth

    315 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

  10. Frances

    284 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  11. Sarah

    270 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Sarah

    The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.

  12. Patricia

    259 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

  13. Nancy

    248 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  14. Carolyn

    233 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Carolyn

    The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.

  15. Helen

    223 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

  16. Doris

    206 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) 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.

  17. Virginia

    199 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Virginia

    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.

  18. Rosa

    195 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Rosa

    The name Rosa is of Latin origin and means "rose". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty and grace.

  19. Ruth

    187 baby girls born in South carolina (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.

  20. Evelyn

    187 baby girls born in South carolina (1938) named Evelyn

    The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.

Most popular baby boy names in South carolina in 1938

According to data from 1938, James was the most popular baby boy name in South Carolina with 1662 occurrences, followed by John with 988, William with 903, Robert with 848, and Charles with 578. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless appeal, as well as their association with strong and respected historical figures.

  1. James

    1662 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. John

    988 baby boys born in South carolina (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.

  3. William

    903 baby boys born in South carolina (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.

  4. Robert

    848 baby boys born in South carolina (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.

  5. Charles

    578 baby boys born in South carolina (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.

  6. Willie

    552 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Willie

    The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".

  7. Thomas

    406 baby boys born in South carolina (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.

  8. George

    378 baby boys born in South carolina (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.

  9. David

    318 baby boys born in South carolina (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.

  10. Henry

    306 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Henry

    The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.

  11. Bobby

    305 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Bobby

    The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  12. Joe

    300 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Joe

    The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".

  13. Joseph

    276 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  14. Harold

    250 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Harold

    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.

  15. Edward

    222 baby boys born in South carolina (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".

  16. Richard

    217 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  17. Donald

    217 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  18. Billy

    211 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Billy

    The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".

  19. Jerry

    197 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Jerry

    The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.

  20. Frank

    186 baby boys born in South carolina (1938) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".