South carolina's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of South Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of certain names for newborn babies. For baby girls, Mary, Betty, and Barbara were the most popular names, with Mary taking the top spot. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

On the baby boy side, James, John, and William were the most popular names. These names have remained popular throughout the years and have a timeless appeal. It's interesting to see how naming trends have evolved over time, but these names have remained a constant favorite among parents in South Carolina.

Most popular baby girl names in South carolina in 1939

According to data from 1939, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in South Carolina with 1484 babies being given that name. The next four most popular names were Betty (791), Barbara (559), Shirley (470), and Dorothy (457). These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Mary

1484 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Betty

791 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

559 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Shirley

470 baby girls born in South carolina (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

457 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Annie
424 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) 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".
Martha
345 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Margaret
344 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Elizabeth
311 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Carolyn
292 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Nancy
272 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Patricia
260 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Frances
247 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Helen
245 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Sarah
232 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Doris
203 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Virginia
198 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Rosa
197 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Ruth
193 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Louise
189 baby girls born in South carolina (1939) named Louise
The name Louise is derived from the Old German name Ludwig, which means "renowned warrior" or "famous in battle". It is a feminine form of the name Louis.

Most popular baby boy names in South carolina in 1939

In South Carolina in 1939, the most popular baby boy names were James, John, William, Robert, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1802 babies given that name, followed by John with 975 babies, William with 956 babies, Robert with 818 babies, and Charles with 627 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical names that were popular during that time period.

James

1802 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

975 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
William

956 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Robert

818 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Charles

627 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Willie
599 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Thomas
427 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
George
416 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
David
364 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Joseph
329 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Bobby
320 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Henry
312 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Joe
293 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Richard
260 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Edward
249 baby boys born in South carolina (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".
Billy
240 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Harold
227 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Jerry
210 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) 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.
Leroy
199 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Leroy
Donald
195 baby boys born in South carolina (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".