Tennessee's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Tennessee witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among the baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Betty and Barbara. Mary has been a popular name for centuries and is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, meaning "bitterness" or "rebelliousness". Betty, on the other hand, is a diminutive of Elizabeth, which means "pledged to God". Barbara is a Greek name that means "strange" or "foreign".

As for the baby boys, James was the most popular name in Tennessee in 1939, followed closely by William and Robert. James is a timeless name that means "supplanter", while William means "resolute protector". Robert, on the other hand, is a Germanic name that means "bright fame". These names have been popular for decades and continue to remain popular even today.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Tennessee in 1939 reflect the traditional and timeless nature of names that have stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular even today, and parents can draw inspiration from them when choosing names for their own children.

Most popular baby girl names in Tennessee in 1939

According to the records from Tennessee in 1939, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 1735 babies given that name. The next most popular names were Betty (1245), Barbara (975), Shirley (827), and Dorothy (557). These names were the top choices for parents in Tennessee during that year.

Mary

1735 baby girls born in Tennessee (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

1245 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

975 baby girls born in Tennessee (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

827 baby girls born in Tennessee (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

557 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Martha
508 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Peggy
484 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Patricia
458 baby girls born in Tennessee (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
451 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
450 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carolyn
412 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Joyce
398 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Wanda
392 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Linda
361 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Helen
334 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Virginia
289 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Elizabeth
276 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Doris
269 baby girls born in Tennessee (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.
Norma
261 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Patsy
256 baby girls born in Tennessee (1939) named Patsy
The name Patsy is a diminutive form of the name Patricia or Patrick, which means "noble" or "patrician" in Latin. The name Patsy is commonly used as a nickname for someone with the full name Patricia or Patrick.

Most popular baby boy names in Tennessee in 1939

According to records from 1939, the most popular baby boy names in Tennessee were James, William, Robert, Charles, and John. James was the most popular name with 2503 babies given that name, followed by William with 1296 babies, Robert with 1196 babies, Charles with 1121 babies, and John with 1037 babies.

James

2503 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1296 baby boys born in Tennessee (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

1196 baby boys born in Tennessee (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

1121 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
John

1037 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Billy
751 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
676 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jerry
597 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Thomas
495 baby boys born in Tennessee (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
467 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Donald
467 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
467 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Joe
430 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Jimmy
360 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kenneth
345 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Richard
342 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Paul
333 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Harold
305 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Larry
283 baby boys born in Tennessee (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.
Willie
266 baby boys born in Tennessee (1939) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".