Texas's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Texas saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed closely by Barbara and Betty. Mary, a timeless classic, has been a popular name for girls for centuries, and it's no surprise that it topped the charts in Texas in the 1930s.

For baby boys, the top three names were James, Robert, and John. These classic names have remained popular over the years, and it's easy to see why. James, Robert, and John are strong, traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Overall, the top baby names in Texas in 1938 were a mix of classic and timeless names. Parents in Texas seemed to prefer names that were tried and true, rather than trendy or unique. It's interesting to see how baby name trends have evolved over the years, but these classic names will always have a place in our hearts.

Most popular baby girl names in Texas in 1938

In Texas, 1938, Mary was the most popular baby girl name, with 3382 babies being given that name. Barbara came in second place with 1820 babies being named that, followed by Betty with 1622 babies. Maria was the fourth most popular name with 1174 babies, and Shirley was the fifth most popular with 1043 babies.

Mary

3382 baby girls born in Texas (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

1820 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Betty

1622 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Maria

1174 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Maria
Maria is a name of Latin origin, derived from the name Mariam or Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "sorrow". It is a common name in many cultures and is often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity.
Shirley

1043 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Dorothy
873 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Patricia
808 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Patsy
734 baby girls born in Texas (1938) 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.
Martha
691 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Joyce
672 baby girls born in Texas (1938) 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
653 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Margaret
611 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Peggy
579 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Nancy
572 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Frances
569 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Virginia
547 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Carolyn
547 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Helen
532 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Gloria
530 baby girls born in Texas (1938) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Doris
527 baby girls born in Texas (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Texas in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Texas were James, Robert, John, Charles, and William. James was the most popular name with 2774 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 2013 babies and John with 1868 babies. Charles was the fourth most popular name with 1698 babies, and William was the fifth most popular name with 1365 babies. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

James

2774 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

2013 baby boys born in Texas (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

1868 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Charles

1698 baby boys born in Texas (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.
William

1365 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Joe
1204 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Billy
1126 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Jerry
1109 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Donald
983 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Bobby
964 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
David
907 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Richard
786 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jose
741 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
George
734 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Thomas
693 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Jimmy
693 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kenneth
655 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
482 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Juan
460 baby boys born in Texas (1938) named Juan
The name Juan is a Spanish variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Paul
451 baby boys born in Texas (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.