In the year 1938, the charming state of Vermont witnessed the arrival of many newborns who were given names that would stay with them for a lifetime. Among the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Shirley, and Patricia, while Robert, Richard, and John topped the list for baby boys.
Mary was a timeless classic that had been popular for generations, while Shirley and Patricia were gaining popularity as trendy options for baby girls. Meanwhile, Robert, Richard, and John were strong and traditional names that were favored by parents for their baby boys. These names were not just popular in Vermont, but across the country, reflecting the cultural trends of the era.
According to the records of 1938, the most popular baby girl names in Vermont were Mary, Shirley, Patricia, Barbara, and Nancy. Mary was the most popular name, with 105 babies being named Mary that year. Shirley and Patricia followed closely behind with 88 and 84 babies respectively. Barbara and Nancy tied for fourth place with 83 babies each. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as traditional and family naming customs.
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.
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.
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.
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
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.
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
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.
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.
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
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.
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.
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
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.
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".
The name Pauline is a feminine name of French origin. It is the feminine form of the name Paul, which means "small" or "humble" in Latin. The name Pauline is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and a strong will. It is a classic name that has been popular for centuries and is still widely used today.
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.
The name Elaine means "bright, shining light" or "torch" and is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French name Hélène, which is from the Greek name Helene, meaning "torch" or "corposant".
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
The name Lorraine is of French origin and is derived from the region of Lorraine in France. The meaning of the name is "from Lorraine" or "dweller of Lorraine".
In 1938, the most popular baby boy name in Vermont was Robert, with a total of 232 babies given that name. The second and third most popular names were Richard (125) and John (123), respectively. James and William rounded out the top five, with 100 and 94 babies given those names, respectively.
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.
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
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.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
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.
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
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".
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.
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
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.
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
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.
The name Norman means "man of the north" or "man from the north". It is of Old German origin and was originally used to describe Vikings who had settled in the northern regions of France. The name became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
The name Philip is of Greek origin and means "lover of horses".