Washington's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Washington saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in the state, followed by Barbara and Patricia. These names were common choices for parents who wanted to give their daughters names that were classic and timeless.

For baby boys, the most popular names in Washington in 1938 were Robert, James, and John. These names were also traditional and had been popular for decades. Parents who chose these names for their sons likely wanted to give them strong, masculine names that would stand the test of time.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Washington in 1938 reflected a desire for traditional, classic names that had been popular for generations. While trends in baby names have changed over the years, many of these names remain popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Washington in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby girl names in Washington were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Sharon, and Carol. Mary was the most popular name with 382 babies given that name, followed closely by Barbara with 369 babies and Patricia with 364 babies. Sharon and Carol rounded out the top five with 344 and 332 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Mary

382 baby girls born in Washington (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

369 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Patricia

364 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Sharon

344 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Carol

332 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Carol
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".
Shirley
252 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Donna
250 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Nancy
222 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Marilyn
191 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Betty
178 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sandra
171 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Sandra
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.
Judith
171 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Janet
167 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joan
165 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Joan
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.
Janice
148 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Beverly
146 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Darlene
145 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Darlene
The name Darlene means "darling" or "beloved" and is of English origin. It was first used as a given name in the early 20th century in the United States.
Karen
145 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Margaret
137 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
128 baby girls born in Washington (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

Most popular baby boy names in Washington in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Washington were Robert, James, John, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 676 babies given that name, followed by James with 526, John with 502, Richard with 483, and William with 395. These names were likely inspired by popular figures or family traditions at the time.

Robert

676 baby boys born in Washington (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.
James

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

502 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Richard

483 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

395 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Gary
375 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Donald
373 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
357 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Ronald
330 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
278 baby boys born in Washington (1938) 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.
Charles
243 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Michael
209 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Kenneth
200 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
186 baby boys born in Washington (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.
George
185 baby boys born in Washington (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
172 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Gerald
172 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Gerald
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.
Jack
165 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Dennis
125 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Raymond
116 baby boys born in Washington (1938) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".