Washington's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Washington saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Barbara, Patricia, and Sharon. These names were likely influenced by popular culture at the time, as famous actresses such as Barbara Stanwyck and Sharon Tate were rising to fame.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and James. These classic names have remained popular throughout the years, and were likely chosen for their timeless appeal. It's interesting to note that these names were also popular in other parts of the country during this time period, indicating a shared cultural influence across the United States.

Overall, the top baby names of 1939 in Washington reflect the cultural trends and influences of the time. While some of these names have fallen out of favor in recent years, many of them remain popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Washington in 1939

In Washington in 1939, the most popular baby girl names were Barbara, Patricia, Sharon, Mary, and Carol. Barbara and Patricia tied for the top spot with 370 babies each given those names, followed closely by Sharon with 369. Mary was the fourth most popular name with 349 babies named Mary, and Carol rounded out the top five with 299 babies given that name.

  1. Patricia

    370 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  2. Barbara

    370 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  3. Sharon

    369 baby girls born in Washington (1939) 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.

  4. Mary

    349 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  5. Carol

    299 baby girls born in Washington (1939) 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".

  6. Nancy

    284 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  7. Judith

    248 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  8. Marilyn

    225 baby girls born in Washington (1939) 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".

  9. Sandra

    214 baby girls born in Washington (1939) 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.

  10. Donna

    206 baby girls born in Washington (1939) 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.

  11. Linda

    203 baby girls born in Washington (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."

  12. Judy

    202 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Judy

  13. Shirley

    198 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  14. Janet

    171 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

  15. Joan

    165 baby girls born in Washington (1939) 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.

  16. Betty

    164 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  17. Janice

    158 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  18. Karen

    157 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  19. Darlene

    134 baby girls born in Washington (1939) 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.

  20. Beverly

    126 baby girls born in Washington (1939) named Beverly

    The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

Most popular baby boy names in Washington in 1939

In Washington in 1939, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, James, Richard, and David. Robert was the most popular, with 683 babies given that name, followed by John with 520, James with 505, Richard with 479, and David with 414. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

  1. Robert

    683 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  2. John

    520 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  3. James

    505 baby boys born in Washington (1939) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  4. Richard

    479 baby boys born in Washington (1939) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. David

    414 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  6. William

    411 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  7. Gary

    372 baby boys born in Washington (1939) 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.

  8. Larry

    317 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  9. Donald

    299 baby boys born in Washington (1939) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  10. Ronald

    256 baby boys born in Washington (1939) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  11. Charles

    219 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  12. Michael

    211 baby boys born in Washington (1939) 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.

  13. Jerry

    210 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  14. Kenneth

    188 baby boys born in Washington (1939) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  15. George

    185 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  16. Dennis

    180 baby boys born in Washington (1939) 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.

  17. Gerald

    180 baby boys born in Washington (1939) 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.

  18. Thomas

    166 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  19. Jack

    154 baby boys born in Washington (1939) named Jack

    The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".

  20. Edward

    131 baby boys born in Washington (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".