Wisconsin's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, Wisconsin saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. The name Mary claimed the top spot, followed closely by Barbara and Carol. These names were a reflection of the times, as parents sought to honor their faith and heritage through their children's names.

For baby boys in Wisconsin, the top names were Robert, James, and Richard. These names were also rooted in tradition and had been popular for decades. Robert, in particular, had been a top name for boys since the early 1900s. These names were strong and classic, reflecting the values of the time and the hopes parents had for their sons.

Most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1938

In Wisconsin in 1938, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1308 babies given that name. Barbara came in second with 926 babies, followed by Carol with 885, Patricia with 858, and Nancy with 712. These were the top five most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1938.

Mary

1308 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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

926 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Carol

885 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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".
Patricia

858 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Nancy

712 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
671 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Shirley
540 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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
518 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Joan
476 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Beverly
412 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Karen
408 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Betty
376 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Janice
373 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Sandra
362 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Sharon
349 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Janet
335 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Marilyn
329 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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".
Joyce
315 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Marlene
297 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Marlene
The name Marlene is a combination of the names Mary and Magdalene. It is of German origin and means "bitter" or "rebellious".
Dorothy
296 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

Most popular baby boy names in Wisconsin in 1938

In Wisconsin, 1938, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, Richard, John, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 1590 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1518 babies named James. Richard came in third with 1268 babies named Richard, while John and Donald rounded out the top five with 1152 and 887 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

1590 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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

1518 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

1268 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1152 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Donald

887 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
869 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Ronald
848 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
778 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Thomas
756 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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
588 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Kenneth
557 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Roger
469 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) named Roger
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".
Charles
461 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Gary
289 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
George
276 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Joseph
269 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
259 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1938) 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".
Dennis
250 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Paul
249 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Michael
249 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.