Most Popular Baby Names Of The 1930s

The top 100 girls’ and boys’ names across 1930–1939. Explore their meanings, histories, and popularity today.

Name & meaning	Babies 2025 · rank	5-year rank movement	Peak year
James Traditionally supplanter, through Jacob	11,945#6	Steady	1947
John Yahweh is gracious	8,027#23	Up 4 rank positions in five years	1947
Robert Bright fame	3,772#92	Down 12 rank positions in five years	1947
Michael Who is like God?	8,094#21	Down 9 rank positions in five years	1957
William Will + helmet; often resolute protector	10,545#9	Down 4 rank positions in five years	1947
Mary Meaning uncertain; part of the Mary/Miriam family	2,230#125	Down 2 rank positions in five years	1921
David Beloved	6,794#35	Down 7 rank positions in five years	1955
Joseph He will add	7,303#29	Down 3 rank positions in five years	1956
Richard King, ruler + hard, brave	1,505#234	Down 26 rank positions in five years	1946
Charles Man, through Karl; alternative army derivation	5,898#48	Down 2 rank positions in five years	1947
Thomas Twin	6,917#34	Up 11 rank positions in five years	1952
Daniel God is my judge	8,085#22	Down 8 rank positions in five years	1985
Elizabeth My God is an oath	6,760#17	Down 1 rank positions in five years	1990
Patricia Noble	167#1,336	Down 219 rank positions in five years	1951
Anthony English form of Antonius; original meaning unknown	5,967#46	Down 5 rank positions in five years	1990
George Farmer; earth-worker	2,848#126	Up 6 rank positions in five years	1921
Linda Tender, soft	294#902	Down 87 rank positions in five years	1947
Barbara Strange, foreign	264#968	Down 82 rank positions in five years	1947
Donald Prince / chief of the world	395#690	Down 81 rank positions in five years	1934
Paul Small	1,316#262	Down 10 rank positions in five years	1957
Andrew Manly; masculine	4,497#73	Down 21 rank positions in five years	1987
Edward Wealth-guardian	1,591#224	Down 29 rank positions in five years	1924
Kenneth Handsome through Coinneach; also a form of Cináed	1,148#294	Down 51 rank positions in five years	1957
Margaret Pearl	2,436#112	Up 14 rank positions in five years	1921
Dorothy Gift of God	743#421	Up 114 rank positions in five years	1924
Sarah Lady, princess	2,710#90	Down 4 rank positions in five years	1982
Ronald Counsel + ruler	438#638	Down 79 rank positions in five years	1947
Helen Possibly torch or moon; deeper origin disputed	668#462	Down 36 rank positions in five years	1918
Nancy Grace, through Ann; earlier linked with Annis	265#967	Down 70 rank positions in five years	1947
Betty My God is an oath, through Elizabeth	212#1,113	Up 62 rank positions in five years	1930
Frank Member of the Franks; also a short form of Francis or Franklin	584#514	Down 86 rank positions in five years	1918
Anna Grace; favor	2,521#107	Down 39 rank positions in five years	1918
Gary Spear	201#1,073	Down 266 rank positions in five years	1952
Sandra Defender of people, through Alessandra	188#1,210	Down 107 rank positions in five years	1947
Ruth Probably female friend; companion	1,781#173	Up 46 rank positions in five years	1920
Donna Lady; also a feminine form of Don or Donald	98#1,965	Down 419 rank positions in five years	1959
Samuel Name of God; also interpreted as God has heard	8,334#18	Up 7 rank positions in five years	2001
Carol Man, in the Charles family; also song or hymn	82#2,242	Down 331 rank positions in five years	1946
Larry From Laurentum, through Laurence	198#1,085	Down 247 rank positions in five years	1947
Laura Laurel	805#379	Down 23 rank positions in five years	1964
Raymond Counsel + protection	807#395	Down 84 rank positions in five years	1924
Emma Whole; great	12,754#3	Down 1 rank positions in five years	2003
Henry Home ruler	12,020#5	Up 4 rank positions in five years	2025
Jack Yahweh is gracious, through John	8,748#15	Up 6 rank positions in five years	1927
Sharon Plain	179#1,256	Down 112 rank positions in five years	1947
Kathleen Traditionally pure, through Katherine; deeper origin disputed	201#1,156	Down 151 rank positions in five years	1951
Shirley Bright clearing	133#1,586	Down 36 rank positions in five years	1935
Catherine Traditionally pure; deeper origin disputed	972#314	Down 47 rank positions in five years	1956
Virginia Traditionally maiden or virgin; Roman family name of uncertain origin	572#526	Up 55 rank positions in five years	1922
Katherine Traditionally pure; deeper origin disputed	1,670#186	Down 50 rank positions in five years	1990

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Year by year in the 1930s

1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939

This list includes the top 100 girls’ and boys’ names by total use across 1930–1939. Table birth counts and ranks show 2025, and rank movement covers the latest five years. Search, filters, and sorting stay within this decade’s name list.

Counts are based on U.S. births and are tracked separately for girls and boys. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year aren’t published for that year, so totals here are a floor — the shortfall is largest in the sparse early years.