| Baby boy names and baby girl names of 1930 to 1939 | | | | Thomas (Greek) means "twin;" and Joseph (Hebrew) |
| reflected art, music, and literature. Perhaps new | | | | means "supported by God." |
| parents tried to spare their children the tough times by | | | | From 1930 to 1939, the top baby girl names were a big |
| naming their babies for a more gentle side of life. This | | | | change from the names of the previous decade. New |
| was especially true for baby girl names. | | | | entries included Shirley, Patricia, Joan, and Nancy. Most |
| People often name their infants in harmony with the | | | | are powerful biblical names, names of saints and world |
| world around them. | | | | leaders. |
| The decade of the 1930s was known for hard times | | | | These names, in order of their popularity, are Mary, |
| and unemployment. One song that said it all was, | | | | Betty, Barbara, Shirley, Patricia, Dorothy, Joan, |
| "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime." The stock market | | | | Margaret, Nancy, and Helen. |
| crash of 1929 dragged on and left many people | | | | Mary (Hebrew) means "spiritual;" Betty (Hebrew) from |
| penniless. | | | | "Elizabeth" means "God-loving;" Barbara (Greek) |
| To get away from it all, people crowded around their | | | | means "unusual;" Shirley (English) is derived from a |
| radios listening to the best-known comics of the day - | | | | place name meaning "bright meadow;" Patricia (Latin) |
| Jack Benny, Gracie Allen, and Fred Allen. In 1934, music | | | | means "of noble birth;" Dorothy (Greek) means "gift of |
| producer, Cole Porter, brought the house down with his | | | | God;" Joan (Middle English) is the female form of |
| swinging songs, "Anything Goes," and "You're the | | | | "John," meaning "God-loving;" Margaret (Greek) means |
| Tops." For a few precious moments, people could | | | | "treasured pearl;" Nancy (Medieval English) is the pet |
| forget hunger and worry. | | | | form of "Agnes," and means "generous;" Helen (Greek) |
| The following year, Cole Porter came out with "Begin | | | | means "beautiful." |
| the Beguine," and "Just One of Those Things." | | | | People struggled to make it through the decade of the |
| Meanwhile, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" | | | | 1930s. The stock market crash left the whole country |
| made everyone feel like dancing. In the art world, | | | | shattered. Tens of thousands abandoned farms to |
| Childe Hassam caught the sunlight and placed it in his | | | | move into the city and look for jobs that did not exist. |
| paintings for all to see. | | | | On the plus side, there was a new president, Franklin |
| The 10 top baby boy names from 1930 to 1939, in | | | | Delano Roosevelt, in the White House. A fast sleek |
| order of popularity, were Robert, James, John, William, | | | | car called the "Pierce Arrow" was all the rage. Artists |
| Richard, Charles, Donald, George, Thomas, and Joseph. | | | | of the 1930's such as William Graves Sharp and John |
| They are essentially the same popular names of the | | | | Singer Sargent produced paintings to lift the heart. |
| 1920s - with only one change. "Thomas" took the place | | | | Broadway came alive again with the smash musical, |
| of "Edward." They are all Christian saints' names. They | | | | "Over the Rainbow." Hemingway and Steinbeck were |
| are also royal names that go back in history for | | | | writing masterpieces that have never been matched. |
| centuries. | | | | The glorious baby boy names and baby girl names of |
| Robert (English) means "brilliant;" James (English) | | | | the 1930s may have helped children weather the |
| means "steadfast;" John (Hebrew) means "honorable;" | | | | storm and dash happily into the fabulous 1940s. |
| William (English) means "staunch protector;" Richard | | | | Everyone knew the road ahead was filled with |
| (Germanic) means "strong ruler;" Charles (German) | | | | sunshine. |
| means "well-loved;" Donald (Scots Gaelic) means | | | | (c) Benedict Manovill. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. |
| "world ruler;" George (Greek) means "loving the land;" | | | | |