Popular Baby Names 1938

Classic names that peaked in 1938 — now making a comeback.

200 names885 girl439 boy
These 1938 names are having a revival — vintage names often cycle back into popularity after 80–100 years. Many of these are trending upward right now.
James
Boy
English
supplanter
#4
Rosalie
Girl
France
French, German and Dutch form of ROSALIA. In the English-speaking this name received a boost after the release of the movie 'Rosalie' (1938), which was based on an earlier musical.
#182
Kenneth
Boy
Scotland
Born of fire; handsome.
#262
Elaine
Girl
France
bright, shining light
#381
Winston
Boy
United Kingdom
joyful stone
#398
Sylvia
Girl
Italy
of the forest
#426
Barty
Boy
English
Son of the farmer
#503
Lemoine
Boy
France
the miller
#503
Wyonne
Girl
English
Blessed
#505
Maclovio
Boy
Spain
one who is devoted to the Eucharist
#506
Charl
Unisex
English
free man
#508
Daralene
Girl
American
Derived from the combination of the names Darla and Eileen.
#508
Cather
Girl
American
English
#510
Rosemarie
Girl
Germanic
Rosemarie
#512
Ivena
Girl
English
English
#513
Major
Boy
American
Greater; larger
#514
Doylene
Girl
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#515
Karel
Unisex
Czech Republic
A feminine form of the name Karel, meaning 'man' or 'free man'.
#516
Lerae
Girl
American
To arise; to be lifted up
#516
Virley
Girl
American
A modern name that could be a combination of 'Vera' and 'Wiley', suggesting diverse influences.
#516
Claranne
Girl
English
Bright, clear; a variant of the name Clara.
#519
Omma
Girl
South Korea
Korean
#520
Lindola
Girl
American
A blend of 'Linda' (meaning beautiful) and '-ola' which may suggest a diminutive form.
#521
Shirline
Girl
English
English
#521
Laurelee
Girl
American
A variant of the name Laurel, which is derived from the laurel tree, symbolizing victory and honor.
#522
Normia
Girl
Scotland
A variation of 'Norman', meaning northman or former Norseman.
#522
Hayne
Boy
England
English
#525
Marvalee
Girl
American
English
#528
Velmarie
Girl
American
A combination of the names Velma and Marie, typically signifying a noble or beloved woman.
#531
Kather
Girl
American
A variant of 'Catherine', meaning 'pure' or 'clear'.
#535
Jerelene
Girl
American
English
#537
Verland
Boy
American
English
#537
Nelta
Girl
Albania
mighty
#538
Noreita
Girl
Spain
Spanish
#541
Edena
Girl
Hebrew
Hebrew
#542
Tommey
Boy
American
twin
#544
Evila
Girl
American
Life, Life-giving
#546
Deotha
Girl
Indian
goddess
#547
Marieda
Girl
Spain
Of Mary; beloved
#547
Clata
Girl
American
Derived from the word 'clay'
#553
Leneta
Girl
Scandinavian countries
light
#553
Delmond
Boy
English
French
#555
Silberio
Boy
Italy
Italian
#557
Clementeen
Girl
English
merciful, gentle
#562
Raburn
Boy
American
From the surname, possibly related to 'Raven' or 'Burn'
#562
Joanetta
Girl
American
God is gracious
#564
Enrique
Boy
Spain
Ruler of the home
#565
Johan
Boy
Sweden
God is gracious
#567
Rondal
Boy
American
Ruler's Peace
#567
Arnald
Boy
Germanic
Eagle power or ruler
#568
Manfried
Boy
Germanic
powerful protector
#568
Darlie
Girl
English
English
#569
Dorinne
Girl
France
Derived from 'Dorine', meaning 'gift'.
#569
Wyota
Girl
Native American
Native American
#570
Jary
Boy
American
Descendant of Jer
#571
Shelvie
Girl
English
from the willow farm
#571
Glendean
Girl
American
Valley of the glen
#574
Jearldean
Girl
English
English
#578
Remonia
Girl
American
English
#579
Arless
Boy
American
English
#580
Arolyn
Girl
American
A little noble one
#581
Delberta
Girl
USA
Derived from the name Delber, potentially meaning 'noble' or 'bright'.
#581
Zelbert
Boy
American
Noble; bright
#581
Jereldine
Girl
American
Form of Geraldine, Ruler with Spear
#584
Rebertha
Girl
American
Bright and shining
#585
Lendal
Boy
English
From the linden tree hill
#587
Rosenell
Girl
American
Derived from rose; a small rose
#587
Lovelia
Girl
American
Derived from the word 'love', denoting affection and beauty.
#588
Jolean
Girl
English
God will increase
#592
Ladona
Girl
Mexico
The Lady
#593
Vinell
Girl
American
A person who is full of life.
#594
Audrienne
Girl
American
Noble strength; strong and brave
#601
Jaynell
Girl
USA
English
#604
Jeneal
Girl
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#604
Patsy
Girl
English
noble patrician
#604
Roylee
Boy
American
Royal
#604
Garlon
Boy
American
guardian or protector
#605
Ellean
Girl
Scotland
Scottish
#606
Shelba
Girl
American
English
#606
Arline
Girl
English
Eagle
#608
Arlander
Boy
American
A variant of the name 'Alaric', meaning 'ruler of all'.
#608
Claudetta
Girl
English
Lame; crippled; a feminine form of Claudius.
#610
Jeanette
Girl
French
gift from God
#611
Marleene
Girl
English
Little warrior
#611
Shelbyjean
Girl
American
English
#614
Glo
Girl
English
English
#618
Garlene
Girl
American
a combination of 'garland' and 'lean'
#619
Marnette
Girl
American
Little Sea.
#619
Laquata
Girl
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#620
Hassell
Boy
England
Holly trees' place
#621
Maelene
Girl
American
Maelene is often interpreted as a variation of names like Madeline or Melinda, which generally convey the meaning 'high
#623
Nonna
Girl
Italy
Grandmother
#623
Jolane
Girl
American
God will increase
#625
Gaylia
Girl
American
English
#627
Dermont
Boy
Ireland
without a master
#629
Gaylard
Boy
English
a brave one
#629
Maryln
Girl
American
A variation of Marlene, meaning 'from the sea' or 'star of the sea'
#629
Elray
Boy
American
heir to the throne
#631
Gearldene
Girl
English
English
#631
Wyvonia
Girl
American
A modern coinage, possibly derived from the word 'Wyvern'.
#631
Corlene
Girl
American
English
#632
Wilmor
Boy
Germanic
will helmet
#633
Clarabeth
Girl
American
English
#635
Shelva
Girl
American
Hebrew
#635
Gennette
Girl
France
little generation, young one
#636
Ersell
Unisex
American
derived from the name Ursella, meaning little bear
#643
Sydna
Girl
American
a prosperous protector
#643
Janiel
Unisex
English
God is gracious
#645
Shelma
Girl
Hebrew
Hebrew
#645
Babara
Girl
English
Foreign woman; stranger
#646
Clauzell
Boy
French
Small keyhole
#646
Ludean
Girl
English
inspired by 'lud' meaning 'to play'
#646
Laferne
Girl
American
A modern name possibly derived from the name Fern.
#649
Rodessa
Girl
American
Spanish
#650
Selby
Unisex
England
Old Norse
#650
Vaughan
Boy
Welsh
little
#650
Priscilla
Girl
Italy
Ancient, venerable
#652
Willean
Girl
American
Determined protector
#654
Benito
Boy
Spain
Spanish form of BENEDICT. This name was borne by Mexican president Benito Juárez, and also by Benito Mussolini (who was named after Juárez), the fascist dictator of Italy during World War II.
#656
Collene
Girl
American
Irish
#656
Earnestean
Girl
English
earnest, serious
#658
Garney
Boy
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#658
Glenese
Girl
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#659
Selvia
Girl
Italy
of the forest
#659
Jonell
Girl
American
God is gracious
#660
Laveda
Girl
Spanish
One who is adored
#660
Geroldine
Girl
France
A feminine form of Gerald, which means 'rules by the spear'.
#663
Loretta
Girl
Italy
laurel; victory
#665
Cesario
Boy
Italian
a derivative of 'Caesar', which means 'long-haired'
#667
Therald
Boy
American
English
#669
Searcy
Boy
American
A variant of the name 'Searcy', originally a surname.
#670
Ronaele
Girl
American
likely derived from names like 'Ronald' or 'Ronni', meaning 'ruler' or 'counsel'
#671
Rabon
Boy
Hebrew
a shepherd, a protector
#671
Wyonda
Girl
American
A variant of Wanda, meaning 'wanderer' or 'shepherd' in Polish.
#672
Cobina
Girl
American
Variant of the name Cobin, possibly derived from 'cabin'
#673
Lennea
Girl
Swedish-speaking countries
A form of the name Linnea, referring to the twinflower.
#673
Cardell
Boy
American
English
#675
Glorice
Girl
American
glory or famous
#675
Mildren
Girl
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#675
Rexie
Unisex
American
Latin
#677
Almous
Boy
Arabic
Arabic
#678
Janilee
Girl
American
God is gracious
#680
Lomax
Boy
England
from the snare
#680
Carville
Boy
France
French
#686
Nancylee
Girl
USA
A combination of the names Nancy and Lee.
#691
Saralou
Girl
American
Princess, beloved
#691
Linvel
Boy
American
English
#697
Annett
Girl
Germanic
gracious
#704
Durie
Boy
Scotland
From the 'place of the pine.'
#704
Newland
Boy
UK
A beloved name with deep roots
#707
Immaculate
Girl
Latin
Latin
#708
Jacquolyn
Girl
American
A modern variation of the name Jacqueline, often signifying 'supplanter'.
#708
Starley
Unisex
American
star field
#708
Barabra
Girl
English
Hebrew
#709
Marylan
Girl
American
sea of bitterness
#709
Ponciano
Boy
Spain
of the fifth
#712
Veanna
Girl
English
derived from the Welsh name Tanwen, meaning 'white fire' or 'radiant'
#714
Nannetta
Girl
Italy
little Ann; favor; grace.
#715
Gorham
Boy
England
Old English
#720
Maridee
Girl
American
English
#720
Wyomia
Girl
American
a gift from God
#720
Wardel
Boy
USA
guardian of the forest
#721
Jeanenne
Girl
France
French
#722
Waynard
Boy
England
Old English
#722
Laree
Girl
American
Derived from 'Laurie', meaning 'laurel' or 'bay tree'
#723
Hermene
Girl
Greek
Greek
#725
Mead
Boy
English
Meadow or field
#725
Ervena
Girl
English
Italian
#726
Marliene
Girl
American
A blend of 'Maria' and 'Lina', often interpreted as 'beloved' or 'sea of bitterness'
#726
Atlean
Girl
American
English
#729
Clea
Girl
Greek
glory
#729
Wadena
Girl
Native American (Sioux)
to wake up, to rise
#730
Warne
Boy
United Kingdom
one who guards
#732
Remer
Boy
Germanic
remedy
#741
Elster
Boy
Germanic
A name referring to a magpie.
#742
Marilyn
Girl
American
star of the sea
#742
Olna
Girl
Russia
Russian
#745
Mablean
Girl
American
Variant of Mabel, meaning 'lovable'
#746
Moreland
Boy
English
marshland, boggy land
#747
Pat
Unisex
[English]
Short form of PATRICK or PATRICIA. A famous bearer of this name was Pat Garrett (1850-1908), the sheriff who shot Billy the Kid.
#749
Cloys
Boy
USA
A variant of Clovis, which means 'famous warrior'
#751
Wally
Boy
[English]
Diminutive of WALTER or WALLACE.
#751
Merrel
Boy
American
English
#753
Laverle
Girl
American
the small river
#754
Vear
Girl
American
English
#754
Hermenia
Girl
Spain
A variation of 'Herminia', often interpreted as 'the one who belongs to Hermes'
#758
Oteka
Girl
Nigeria
A source of joy
#758
Gaynol
Girl
American
English
#761
Garlond
Boy
American
A variant of Garland, meaning 'a wreath or chain of flowers, leaves, or stems.'
#762
Lyndal
Unisex
Australia
derived from the name 'Linda', meaning 'beautiful'
#763
Lamona
Girl
American
Derived from the Hebrew word 'lamon' meaning 'the one who brings light'.
#763
Christell
Girl
French
follower of Christ
#765
Pearlene
Girl
American
English
#765
Rc
Boy
American
Often interpreted as initials, commonly representing a person's first and last name.
#765
Arzetta
Girl
American
Italian
#768
Harrel
Boy
American
English
#768
Jerrald
Boy
American
English
#768
Neatha
Girl
English
English
#769
Tita
Girl
Spain
Bringer of joy
#771
Fayerene
Girl
English
fairy princess
#772