California's most popular baby names in 1911

In the year 1911, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for baby boys and girls. Topping the list of most popular baby girl names were Mary, Dorothy, and Helen, while John, William, and Robert were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless name of biblical origin, held the top spot for baby girls in California in 1911. Dorothy, a name that means "gift of God," followed closely behind, and Helen, a name of Greek origin meaning "bright" or "shining," rounded out the top three. For baby boys, John, a name that has been popular for centuries, was the most commonly chosen name, followed by William, a name of Germanic origin meaning "resolute protector," and Robert, a name of Old German origin meaning "bright fame." These classic names continue to be popular choices for parents today, showcasing their enduring appeal and timeless charm.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1911

In California, 1911, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 390 babies given that name. Dorothy came in second with 241 babies, followed closely by Helen with 209 babies. Margaret was the fourth most popular name with 204 babies, and Ruth rounded out the top five with 156 babies given that name.

  1. Mary

    390 baby girls born in California (1911) 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.

  2. Dorothy

    241 baby girls born in California (1911) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  3. Helen

    209 baby girls born in California (1911) named Helen

    Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

  4. Margaret

    204 baby girls born in California (1911) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  5. Ruth

    156 baby girls born in California (1911) named Ruth

    The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.

  6. Frances

    136 baby girls born in California (1911) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  7. Alice

    127 baby girls born in California (1911) named Alice

    The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.

  8. Evelyn

    125 baby girls born in California (1911) named Evelyn

    The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.

  9. Marie

    103 baby girls born in California (1911) named Marie

    The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.

  10. Elizabeth

    96 baby girls born in California (1911) named Elizabeth

    Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

  11. Florence

    94 baby girls born in California (1911) named Florence

    Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".

  12. Virginia

    92 baby girls born in California (1911) named Virginia

    The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.

  13. Mildred

    89 baby girls born in California (1911) named Mildred

    The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".

  14. Lillian

    81 baby girls born in California (1911) named Lillian

    The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.

  15. Grace

    81 baby girls born in California (1911) named Grace

    The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.

  16. Hazel

    79 baby girls born in California (1911) named Hazel

    The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.

  17. Marjorie

    78 baby girls born in California (1911) named Marjorie

    The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".

  18. Doris

    77 baby girls born in California (1911) named Doris

    The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.

  19. Rose

    76 baby girls born in California (1911) named Rose

    The name Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.

  20. Louise

    72 baby girls born in California (1911) named Louise

    The name Louise is derived from the Old German name Ludwig, which means "renowned warrior" or "famous in battle". It is a feminine form of the name Louis.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1911

Based on the data from California in 1911, the most popular baby boy names were John, William, Robert, George, and James. John was the most popular name, with 214 babies given that name, followed closely by William with 203 babies. Robert, George, and James were also popular choices, with 153, 143, and 119 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

  1. John

    214 baby boys born in California (1911) 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.

  2. William

    203 baby boys born in California (1911) 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.

  3. Robert

    153 baby boys born in California (1911) 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.

  4. George

    143 baby boys born in California (1911) 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.

  5. James

    119 baby boys born in California (1911) named James

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

  6. Charles

    110 baby boys born in California (1911) 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.

  7. Frank

    109 baby boys born in California (1911) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".

  8. Joseph

    82 baby boys born in California (1911) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  9. Jack

    71 baby boys born in California (1911) named Jack

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

  10. Harry

    69 baby boys born in California (1911) named Harry

    The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".

  11. Edward

    69 baby boys born in California (1911) 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".

  12. Thomas

    68 baby boys born in California (1911) 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.

  13. Arthur

    58 baby boys born in California (1911) named Arthur

    The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.

  14. Raymond

    56 baby boys born in California (1911) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  15. Paul

    54 baby boys born in California (1911) 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.

  16. Albert

    53 baby boys born in California (1911) named Albert

    The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".

  17. Richard

    51 baby boys born in California (1911) named Richard

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

  18. Louis

    50 baby boys born in California (1911) named Louis

    The name Louis is of French origin and means "famous warrior" or "renowned fighter". It is derived from the Germanic name Ludwig, which is composed of the elements "hlud" meaning "famous" and "wig" meaning "warrior".

  19. Fred

    50 baby boys born in California (1911) named Fred

    The name Fred is a short form of the name Frederick, which is of Germanic origin. The meaning of the name is "peaceful ruler" or "peaceful leader".

  20. Harold

    49 baby boys born in California (1911) named Harold

    The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.