California's most popular baby names in 1912

In the year 1912, the state of California witnessed a surge in baby names that were traditional, classic and timeless. The top baby girl names of the year were Mary, Dorothy, and Helen, all of which have been popular for decades. Mary, in particular, has been a favorite among parents for centuries and has been consistently featured in the top baby names list.

For baby boys, John, William, and Robert were the most popular names of the year. These names, too, have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even today. Whether you're looking for a name that is traditional and classic or one that has a timeless appeal, the top baby names of 1912 in California offer a great starting point for any parent.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1912

In California, 1912, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Dorothy, Helen, Margaret, and Ruth. Mary was the top name with 534 babies given that name, followed by Dorothy with 406, Helen with 321, Margaret with 280, and Ruth with 221. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends at the time.

Mary

534 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Dorothy

406 baby girls born in California (1912) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

321 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Margaret

280 baby girls born in California (1912) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth

221 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Frances
184 baby girls born in California (1912) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Alice
181 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Virginia
175 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Evelyn
174 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Elizabeth
172 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Marie
157 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Mildred
146 baby girls born in California (1912) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Florence
141 baby girls born in California (1912) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Rose
127 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Josephine
107 baby girls born in California (1912) named Josephine
The name Josephine means "God will increase" or "He will add" and is of French origin. It is the feminine form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew name Yosef.
Edith
103 baby girls born in California (1912) named Edith
The name Edith means "prosperous in war" or "rich battle" and is of English and Old German origin. It was a popular name during the Anglo-Saxon period and has been used throughout history.
Grace
102 baby girls born in California (1912) 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.
Edna
100 baby girls born in California (1912) named Edna
The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.
Marjorie
98 baby girls born in California (1912) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Eleanor
95 baby girls born in California (1912) named Eleanor
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1912

In California in 1912, the most popular baby boy names were John, William, Robert, George, and James. John was the most popular name, with 501 babies given that name. William was the second most popular name, with 412 babies given that name. Robert was the third most popular name, with 350 babies given that name. George was the fourth most popular name, with 307 babies given that name. James was the fifth most popular name, with 257 babies given that name.

John

501 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.
William

412 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.
Robert

350 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.
George

307 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.
James

257 baby boys born in California (1912) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Frank
253 baby boys born in California (1912) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Charles
222 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.
Joseph
204 baby boys born in California (1912) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
180 baby boys born in California (1912) 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".
Jack
144 baby boys born in California (1912) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Richard
141 baby boys born in California (1912) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Albert
136 baby boys born in California (1912) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Harold
124 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.
Walter
120 baby boys born in California (1912) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Thomas
117 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.
Donald
113 baby boys born in California (1912) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Raymond
111 baby boys born in California (1912) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Henry
108 baby boys born in California (1912) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Fred
107 baby boys born in California (1912) 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".
Paul
107 baby boys born in California (1912) 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.