California's most popular baby names in 1916

In the year 1916, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls and boys. Mary, Dorothy, and Margaret topped the list of most popular baby girl names, while John, Robert, and William were the most sought-after names for baby boys.

The popularity of these names can be attributed to their timeless charm and classic appeal. Parents in California were drawn to these names for their simplicity and elegance, making them a popular choice for generations to come. Even today, these names continue to hold a special place in the hearts of parents across the state.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1916

According to data from California in 1916, the most popular names for baby girls were Mary, Dorothy, Margaret, Helen, and Ruth. Mary was the most popular name with 1091 babies given that name, followed by Dorothy with 754, Margaret with 585, Helen with 584, and Ruth with 417. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity at the time, as well as their traditional and timeless appeal.

Mary

1091 baby girls born in California (1916) 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

754 baby girls born in California (1916) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

585 baby girls born in California (1916) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen

584 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.
Ruth

417 baby girls born in California (1916) 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
396 baby girls born in California (1916) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Virginia
388 baby girls born in California (1916) 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
298 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.
Alice
293 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.
Elizabeth
281 baby girls born in California (1916) 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
246 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.
Marjorie
241 baby girls born in California (1916) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Rose
229 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.
Eleanor
224 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.
Barbara
223 baby girls born in California (1916) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Josephine
217 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.
Florence
216 baby girls born in California (1916) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Betty
209 baby girls born in California (1916) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Jean
197 baby girls born in California (1916) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Doris
190 baby girls born in California (1916) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1916

Based on the data from California in 1916, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, George, and James. John was the most popular name with 1086 babies being given that name, followed closely by Robert with 903 babies and William with 902 babies. George and James rounded out the top five with 646 and 593 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

John

1086 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
Robert

903 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
William

902 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
George

646 baby boys born in California (1916) 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

593 baby boys born in California (1916) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
474 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
Frank
466 baby boys born in California (1916) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Joseph
352 baby boys born in California (1916) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jack
349 baby boys born in California (1916) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
342 baby boys born in California (1916) 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".
Richard
299 baby boys born in California (1916) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
253 baby boys born in California (1916) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Albert
252 baby boys born in California (1916) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Arthur
236 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
Walter
236 baby boys born in California (1916) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Henry
231 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
Paul
227 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
Harold
225 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.
Raymond
215 baby boys born in California (1916) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Thomas
209 baby boys born in California (1916) 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.