California's most popular baby names in 1920

In the year 1920, the state of California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Dorothy, and Margaret were among the top baby girl names of the year, with parents opting for traditional and timeless monikers for their little princesses. These names exuded elegance and grace, and were a testament to the enduring appeal of classic names.

For baby boys, the names Robert, John, and William were the most popular choices. These names were strong and masculine, and embodied the values of courage, strength, and honor. Whether it was for their sound or their meaning, these names were favored by parents across California, and continue to be popular to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1920

In 1920, the most popular baby girl names in California were Mary, Dorothy, Margaret, Helen, and Virginia. Mary was the most popular name with 1554 babies given this name. Dorothy was the second most popular name with 1091 babies given this name. Margaret, Helen, and Virginia were also popular names with 720, 719, and 633 babies given these names, respectively. These names were likely inspired by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

Mary

1554 baby girls born in California (1920) 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

1091 baby girls born in California (1920) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

720 baby girls born in California (1920) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen

719 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Virginia

633 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Betty
599 baby girls born in California (1920) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Ruth
545 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Barbara
522 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Frances
514 baby girls born in California (1920) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Evelyn
386 baby girls born in California (1920) 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
382 baby girls born in California (1920) 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
372 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Marjorie
348 baby girls born in California (1920) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Doris
345 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Jean
327 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Marie
301 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
June
289 baby girls born in California (1920) named June
June is a feminine name of English origin. It is derived from the name of the sixth month of the year, which was named after the Roman goddess Juno. The name June is often associated with summer and warmth. It can also symbolize youthfulness, vitality, and beauty.
Mildred
288 baby girls born in California (1920) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Eleanor
273 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.
Josephine
269 baby girls born in California (1920) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1920

In 1920, the most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, John, William, George, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 1821 babies being given that name, followed by John with 1309 babies named after him. William was the third most popular name with 1211 babies, while George and James rounded out the top five with 899 and 834 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures at the time.

Robert

1821 baby boys born in California (1920) 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.
John

1309 baby boys born in California (1920) 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

1211 baby boys born in California (1920) 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

899 baby boys born in California (1920) 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

834 baby boys born in California (1920) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
662 baby boys born in California (1920) 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
631 baby boys born in California (1920) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Richard
555 baby boys born in California (1920) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jack
544 baby boys born in California (1920) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
460 baby boys born in California (1920) 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".
Joseph
451 baby boys born in California (1920) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Donald
435 baby boys born in California (1920) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Raymond
327 baby boys born in California (1920) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harold
321 baby boys born in California (1920) 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.
Albert
318 baby boys born in California (1920) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Joe
310 baby boys born in California (1920) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Thomas
309 baby boys born in California (1920) 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.
Walter
305 baby boys born in California (1920) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Henry
301 baby boys born in California (1920) 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.
Arthur
281 baby boys born in California (1920) 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.