California's most popular baby names in 1921

In the year 1921, California saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, a name that has been a favorite for centuries, took the top spot for baby girls. It was closely followed by Dorothy and Betty, two names that had gained popularity in the early 1900s.

For baby boys, the top three names were Robert, John, and William. These names have been popular for generations and continue to be popular even today. The parents of 1921 seemed to prefer classic and timeless names for their little ones, reflecting their desire for stability and tradition in a rapidly changing world.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1921

In California, 1921, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 1697 instances. Following Mary, the next four popular baby girl names were Dorothy with 1162 instances, Betty with 780 instances, Helen with 743 instances, and Margaret with 715 instances. These were the top five baby girl names in California in 1921.

Mary

1697 baby girls born in California (1921) 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

1162 baby girls born in California (1921) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Betty

780 baby girls born in California (1921) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Helen

743 baby girls born in California (1921) 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

715 baby girls born in California (1921) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
683 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
Barbara
653 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
Ruth
541 baby girls born in California (1921) 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
477 baby girls born in California (1921) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Marjorie
444 baby girls born in California (1921) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Evelyn
430 baby girls born in California (1921) 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
393 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
Jean
385 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
Elizabeth
361 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
June
338 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
Marie
330 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
Doris
323 baby girls born in California (1921) 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.
Patricia
295 baby girls born in California (1921) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Mildred
280 baby girls born in California (1921) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Eleanor
254 baby girls born in California (1921) 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 1921

Based on the data from California in 1921, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, George, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 1875 babies given that name, followed by John with 1489 babies, William with 1416 babies, George with 890 babies, and James with 866 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures or historical events of the time.

Robert

1875 baby boys born in California (1921) 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

1489 baby boys born in California (1921) 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

1416 baby boys born in California (1921) 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

890 baby boys born in California (1921) 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

866 baby boys born in California (1921) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Frank
689 baby boys born in California (1921) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jack
650 baby boys born in California (1921) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Richard
629 baby boys born in California (1921) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
584 baby boys born in California (1921) 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.
Donald
532 baby boys born in California (1921) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Edward
524 baby boys born in California (1921) 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
474 baby boys born in California (1921) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Raymond
384 baby boys born in California (1921) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Albert
365 baby boys born in California (1921) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Harold
337 baby boys born in California (1921) 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.
Joe
334 baby boys born in California (1921) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Paul
333 baby boys born in California (1921) 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.
Thomas
329 baby boys born in California (1921) 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
293 baby boys born in California (1921) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Henry
293 baby boys born in California (1921) 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.