California's most popular baby names in 1923

In the year 1923, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary took the lead as the most common name, followed by Betty and Dorothy. These classic names have remained popular throughout the years and continue to be a favorite among parents.

For baby boys, Robert was the top choice, followed closely by John and William. These names exude strength and masculinity, and have also stood the test of time. It's clear that parents in California in 1923 had a preference for traditional and timeless names for their little ones.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1923

According to data from 1923, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in California with 1829 babies given that name. Betty and Dorothy were close behind with 1169 and 1167 babies given those names, respectively. Barbara and Margaret rounded out the top five with 874 and 806 babies given those names.

Mary

1829 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Betty

1169 baby girls born in California (1923) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

1167 baby girls born in California (1923) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Barbara

874 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Margaret

806 baby girls born in California (1923) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
736 baby girls born in California (1923) 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
717 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Ruth
577 baby girls born in California (1923) 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
529 baby girls born in California (1923) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Patricia
488 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Marjorie
449 baby girls born in California (1923) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Jean
407 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Alice
407 baby girls born in California (1923) 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
393 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Evelyn
365 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Marie
357 baby girls born in California (1923) 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
356 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
Shirley
340 baby girls born in California (1923) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Eleanor
337 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.
June
330 baby girls born in California (1923) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1923

In California in 1923, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, James, and George. Robert was the most popular name with 2259 babies given that name, followed by John with 1673 babies, and William with 1616 babies. James and George were also popular names with 1060 and 970 babies given those names respectively.

Robert

2259 baby boys born in California (1923) 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

1673 baby boys born in California (1923) 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

1616 baby boys born in California (1923) 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.
James

1060 baby boys born in California (1923) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George

970 baby boys born in California (1923) 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.
Richard
880 baby boys born in California (1923) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
753 baby boys born in California (1923) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Frank
710 baby boys born in California (1923) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Charles
699 baby boys born in California (1923) 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.
Jack
655 baby boys born in California (1923) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
540 baby boys born in California (1923) 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
473 baby boys born in California (1923) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Harold
456 baby boys born in California (1923) 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.
Thomas
429 baby boys born in California (1923) 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.
Raymond
413 baby boys born in California (1923) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Paul
409 baby boys born in California (1923) 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.
Joe
406 baby boys born in California (1923) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Albert
396 baby boys born in California (1923) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
David
366 baby boys born in California (1923) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Walter
358 baby boys born in California (1923) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".