California's most popular baby names in 1926

In the year 1926, the state of California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Betty, and Barbara were the most popular baby girl names, while Robert, John, and William were the most popular baby boy names. These names were commonly chosen by parents across the state, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time.

Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, was the most popular choice for baby girls in California in 1926. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, and Barbara, a name with Greek origins meaning "foreign woman," were also popular choices. For baby boys, Robert, John, and William were the top picks, reflecting a preference for traditional and timeless names. These names continue to be popular today, showcasing the enduring appeal of these classic choices.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1926

According to the records of the state of California in 1926, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Betty, Barbara, Dorothy, and Margaret. Mary was the most popular name with 1721 babies being given this name. Betty was a close second with 1358 babies named Betty. Barbara, Dorothy, and Margaret were also popular names with 1307, 975, and 725 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical events of the time.

Mary

1721 baby girls born in California (1926) 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

1358 baby girls born in California (1926) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

1307 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
Dorothy

975 baby girls born in California (1926) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

725 baby girls born in California (1926) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
718 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
Patricia
718 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
Virginia
626 baby girls born in California (1926) 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
585 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
Shirley
499 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
Gloria
495 baby girls born in California (1926) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Frances
440 baby girls born in California (1926) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Jean
419 baby girls born in California (1926) 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
393 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
Doris
366 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
Marjorie
362 baby girls born in California (1926) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Beverly
362 baby girls born in California (1926) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Lois
352 baby girls born in California (1926) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Evelyn
344 baby girls born in California (1926) 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.
June
334 baby girls born in California (1926) 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 1926

In 1926, the most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, John, William, Richard, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2485 babies given that name. John came in second with 1648 babies, followed by William with 1491 babies. Richard and James completed the top five with 1331 and 1125 babies respectively.

Robert

2485 baby boys born in California (1926) 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

1648 baby boys born in California (1926) 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

1491 baby boys born in California (1926) 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.
Richard

1331 baby boys born in California (1926) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

1125 baby boys born in California (1926) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
982 baby boys born in California (1926) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
950 baby boys born in California (1926) 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.
Charles
796 baby boys born in California (1926) 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
725 baby boys born in California (1926) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jack
671 baby boys born in California (1926) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
578 baby boys born in California (1926) 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".
Raymond
480 baby boys born in California (1926) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Joe
436 baby boys born in California (1926) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
David
433 baby boys born in California (1926) 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.
Paul
428 baby boys born in California (1926) 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.
Albert
419 baby boys born in California (1926) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Joseph
408 baby boys born in California (1926) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
408 baby boys born in California (1926) 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.
Arthur
403 baby boys born in California (1926) 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.
Kenneth
391 baby boys born in California (1926) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".