California's most popular baby names in 1929

As one of the most populous states in the US, California has always been a trendsetter when it comes to baby names. In the year 1929, the state saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for both baby girls and boys. Mary, Barbara, and Betty topped the list of most popular baby girl names, while Robert, John, and Richard were the most favored names for baby boys.

The popularity of these names can be attributed to their timeless charm and simplicity. Parents in California seemed to prefer traditional names that have stood the test of time, and these names continue to be popular choices even today. Whether you're a fan of vintage names or simply looking for inspiration for your baby's name, the top baby names of 1929 in California are a great place to start.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1929

According to records from 1929, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in California with 1717 newborns being given that name. Barbara came in second with 1378 babies being named that, followed by Betty with 1236, Patricia with 857, and Dorothy with 757. These were the top five most popular baby girl names in California in 1929.

Mary

1717 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Barbara

1378 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Betty

1236 baby girls born in California (1929) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

857 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Dorothy

757 baby girls born in California (1929) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley
597 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Helen
559 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Dolores
557 baby girls born in California (1929) named Dolores
The name Dolores is of Spanish origin and means "sorrows" or "pains". It is derived from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, which translates to "Our Lady of Sorrows". The name was popularized in the 20th century by the famous Mexican actress Dolores del Río.
Margaret
547 baby girls born in California (1929) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
546 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Beverly
541 baby girls born in California (1929) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Gloria
485 baby girls born in California (1929) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Joan
483 baby girls born in California (1929) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Doris
406 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Alice
402 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Frances
401 baby girls born in California (1929) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Ruth
398 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Marilyn
358 baby girls born in California (1929) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Jean
345 baby girls born in California (1929) 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.
Joyce
343 baby girls born in California (1929) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1929

In California, 1929, the most popular baby boy name was Robert, with 2425 babies given that name. John came in second with 1528 babies, followed by Richard with 1443 babies. William was the fourth most popular baby boy name with 1350 babies, and Donald rounded out the top five with 1199 babies.

Robert

2425 baby boys born in California (1929) 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

1528 baby boys born in California (1929) 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.
Richard

1443 baby boys born in California (1929) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

1350 baby boys born in California (1929) 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.
Donald

1199 baby boys born in California (1929) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James
1081 baby boys born in California (1929) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George
823 baby boys born in California (1929) 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
730 baby boys born in California (1929) 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
633 baby boys born in California (1929) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Frank
626 baby boys born in California (1929) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
David
616 baby boys born in California (1929) 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.
Edward
491 baby boys born in California (1929) 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".
Joe
465 baby boys born in California (1929) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Raymond
443 baby boys born in California (1929) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Joseph
408 baby boys born in California (1929) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Manuel
380 baby boys born in California (1929) named Manuel
The name Manuel is of Spanish and Portuguese origin and means "God is with us".
Thomas
363 baby boys born in California (1929) 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.
Paul
361 baby boys born in California (1929) 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.
Kenneth
348 baby boys born in California (1929) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Albert
329 baby boys born in California (1929) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".