California's most popular baby names in 1930

In the year 1930, California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names, with Mary, Barbara, and Betty taking the top spots for baby girls. These names were a reflection of the cultural and societal trends of the time, as parents sought to give their daughters names that were both traditional and fashionable.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, Richard, and John, which were also indicative of the era's values and preferences. These names were strong and classic, evoking a sense of stability and reliability that was highly prized in the midst of economic uncertainty and social upheaval. Overall, the top baby names of 1930 in California reflect the hopes and dreams of a generation, as they sought to build a better future for themselves and their children.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1930

According to data from California in 1930, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 1850 babies given that name. Barbara came in second with 1412 babies named, followed by Betty with 1172 babies named. Patricia and Dorothy rounded out the top five with 865 and 834 babies named, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

Mary

1850 baby girls born in California (1930) 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

1412 baby girls born in California (1930) 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

1172 baby girls born in California (1930) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

865 baby girls born in California (1930) 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

834 baby girls born in California (1930) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley
712 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Joan
603 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Virginia
589 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Dolores
589 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Beverly
582 baby girls born in California (1930) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Helen
573 baby girls born in California (1930) 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
549 baby girls born in California (1930) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Marilyn
520 baby girls born in California (1930) 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".
Gloria
483 baby girls born in California (1930) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Alice
441 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Nancy
423 baby girls born in California (1930) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Ruth
410 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Joyce
385 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Jean
384 baby girls born in California (1930) 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.
Frances
370 baby girls born in California (1930) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1930

In California in the year 1930, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Richard, John, William, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 2460 babies given that name. Richard came in second with 1598 babies, followed by John with 1558 babies. William and Donald were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 1321 and 1282 babies given those names respectively.

Robert

2460 baby boys born in California (1930) 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.
Richard

1598 baby boys born in California (1930) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1558 baby boys born in California (1930) 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

1321 baby boys born in California (1930) 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

1282 baby boys born in California (1930) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James
1169 baby boys born in California (1930) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
842 baby boys born in California (1930) 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.
George
777 baby boys born in California (1930) 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.
Frank
681 baby boys born in California (1930) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
David
638 baby boys born in California (1930) 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.
Jack
637 baby boys born in California (1930) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
564 baby boys born in California (1930) 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
513 baby boys born in California (1930) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Raymond
478 baby boys born in California (1930) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Thomas
442 baby boys born in California (1930) 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.
Joseph
396 baby boys born in California (1930) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
390 baby boys born in California (1930) 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
387 baby boys born in California (1930) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
346 baby boys born in California (1930) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Harold
343 baby boys born in California (1930) 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.