California's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Betty were among the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, Richard, and John topped the list for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents across the state for their timeless appeal and classic charm.

Mary, the most popular baby girl name of the year, has been a favorite among parents for centuries. Barbara and Betty, both of which were in the top three, also have a timeless quality that has helped them remain popular through the years. Meanwhile, Robert, Richard, and John have been favored by parents of baby boys for their strong, traditional sound. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, proving that classic names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1931

In California in 1931, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1626 babies being given that name. Barbara was the second most popular name with 1479 babies being named that. Betty was the third most popular name with 1053 babies being given that name. Patricia was the fourth most popular name with 928 babies being named that. Dorothy was the fifth most popular name with 723 babies being given that name.

Mary

1626 baby girls born in California (1931) 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

1479 baby girls born in California (1931) 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

1053 baby girls born in California (1931) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

928 baby girls born in California (1931) 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

723 baby girls born in California (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joan
690 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.
Shirley
674 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.
Marilyn
601 baby girls born in California (1931) 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".
Beverly
580 baby girls born in California (1931) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Margaret
551 baby girls born in California (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Gloria
527 baby girls born in California (1931) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Virginia
517 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.
Helen
505 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.
Nancy
485 baby girls born in California (1931) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Dolores
485 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.
Joyce
445 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.
Ruth
375 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.
Alice
337 baby girls born in California (1931) 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
331 baby girls born in California (1931) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Jean
322 baby girls born in California (1931) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1931

In California in 1931, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Richard, John, William, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 2416 baby boys given that name, followed by Richard with 1604, John with 1546, William with 1318, and Donald with 1287. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

Robert

2416 baby boys born in California (1931) 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

1604 baby boys born in California (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1546 baby boys born in California (1931) 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

1318 baby boys born in California (1931) 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

1287 baby boys born in California (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James
1182 baby boys born in California (1931) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
825 baby boys born in California (1931) 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
800 baby boys born in California (1931) 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.
Jack
639 baby boys born in California (1931) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
David
637 baby boys born in California (1931) 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.
Frank
584 baby boys born in California (1931) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Edward
478 baby boys born in California (1931) 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".
Ronald
456 baby boys born in California (1931) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
439 baby boys born in California (1931) 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
424 baby boys born in California (1931) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Joe
413 baby boys born in California (1931) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Joseph
407 baby boys born in California (1931) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
403 baby boys born in California (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
367 baby boys born in California (1931) 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
324 baby boys born in California (1931) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".