In the year 1930, the state of District of Columbia saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls and boys. Mary, Betty, and Barbara topped the list of most popular baby girl names, while William, Robert, and James took the lead for baby boy names.
Mary, a name with biblical roots, has been a consistent favorite for baby girls for centuries. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, also has a strong religious background and was a popular name in the 1930s. Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," was a more modern choice for parents at the time. For baby boys, William, Robert, and James were classic choices that have remained popular through the years. These names have strong associations with royalty, history, and literature, making them timeless choices for parents.
In District of Columbia in 1930, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 293 babies given that name. Following Mary were Betty with 143, Barbara with 116, Dorothy with 111, and Margaret with 98. These were the top five baby girl names in the district during that year.
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.
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
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.
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
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.
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
The name Catherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has various forms and spellings in different languages.
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
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.
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.
The name Louise is derived from the Old German name Ludwig, which means "renowned warrior" or "famous in battle". It is a feminine form of the name Louis.
According to records from 1930, the most popular baby boy names in District of Columbia were William, Robert, James, John, and Charles. William was the most popular name, with 285 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 275 babies. James was the third most popular name with 266 babies named James, while John was the fourth most popular name with 259 babies given that name. Finally, Charles was the fifth most popular name with 176 babies named Charles.
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
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.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
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.
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.
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
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".
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
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.
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.
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.
The name Bernard is of Germanic origin and is derived from the words "bern" which means "bear" and "hard" which means "strong" or "brave". Therefore, the name Bernard means "strong as a bear" or "brave as a bear".
The name Herbert is of Germanic origin and means "bright army" or "illustrious warrior".