Illinois's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Helen, and Dorothy were the top baby girl names, while John, William, and Robert were the most popular baby boy names. These names reflected the trends of the time, with traditional and classic names being favored by parents.

Mary, in particular, was a popular choice for baby girls in Illinois in 1917. The name has a long history and is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, meaning "bitterness" or "rebelliousness". Similarly, John and William were classic names that had been popular for centuries, while Robert was a name that had been steadily growing in popularity since the 19th century. Overall, the baby names of 1917 in Illinois reflected a desire for traditional and timeless names that would stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1917

According to data from 1917, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Helen, Dorothy, Ruth, and Margaret. Mary was the most common name with 3474 babies given that name, followed by Helen with 2629 babies, Dorothy with 2227 babies, Ruth with 1440 babies, and Margaret with 1416 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

3474 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Helen

2629 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Dorothy

2227 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth

1440 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Margaret

1416 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Mildred
1107 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Virginia
1055 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Evelyn
931 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Marie
883 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Florence
853 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Frances
824 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Anna
804 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Irene
748 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Lillian
724 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Lillian
The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.
Rose
689 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Rose
The name Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.
Eleanor
687 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Eleanor
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.
Elizabeth
674 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Elizabeth
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.
Bernice
646 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Bernice
The name Bernice means "she who brings victory" or "bringer of victory".
Alice
640 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Lucille
627 baby girls born in Illinois (1917) named Lucille
The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1917

In 1917, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were John, William, Robert, Edward, and James. John was the most popular name with 3146 babies named John that year, followed by William with 2342 babies named William. Robert came in third place with 2329 babies named Robert, while Edward and James rounded out the top five with 1622 and 1572 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and family traditions at the time.

John

3146 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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

2342 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Robert

2329 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Edward

1622 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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".
James

1572 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph
1562 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
1520 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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
1468 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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
1157 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter
985 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Raymond
858 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harold
858 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Richard
706 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Paul
623 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Arthur
623 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Henry
597 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Thomas
593 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) 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.
Harry
589 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Harry
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".
Donald
580 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Stanley
521 baby boys born in Illinois (1917) named Stanley
The name Stanley means "stony clearing" or "rocky meadow".