Illinois's most popular baby names in 1921

In the year 1921, Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for newborns. Mary, a name that has been a favorite for centuries, topped the list of baby girl names. This was closely followed by the equally timeless names of Dorothy and Helen, which were also popular choices among parents in the state.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name in Illinois in 1921. This was followed by the classic names of John and William, which have remained popular choices for parents for generations. These names continue to be popular even today, showcasing the enduring appeal of traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1921

According to the records of 1921, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Illinois with 3674 babies being named Mary. The second most popular name was Dorothy with 2731 babies, followed by Helen with 2249 babies. Margaret and Ruth were also popular names with 1463 and 1366 babies respectively being named these names in Illinois in 1921.

Mary

3674 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Dorothy

2731 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

2249 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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

1463 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth

1366 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Betty
1336 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Virginia
1266 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Mildred
997 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Evelyn
958 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Frances
868 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Florence
811 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Marjorie
803 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Lorraine
772 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Lorraine
The name Lorraine is of French origin and is derived from the region of Lorraine in France. The meaning of the name is "from Lorraine" or "dweller of Lorraine".
Irene
725 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Marie
720 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Anna
669 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Lillian
662 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Alice
657 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Shirley
636 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Doris
623 baby girls born in Illinois (1921) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1921

In Illinois, 1921, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, James, and Edward. Robert was the most popular name with 3761 babies given that name, followed by John with 3335 babies, William with 2679 babies, James with 2049 babies, and Edward with 1725 babies. These names were likely popular due to their traditional and classic sound.

Robert

3761 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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

3335 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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

2679 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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.
James

2049 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Edward

1725 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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".
Charles
1688 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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
1543 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Joseph
1386 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Frank
1143 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Richard
1039 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
989 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Raymond
979 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harold
957 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Walter
836 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Paul
747 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Thomas
743 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Arthur
654 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Kenneth
638 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Henry
621 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) 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.
Jack
586 baby boys born in Illinois (1921) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".