Illinois's most popular baby names in 1928

In the year 1928, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Betty, and Dorothy were among the top names for baby girls, with parents opting for classic and timeless choices. Mary, in particular, held a special place in the hearts of many Illinois families, as it was the most popular name for baby girls that year.

For baby boys, Robert, John, and William were the most popular choices. These names also held a sense of tradition and familiarity, with parents choosing to honor family members or simply embrace names that had stood the test of time. Overall, the top baby names in Illinois in 1928 reflected a desire for names that were both classic and meaningful.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1928

According to records from 1928, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Dolores, and Helen. Mary was the most popular name, given to 3416 baby girls, followed by Betty with 2316, Dorothy with 2014, Dolores with 1355, and Helen with 1281. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical events of the time, as well as traditional family naming practices.

Mary

3416 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Betty

2316 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

2014 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Dolores

1355 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Helen

1281 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Shirley
1272 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Patricia
1060 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Margaret
984 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Barbara
956 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Ruth
943 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Doris
871 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Virginia
852 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Lois
793 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Lorraine
783 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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".
Jean
719 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Marilyn
710 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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".
Norma
697 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Joan
635 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Rose
554 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Evelyn
546 baby girls born in Illinois (1928) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1928

In Illinois, 1928, Robert was the most popular name given to baby boys with a total of 4459 babies receiving the name. John came in second with 3289 babies, followed by William with 2785 babies. James and Richard were also popular names with 2379 and 2272 babies receiving those names respectively.

Robert

4459 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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

3289 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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

2785 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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

2379 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

2272 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
2128 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
1653 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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
1381 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Edward
1324 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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".
Joseph
1233 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Frank
889 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Thomas
855 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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
850 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Kenneth
838 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
835 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Jack
745 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Eugene
717 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Eugene
The name Eugene means "well-born" or "noble" and has Greek origins. It was a popular name in the early 20th century but has since declined in popularity.
Paul
687 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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.
Walter
658 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Arthur
539 baby boys born in Illinois (1928) 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.