Illinois's most popular baby names in 1929

In the year 1929, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of classic and timeless names for their newborns. Topping the charts for baby girl names were Mary, Betty, and Dorothy, which were all popular choices for parents looking for traditional and elegant names for their daughters. Mary, in particular, was a favorite among parents, as it had been a top name for baby girls for decades.

For baby boys, the most popular names in Illinois in 1929 were Robert, John, and William. These names were also classic and timeless, and were favored by parents who wanted to give their sons strong and distinguished names. Robert, in particular, was a standout name, as it had been steadily rising in popularity in the United States since the turn of the century. Overall, the names chosen by parents in Illinois in 1929 were a reflection of the values and preferences of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1929

According to records from 1929, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Dolores, and Shirley. Mary was the most popular name with 3276 babies given this name, followed by Betty with 2301, Dorothy with 1851, Dolores with 1494, and Shirley with 1397. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

3276 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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

2301 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

1851 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Dolores

1494 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Shirley

1397 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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
1161 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Helen
1155 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Barbara
1140 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Joan
1078 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Margaret
953 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
864 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Marilyn
861 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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".
Ruth
838 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Lois
835 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Virginia
788 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Jean
776 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Norma
642 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Lorraine
621 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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".
Phyllis
614 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Alice
526 baby girls born in Illinois (1929) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1929

In Illinois in 1929, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, James, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 4394 babies given that name, followed by John with 3176 babies, William with 2763 babies, James with 2532 babies, and Richard with 2331 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

4394 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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

3176 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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

2763 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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

2532 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

2331 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
2319 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
1702 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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
1367 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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
1289 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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
1174 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
919 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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
876 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Frank
841 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Harold
799 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Kenneth
785 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jack
739 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Paul
679 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Eugene
678 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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.
David
598 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) 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.
Walter
575 baby boys born in Illinois (1929) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".