Illinois's most popular baby names in 1930

In the year 1930, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the name Mary took the top spot, followed closely by Betty and Dorothy. These classic names have been popular for decades and continue to be used even today.

For baby boys, the names Robert, John, and James were the most popular choices. These names have a timeless appeal and have remained popular throughout the years. It's interesting to see how certain names have stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents even after so many years.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1930

In Illinois, 1930, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 3442 babies being named Mary. Following closely behind were Betty with 2263, Dorothy with 1738, Dolores with 1461, and Patricia with 1441 babies being named those names. These were the top five baby girl names in Illinois during that year.

Mary

3442 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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

2263 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

1738 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Dolores

1461 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Patricia

1441 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Joan
1297 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Barbara
1287 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Shirley
1234 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Helen
1075 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Marilyn
1008 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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".
Margaret
897 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Lois
844 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Ruth
791 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Virginia
778 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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
753 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Doris
752 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Norma
700 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Phyllis
625 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Lorraine
608 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) 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".
Nancy
591 baby girls born in Illinois (1930) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1930

According to the records from 1930, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, John, James, William, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 4673 babies being given that name, followed by John with 3178 babies, James with 2732 babies, William with 2727 babies, and Donald with 2503 babies. These names were very common during that time period and were likely influenced by cultural and societal trends.

Robert

4673 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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

3178 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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.
James

2732 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2727 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Donald

2503 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
2454 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
1737 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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
1311 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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
1156 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
1141 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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".
Thomas
934 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Frank
844 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
811 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Kenneth
788 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jack
752 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Harold
748 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Paul
664 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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.
David
644 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Eugene
638 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) 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.
Ronald
587 baby boys born in Illinois (1930) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.