Illinois's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the number of newborns and parents were eager to give their little ones the perfect names. Mary, Betty, and Barbara were among the top choices for baby girls, with parents opting for traditional and timeless names. Mary, in particular, held the top spot as the most popular name for baby girls, reflecting the state's strong religious roots.

For baby boys, Robert, John, and James were the most popular names, with parents again choosing classic names that held significant meaning. These names were a reflection of the times, with parents looking for strong, masculine names that would stand the test of time. Overall, the names chosen by parents in Illinois in 1931 reflected a desire for traditional and timeless names that would carry their children through life.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1931

In 1931, the most popular baby girl name in Illinois was Mary, with a total of 3,119 babies being given that name. Following Mary were Betty with 1,900, Barbara with 1,554, Joan with 1,514, and Patricia with 1,425 babies being named after them. These five names were the most common choices for parents of baby girls in Illinois during that year.

Mary

3119 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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

1900 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

1554 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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

1514 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Patricia

1425 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Dorothy
1420 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley
1174 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Dolores
1114 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Marilyn
970 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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".
Helen
897 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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
811 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Jean
706 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Ruth
702 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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
700 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Virginia
668 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Nancy
660 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Doris
651 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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
608 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) 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
536 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Gloria
535 baby girls born in Illinois (1931) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1931

In 1931, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, John, James, Richard, and William. Robert was the most common name with 4231 babies given this name. John and James followed closely with 3045 and 2664 babies respectively. Richard and William were also popular names with 2441 and 2430 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Robert

4231 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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

3045 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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

2664 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

2441 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2430 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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
2423 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
1536 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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
1132 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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
1033 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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
1025 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
991 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Kenneth
765 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jack
708 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Raymond
704 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Frank
696 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Ronald
686 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Harold
657 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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.
David
654 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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.
Paul
641 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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
587 baby boys born in Illinois (1931) 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.