Illinois's most popular baby names in 1932

In the year 1932, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among the top baby girl names were Mary, Barbara, and Betty. Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for the most popular baby girl name in Illinois. Barbara, a name with Greek origins meaning "foreign woman," also proved to be a popular choice among parents. Betty, a diminutive form of Elizabeth, rounded out the top three baby girl names in the state.

For baby boys, Robert, John, and James were the most popular names in Illinois in 1932. Robert, a name with Germanic roots meaning "bright fame," held the top spot for the most popular baby boy name. John, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "God is gracious," was a close second. James, a name with English origins meaning "supplanter," rounded out the top three baby boy names in the state. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, proving that classic names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1932

In 1932, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Illinois, with a total of 2905 newborns given this name. Barbara came in second place with 1731 babies named that, followed by Betty with 1582 babies. Joan was the fourth most popular name with 1577 babies, and Patricia rounded out the top five with 1523 babies named that. These were the top five baby girl names in Illinois in 1932.

Mary

2905 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Barbara

1731 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Betty

1582 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joan

1577 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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

1523 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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
1295 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley
1051 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Marilyn
1018 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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".
Dolores
910 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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
773 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Nancy
740 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
736 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Lois
657 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Jean
644 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Joyce
641 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Ruth
604 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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
603 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Carol
599 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Norma
591 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Virginia
586 baby girls born in Illinois (1932) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1932

In 1932, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, John, James, Donald, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 3833 babies given that name, followed by John with 2758 babies, James with 2471 babies, Donald with 2422 babies, and William with 2351 babies. These classic and traditional names were popular choices for parents in Illinois during that time period.

Robert

3833 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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

2758 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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

2471 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald

2422 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William

2351 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Richard
2304 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
1646 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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
1085 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Ronald
1073 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Edward
1044 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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
984 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
913 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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 (1932) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
681 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Raymond
669 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Frank
644 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Jack
631 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
David
608 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Harold
588 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) 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.
Gerald
536 baby boys born in Illinois (1932) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.