Illinois's most popular baby names in 1935

In the year 1935, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Shirley, and Barbara were among the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, John, and James were the top choices for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents across the state, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time.

Mary, a timeless classic, remained a popular choice for baby girls in Illinois. Shirley, a name that gained popularity in the 1930s, was also a top pick. Barbara, a name that had been steadily rising in popularity, continued to be a popular choice for parents. For baby boys, Robert, John, and James were the most commonly chosen names, reflecting the popularity of traditional and classic names in the state. These names continue to be popular even today, highlighting the enduring appeal of timeless names.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1935

According to records from 1935, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Shirley, Barbara, Patricia, and Joan. Mary was the most popular name, with 2569 babies given that name. Shirley followed closely behind with 2458 babies named that. Barbara, Patricia, and Joan were also popular names, with 1941, 1614, and 1312 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

2569 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Shirley

2458 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Barbara

1941 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Patricia

1614 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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

1312 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Betty
1135 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carol
1060 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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".
Marilyn
994 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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".
Nancy
983 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Dorothy
958 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joyce
729 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Donna
701 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Margaret
696 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dolores
642 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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
568 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Phyllis
566 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Virginia
533 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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
519 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Jean
517 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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
504 baby girls born in Illinois (1935) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1935

In 1935, the most popular baby boy name in Illinois was Robert, with 3591 babies given that name. John came in second place with 2780 babies, followed closely by James with 2776 babies. Richard was the fourth most popular name with 2571 babies, and Donald rounded out the top five with 2276 babies. These were the most commonly chosen names for baby boys in Illinois during that year.

Robert

3591 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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

2780 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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

2776 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

2571 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald

2276 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
2212 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Charles
1575 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Ronald
1528 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
1084 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Joseph
961 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
932 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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
859 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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".
Kenneth
854 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
David
807 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Frank
672 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Paul
656 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Jack
593 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Gerald
592 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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.
Raymond
573 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harold
534 baby boys born in Illinois (1935) 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.