Indiana's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls and boys. Mary, Helen, and Dorothy topped the list of most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, John, and William were the most popular names for baby boys.

The popularity of these names reflects the cultural and social trends of the time, as parents sought to honor family traditions and values. Mary, Helen, and Dorothy were classic names that had been popular for generations, while Robert, John, and William were strong and traditional names that conveyed a sense of stability and strength. These names continue to be popular today, reflecting the enduring appeal of traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1917

Based on the data from Indiana in 1917, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 2231 occurrences, followed by Helen with 1114 occurrences. Dorothy came in third with 829 occurrences, followed by Margaret with 707 occurrences and Ruth with 670 occurrences. These five names were the most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1917.

Mary

2231 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Helen

1114 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Dorothy

829 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

707 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth

670 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Mildred
545 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Virginia
537 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Martha
480 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Elizabeth
374 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Frances
369 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Anna
354 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Evelyn
345 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Thelma
302 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Thelma
The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".
Marjorie
291 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Alice
269 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Betty
267 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Esther
226 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Esther
Esther is a feminine given name of Persian origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to possibly mean "star" or "myrtle leaf". In the Bible, Esther was a queen of Persia who saved the Jewish people from genocide. The name has been popular among Jewish communities and has been used in various cultures around the world.
Florence
224 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Doris
224 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Irene
223 baby girls born in Indiana (1917) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1917

According to data from 1917, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Robert, John, William, Charles, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 1314 babies given that name, followed by John with 1180 babies and William with 1029 babies. Charles and James rounded out the top five with 960 and 819 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

1314 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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

1180 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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

1029 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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

960 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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.
James

819 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George
595 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Paul
503 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Harold
460 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Joseph
420 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
405 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
348 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Edward
325 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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".
Raymond
309 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Ralph
301 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Kenneth
291 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Walter
266 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Frank
253 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Harry
251 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Harry
The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".
Thomas
241 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) 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.
Carl
240 baby boys born in Indiana (1917) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.