In the year 1920, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. The top baby girl names were Mary, Helen, and Dorothy, while the top baby boy names were Robert, John, and William. These names have stood the test of time and continue to remain popular even today.
Mary, meaning "bitter" or "beloved," has been a favorite among parents for centuries. Helen, meaning "light" or "shining," is a classic name that has been in use since ancient times. Dorothy, meaning "gift of God," was a popular name among Christians in the early 20th century. Similarly, Robert, John, and William are timeless names that have been passed down through generations and continue to be popular choices for baby boys.
In Indiana, 1920, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 2394 occurrences. Helen followed in second place with 1055 occurrences, and Dorothy came in third place with 958 occurrences. Ruth and Betty tied for fourth place with 764 occurrences each. These were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1920.
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 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.
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
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.
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
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.
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
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.
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".
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.
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
According to the data of baby boy names in Indiana in 1920, the most popular name was Robert, with a total of 1850 babies given this name. John came in second place with 1229 babies named, followed closely by William with 1196 babies. James was the fourth most popular name, with 1124 babies given this name, and Charles rounded out the top five with 1035 babies named.
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.
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.
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
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.
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
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.
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.
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
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".
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
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.
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
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".