Indiana's most popular baby names in 1921

In the year 1921, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Dorothy, and Betty emerged as the top baby girl names, while Robert, William, and John were the most popular choices for baby boys.

These names were not only popular in Indiana, but across the United States as well. Mary, in particular, had been a popular name for decades and continued to hold its position as the number one baby girl name in the country. The popularity of these names reflects the cultural and societal influences of the time, and they continue to be timeless classics that are still used today.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1921

According to records from 1921, the most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Mary, Dorothy, Betty, Helen, and Ruth. Mary was the most popular name with 2633 babies given that name, followed by Dorothy with 1073 babies, Betty with 1044 babies, Helen with 972 babies, and Ruth with 777 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    2633 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  2. Dorothy

    1073 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  3. Betty

    1044 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  4. Helen

    972 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  5. Ruth

    777 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  6. Margaret

    717 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  7. Virginia

    658 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  8. Mildred

    542 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Mildred

    The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".

  9. Martha

    536 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  10. Marjorie

    492 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Marjorie

    The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".

  11. Evelyn

    412 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  12. Frances

    395 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  13. Anna

    345 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  14. Doris

    341 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  15. Elizabeth

    327 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  16. Alice

    286 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  17. Thelma

    263 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Thelma

    The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".

  18. Wilma

    241 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Wilma

  19. Lois

    232 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) named Lois

    The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".

  20. Norma

    227 baby girls born in Indiana (1921) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1921

According to the data from Indiana in 1921, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, William, John, James, and Charles. Robert was the most popular name with 2254 babies being given that name. William and John came in second and third place with 1340 and 1320 babies respectively. James and Charles followed closely behind with 1189 and 1122 babies named after them. These names were very common during that time period and were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless appeal.

  1. Robert

    2254 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  2. William

    1340 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  3. John

    1320 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  4. James

    1189 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  5. Charles

    1122 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  6. Richard

    649 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  7. George

    616 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  8. Paul

    559 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  9. Harold

    522 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  10. Donald

    496 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  11. Joseph

    446 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  12. Edward

    374 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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".

  13. Ralph

    351 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Ralph

    The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".

  14. Kenneth

    336 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  15. Jack

    332 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Jack

    The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".

  16. Raymond

    326 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  17. Harry

    303 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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".

  18. Eugene

    287 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) 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.

  19. Walter

    285 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Walter

    Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".

  20. Frank

    276 baby boys born in Indiana (1921) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".