Indiana's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Topping the list of most popular baby girl names were Mary, Betty, and Barbara. These timeless names have remained popular over the years and continue to be a popular choice for parents looking for classic and traditional names for their little ones.

For baby boys, the names Robert, James, and Richard were the most commonly chosen names in Indiana in 1931. These strong and classic names have also stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents today. Whether you're looking for a timeless name or something more unique, the top baby names of 1931 in Indiana offer a great starting point for inspiration.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1931

According to data from 1931, the most popular baby girl name in Indiana was Mary, with 1581 babies given that name. Following Mary were Betty (1197), Barbara (956), Patricia (693), and Norma (546), respectively. These five names were the most common for baby girls born in Indiana during that time period.

Mary

1581 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Betty

1197 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

956 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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

693 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Norma

546 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Dorothy
517 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joan
465 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Phyllis
455 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Marilyn
444 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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".
Helen
439 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Ruth
405 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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
390 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Shirley
349 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Martha
345 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Margaret
339 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
319 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Nancy
294 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Lois
284 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Beverly
261 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Joyce
259 baby girls born in Indiana (1931) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1931

According to records from 1931, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Robert, James, Richard, Donald, and John. Robert was the most common name, with 1,993 babies given that name. James followed closely behind with 1,262 babies named James. Richard, Donald, and John rounded out the top five with 1,152, 1,109, and 1,107 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity at the time and their traditional and classic sound.

Robert

1993 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
James

1262 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

1152 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald

1109 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William

1107 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
John
1107 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Charles
905 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Jack
547 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
George
427 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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
424 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Thomas
400 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
David
361 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Kenneth
359 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
355 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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
318 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
272 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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".
Ralph
231 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Raymond
230 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Carl
225 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) 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.
Ronald
222 baby boys born in Indiana (1931) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.