Kansas's most popular baby names in 1916

In the year 1916, the state of Kansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Helen, and Dorothy emerged as the top three names for baby girls, while John, William, and Charles topped the charts for baby boys.

These names reflect the timeless appeal of classic monikers that have stood the test of time. Whether inspired by family traditions or simply chosen for their popularity, these names continue to be widely used today, a testament to their enduring popularity and charm.

Most popular baby girl names in Kansas in 1916

According to data from 1916, the most popular baby girl names in Kansas were Mary, Helen, Dorothy, Ruth, and Margaret. Mary was the most popular with 757 babies given that name, followed by Helen with 571, Dorothy with 549, Ruth with 399, and Margaret with 377. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

Mary

757 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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

571 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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

549 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth

399 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Margaret

377 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Mildred
348 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Frances
249 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Virginia
220 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Alice
209 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Elizabeth
183 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Evelyn
178 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Anna
174 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Irene
171 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Hazel
169 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Hazel
The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.
Marjorie
168 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Edna
164 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Edna
The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.
Maxine
163 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Maxine
Marie
161 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Esther
161 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Doris
159 baby girls born in Kansas (1916) 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 Kansas in 1916

Based on the data from Kansas in 1916, the most popular baby boy names were John, William, Charles, Robert, and James. John was the most popular name with 590 occurrences, followed closely by William with 485 occurrences. Charles and Robert were also popular with 483 and 446 occurrences respectively. James rounded out the top five with 382 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical names that were popular at the time.

John

590 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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

485 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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

483 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Robert

446 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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

382 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Harold
314 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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.
George
309 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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
217 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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.
Joseph
205 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Donald
201 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
197 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ralph
191 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Edward
189 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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
188 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Richard
181 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Walter
170 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Clarence
166 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Frank
163 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Harry
152 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) 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".
Lawrence
151 baby boys born in Kansas (1916) named Lawrence
The name Lawrence is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". It has been a popular name throughout history and is often associated with strength, honor, and victory.