Kansas's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of Kansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for both baby boys and girls. Mary, Betty, and Dorothy were the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, Donald, and James topped the charts for baby boys.

These names reflect the cultural trends of the time, as parents sought to honor family members and historical figures with timeless monikers. Whether inspired by religious figures, literary heroes, or beloved relatives, these names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents in Kansas and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Kansas in 1931

In Kansas, 1931, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Barbara, and Donna. Mary was the most popular name with 838 babies receiving the name, followed by Betty with 670 babies. Dorothy, Barbara, and Donna were also popular names with 366, 356, and 306 babies receiving those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional naming conventions of the time.

Mary

838 baby girls born in Kansas (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

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

366 baby girls born in Kansas (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Barbara

356 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Donna

306 baby girls born in Kansas (1931) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Patricia
288 baby girls born in Kansas (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
286 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Shirley
278 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Margaret
231 baby girls born in Kansas (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
224 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Doris
215 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Virginia
215 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Phyllis
214 baby girls born in Kansas (1931) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Joan
212 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Ruth
212 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Marilyn
191 baby girls born in Kansas (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".
Lois
184 baby girls born in Kansas (1931) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Joyce
161 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Wanda
150 baby girls born in Kansas (1931) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Wilma
147 baby girls born in Kansas (1931) named Wilma

Most popular baby boy names in Kansas in 1931

According to records from 1931, Robert was the most popular baby boy name in Kansas with 921 boys being named Robert. Donald came in second with 714 babies given that name. James was the third most popular name with 565 boys being named James, followed closely by John with 545 babies given that name. William rounded out the top five with 466 boys being named William in Kansas in 1931.

Robert

921 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Donald

714 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James

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

545 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
William

466 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Richard
449 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
416 baby boys born in Kansas (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
264 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Harold
247 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Kenneth
227 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
196 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Billy
185 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Paul
169 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Raymond
164 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Gerald
139 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Marvin
139 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Marvin
The name Marvin is of Welsh origin and means "sea hill" or "great hill near the sea".
Frank
135 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Ralph
134 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Eugene
132 baby boys born in Kansas (1931) 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.
David
130 baby boys born in Kansas (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.