Maine's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Maine saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Dorothy, and Helen were the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, John, and William were the top choices for baby boys. These names have stood the test of time and are still considered classic names today.

The popularity of these names can be attributed to the cultural and social norms of the time, where traditional names were highly valued and often passed down from generation to generation. These names also have strong historical and religious significance, adding to their enduring appeal. Overall, the most popular baby names in Maine in 1917 reflect a deep appreciation for tradition and a desire to honor family and cultural heritage.

Most popular baby girl names in Maine in 1917

According to the records of Maine in 1917, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Dorothy, Helen, Ruth, and Margaret. Mary was the most common name with 249 babies being named Mary, followed by Dorothy with 226 babies, Helen with 172 babies, Ruth with 166 babies, and Margaret with 124 babies. These names were likely chosen based on their popularity at the time, as well as their traditional and timeless qualities.

  1. Mary

    249 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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

    226 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Dorothy

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

  3. Helen

    172 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  4. Ruth

    166 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  5. Margaret

    124 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Margaret

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

  6. Elizabeth

    113 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  7. Frances

    109 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Frances

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

  8. Barbara

    98 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  9. Evelyn

    96 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  10. Alice

    95 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  11. Doris

    91 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  12. Virginia

    90 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

  13. Phyllis

    85 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Phyllis

    The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.

  14. Pauline

    85 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Pauline

    The name Pauline is a feminine name of French origin. It is the feminine form of the name Paul, which means "small" or "humble" in Latin. The name Pauline is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and a strong will. It is a classic name that has been popular for centuries and is still widely used today.

  15. Eleanor

    84 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Eleanor

    The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name AliƩnor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.

  16. Mildred

    82 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Mildred

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

  17. Florence

    82 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Florence

    Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".

  18. Irene

    81 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Irene

    The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.

  19. Lillian

    79 baby girls born in Maine (1917) named Lillian

    The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.

  20. Marie

    78 baby girls born in Maine (1917) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Maine in 1917

In Maine, 1917, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, George, and Charles. Robert was the most popular name with 229 babies being named that, followed closely by John with 225 babies. William, George, and Charles were also popular names with 155, 154, and 150 babies being named after them, respectively. These names were likely chosen due to their classic and timeless nature, as well as their popularity in the broader American culture at the time.

  1. Robert

    229 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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. John

    225 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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.

  3. William

    155 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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.

  4. George

    154 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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.

  5. Charles

    150 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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. Joseph

    142 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Joseph

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

  7. James

    124 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named James

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

  8. Harold

    122 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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.

  9. Donald

    110 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Donald

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

  10. Edward

    102 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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".

  11. Arthur

    100 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Arthur

    The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.

  12. Richard

    94 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Richard

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

  13. Raymond

    84 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Raymond

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

  14. Kenneth

    82 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Kenneth

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

  15. Paul

    76 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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.

  16. Ralph

    74 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Ralph

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

  17. Albert

    72 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Albert

    The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".

  18. Lawrence

    71 baby boys born in Maine (1917) 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.

  19. Frank

    69 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Frank

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

  20. Philip

    66 baby boys born in Maine (1917) named Philip

    The name Philip is of Greek origin and means "lover of horses".