Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1911

In the year 1911, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed closely by Helen and Dorothy. Mary, which means "bitter" or "beloved," has been a popular name for centuries and was likely chosen for its religious connotations. Helen, meaning "bright" or "shining," was also a popular choice, possibly due to the fame of Helen of Troy or the popularity of the name in Greek mythology. Dorothy, meaning "gift of God," was another top choice for parents in Massachusetts.

For baby boys, John was the most popular name in Massachusetts in 1911, followed by Joseph and William. John, which means "God is gracious," has been a popular name for centuries and was likely chosen for its religious significance. Joseph, meaning "he will add," was also a popular choice, possibly due to the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. William, meaning "strong-willed warrior," was another top choice for parents in Massachusetts, possibly due to the popularity of the name among English royalty.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1911

In 1911, the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts was Mary, with 1248 babies given this name. Helen was the second most popular name with 678 babies, followed by Dorothy with 465 babies. Margaret and Ruth were also popular names with 460 and 336 babies named respectively. These names were likely influenced by cultural and historical trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1248 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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. Helen

    678 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  3. Dorothy

    465 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Dorothy

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

  4. Margaret

    460 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Margaret

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

  5. Ruth

    336 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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. Anna

    332 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  7. Alice

    331 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  8. Elizabeth

    276 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  9. Lillian

    256 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  10. Rose

    235 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Rose

    The name Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.

  11. Catherine

    233 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Catherine

    The name Catherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has various forms and spellings in different languages.

  12. Evelyn

    215 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  13. Florence

    213 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Florence

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

  14. Mildred

    212 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Mildred

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

  15. Irene

    211 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Irene

    The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.

  16. Frances

    199 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Frances

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

  17. Gertrude

    191 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Gertrude

    The name Gertrude means "spear of strength" and is of German origin.

  18. Eleanor

    182 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  19. Doris

    169 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  20. Marion

    167 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1911) named Marion

    The name Marion is a unisex name of French origin, meaning "bitter" or "rebellious".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1911

Based on the data from Massachusetts in 1911, the most popular baby boy names were John, Joseph, William, James, and George. John was the most popular name with 868 babies given that name, followed by Joseph with 562 babies, and William with 479 babies. James and George were also popular choices with 361 and 329 babies given those names respectively.

  1. John

    868 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  2. Joseph

    562 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Joseph

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

  3. William

    479 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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. James

    361 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named James

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

  5. George

    329 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  6. Edward

    318 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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".

  7. Charles

    301 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  8. Robert

    231 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  9. Arthur

    213 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  10. Frank

    211 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Frank

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

  11. Thomas

    203 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  12. Walter

    197 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Walter

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

  13. Francis

    195 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Francis

    The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.

  14. Henry

    160 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Henry

    The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.

  15. Albert

    149 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Albert

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

  16. Harold

    141 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  17. Raymond

    129 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Raymond

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

  18. Richard

    112 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Richard

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

  19. Paul

    112 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) 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.

  20. Louis

    107 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1911) named Louis

    The name Louis is of French origin and means "famous warrior" or "renowned fighter". It is derived from the Germanic name Ludwig, which is composed of the elements "hlud" meaning "famous" and "wig" meaning "warrior".