Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1912

In the year 1912, the state of Massachusetts witnessed the arrival of numerous newborns, each with a unique name. However, some names were more popular than others. The most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts were Mary, Helen, and Dorothy, while the top baby boy names were John, Joseph, and William.

Mary, a timeless classic, topped the charts as the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts in 1912. Helen, another classic name, followed closely behind, while Dorothy, a name that has gained popularity in recent years, also made it to the top three. On the other hand, John, Joseph, and William were the most popular baby boy names, with John leading the pack. These names have stood the test of time and are still widely used today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1912

In 1912, the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts was Mary, with a total of 1636 baby girls given that name. Following Mary, the next popular names were Helen, with 829 babies named, Dorothy with 647, Margaret with 597, and Alice with 423. These names were the top choices for parents in Massachusetts during that year.

Mary

1636 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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

829 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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

647 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

597 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Alice

423 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Ruth
421 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Anna
368 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Elizabeth
359 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Rose
322 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Catherine
303 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Lillian
300 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Mildred
284 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Frances
259 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Evelyn
256 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Florence
253 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Eleanor
251 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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 Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.
Doris
232 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Gertrude
228 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) named Gertrude
The name Gertrude means "spear of strength" and is of German origin.
Marion
226 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) named Marion
The name Marion is a unisex name of French origin, meaning "bitter" or "rebellious".
Marie
211 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1912) 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 Massachusetts in 1912

According to records from 1912, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were John, Joseph, William, James, and George. John was the most popular name with 1276 babies given that name. Joseph came in second with 877 babies, followed by William with 796 babies. James and George rounded out the top five with 597 and 533 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless qualities, and many of them continue to be popular today.

John

1276 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Joseph

877 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
William

796 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
James

597 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George

533 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Edward
503 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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".
Charles
500 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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
403 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Frank
354 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Thomas
341 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Francis
335 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Arthur
294 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Walter
260 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Henry
241 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Albert
222 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Harold
205 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Paul
205 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) 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.
Richard
192 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Raymond
189 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Alfred
189 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1912) named Alfred
The name Alfred means "wise counselor" or "elf counsel" and has Old English origins.