In the year 1916, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Helen and Dorothy. Mary has been a popular name for centuries and is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, meaning "beloved" or "wished-for child". Helen, on the other hand, is of Greek origin and means "bright" or "shining one". Dorothy is an English name that means "gift of God".
For baby boys, John took the top spot, followed by Joseph and William. John is a timeless name that has been popular for centuries and means "God is gracious". Joseph is also of Hebrew origin and means "he will add". William, on the other hand, is a Germanic name that means "resolute protector". These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents even today.
In Massachusetts in 1916, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 2754 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Helen, with 1473 babies given that name. Dorothy came in at number three with 1091 babies given that name. Margaret was the fourth most popular name with 883 babies given that name, and Ruth rounded out the top five with 863 babies given that name.
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 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.
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
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.
The name Rita is of Latin origin and means "pearl".
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
The name Marion is a unisex name of French origin, meaning "bitter" or "rebellious".
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.
According to data from Massachusetts in 1916, the most popular baby boy names were John, Joseph, William, James, and Robert. John was the most popular name with 2405 babies given that name, followed by Joseph with 1662 babies. William, James, and Robert were also popular names with 1468, 986, and 982 babies given those names respectively.
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.
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
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.
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.
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".
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
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.
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
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.
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
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.
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
The name Stanley means "stony clearing" or "rocky meadow".
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".