Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby boys and girls. The top baby girl names were Mary, Helen, and Dorothy, while the top baby boy names were John, Joseph, and William. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents even today.

Mary, the most popular name for baby girls in Massachusetts in 1917, has been a classic choice for centuries. Helen and Dorothy, the other top names for baby girls that year, were also popular choices during that era. For baby boys, John, Joseph, and William were the most popular names, reflecting the strong influence of religion and tradition in naming practices at the time. These names have remained popular over the years, with many parents choosing them for their timeless appeal and cultural significance.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1917

In Massachusetts in 1917, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Helen, Dorothy, Ruth, and Margaret. Mary was the most popular name with 2818 babies given that name. Helen came in second with 1537 babies, followed by Dorothy with 1157 babies, Ruth with 991 babies, and Margaret with 947 babies. These names were likely influenced by cultural and historical trends of the time.

Mary

2818 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Helen

1537 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Dorothy

1157 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth

991 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Margaret

947 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Rita
768 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) named Rita
The name Rita is of Latin origin and means "pearl".
Elizabeth
673 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Alice
665 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Anna
657 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) 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.
Eleanor
585 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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 Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.
Rose
540 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) 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.
Frances
519 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Evelyn
493 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Lillian
490 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Marion
482 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) named Marion
The name Marion is a unisex name of French origin, meaning "bitter" or "rebellious".
Doris
475 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Catherine
472 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) 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.
Florence
452 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Mildred
451 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Virginia
450 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1917

In 1917, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were John, Joseph, William, Robert, and George. John was the most popular name with 2471 babies given that name. Joseph came in second with 1590 babies named Joseph. William was the third most popular name with 1519 babies given that name. Robert and George were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 1162 and 1035 babies given those names respectively.

John

2471 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Joseph

1590 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
William

1519 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Robert

1162 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
George

1035 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
James
996 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Edward
994 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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".
Charles
917 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Frank
679 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Francis
631 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) 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
599 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Walter
592 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Albert
544 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Thomas
531 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) 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.
Richard
497 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Henry
443 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) 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.
Paul
420 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Raymond
413 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harold
402 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Anthony
367 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1917) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".