Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1920

In the year 1920, the state of Massachusetts welcomed a new generation of babies with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Mary was the top choice, followed closely by Helen and Dorothy. These classic names reflect the enduring popularity of traditional names that have stood the test of time.

On the boys' side, John was the most popular name, followed by William and Joseph. These names have a strong biblical and historical significance, and were likely chosen by parents who valued tradition and stability. Overall, the top baby names of 1920 in Massachusetts reflect a timeless and enduring trend towards classic names that remain popular even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1920

In 1920, the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts was Mary, with 2970 babies given this name. Following closely behind were Helen with 1515, Dorothy with 1239, Ruth with 1060, and Margaret with 1004. These five names were the most commonly chosen for baby girls in Massachusetts during this time period.

Mary

2970 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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

1515 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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

1239 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth

1060 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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

1004 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Rita
781 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) named Rita
The name Rita is of Latin origin and means "pearl".
Elizabeth
643 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Eleanor
633 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Barbara
626 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Alice
626 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Doris
562 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Anna
555 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Virginia
532 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Frances
522 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Lillian
501 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Catherine
497 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Irene
475 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Florence
467 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Evelyn
464 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Rose
463 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1920

In 1920, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were John, William, Joseph, Robert, and Edward. John was the most popular name with 2700 babies being named John. William followed closely behind with 1715 babies named William. Joseph was the third most popular name with 1662 babies, while Robert and Edward were fourth and fifth with 1594 and 1227 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity at the time and their traditional and classic sound.

John

2700 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
William

1715 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Joseph

1662 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Robert

1594 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Edward

1227 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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".
James
1226 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George
1080 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Charles
909 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Richard
725 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
678 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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
659 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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
645 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Frank
609 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter
591 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Albert
552 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Paul
538 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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
509 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Henry
450 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.
Donald
413 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Harold
392 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1920) 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.