Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1924

In the year 1924, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls and boys. Mary, Dorothy, and Helen topped the charts for baby girls, while John, Robert, and William were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless name that has been a favorite for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in Massachusetts in 1924. Dorothy, a name that gained popularity in the early 20th century, followed closely behind. Helen, another classic name that has stood the test of time, rounded out the top three. For baby boys, John was the most popular name, followed by Robert and William, both of which have remained popular choices for parents throughout the years. These names reflect the traditional values and preferences of parents in Massachusetts during the early 20th century.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1924

In Massachusetts in 1924, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 2746 babies given that name. Following close behind were Dorothy with 1326, Helen with 1231, Barbara with 958, and Ruth with 923. These five names were the most commonly chosen for baby girls in that year.

Mary

2746 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Dorothy

1326 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

1231 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Barbara

958 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Ruth

923 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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
897 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Rita
744 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) named Rita
The name Rita is of Latin origin and means "pearl".
Doris
675 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Elizabeth
661 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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
652 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Virginia
650 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Alice
627 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Irene
562 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Shirley
527 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Frances
504 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Phyllis
489 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Anna
484 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Marie
474 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Evelyn
474 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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
455 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1924

According to the records of Massachusetts in 1924, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, Joseph, and James. John was the most popular name with a total of 2810 babies named after it. Robert came in second with 2246 babies, followed by William with 1812 babies. Joseph and James were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 1657 and 1288 babies named after them, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures at the time.

John

2810 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Robert

2246 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
William

1812 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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

1657 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James

1288 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Edward
1279 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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".
George
1209 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Richard
1004 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
981 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Francis
739 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Thomas
695 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Arthur
658 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Paul
639 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.
Donald
631 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Raymond
614 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Walter
601 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Frank
588 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Henry
504 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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
502 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Harold
431 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1924) 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.