Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1926

In the year 1926, the state of Massachusetts saw a rise in popularity of traditional and timeless names for newborns. The top baby girl names were Mary, Dorothy, and Barbara, each holding a special place in the hearts of parents looking for classic names with a touch of elegance. Mary, in particular, held the top spot for the most popular baby girl name, reflecting the state's deep-rooted religious values.

For baby boys, the names John, Robert, and William were the most popular choices. These names were also steeped in tradition and had a strong sense of masculinity attached to them. Parents in Massachusetts seemed to have a preference for names that were familiar, easy to pronounce, and had a rich history behind them. Overall, the baby names of 1926 in Massachusetts reflected a sense of simplicity and timelessness that still holds true today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1926

In Massachusetts, 1926, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 2331 babies given that name. Following Mary, the next four most popular names were Dorothy (1141), Barbara (994), Helen (972), and Ruth (861).

Mary

2331 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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

1141 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Barbara

994 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Helen

972 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Ruth

861 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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
807 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Rita
673 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Rita
The name Rita is of Latin origin and means "pearl".
Doris
610 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Theresa
601 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Theresa
The name Theresa is of Greek origin and means "harvester" or "reaper". It was also the name of a popular Christian saint, Saint Theresa of Avila, who was known for her devotion to God and her mystical experiences. The name Theresa has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Jean
601 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Elizabeth
584 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Shirley
579 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Virginia
551 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Eleanor
540 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Alice
540 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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
495 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Phyllis
493 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Marie
492 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Frances
418 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Evelyn
416 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1926

According to records from 1926, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were John, Robert, William, Joseph, and James. John was the most popular name with 2632 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 2366. William was the third most popular name with 1767 babies named that, while Joseph and James rounded out the top five with 1512 and 1216 babies given those names, respectively.

John

2632 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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

2366 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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

1767 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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

1512 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James

1216 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
1165 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
1131 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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
1075 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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
905 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Donald
763 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Francis
728 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Paul
672 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Thomas
644 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Raymond
611 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Arthur
603 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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
520 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter
500 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Albert
493 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Henry
420 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.
Harold
372 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1926) 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.