Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1928

In the year 1928, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Barbara, and Dorothy were the top choices for parents, reflecting a desire for classic names with a timeless appeal. Mary, in particular, held the top spot for the fourth year in a row, cementing its status as a beloved and enduring name.

For baby boys, the most popular names were Robert, John, and William. These names also reflect a preference for traditional and timeless choices, with each name holding a strong cultural significance. Robert, in particular, was a popular choice, reflecting the popularity of the name among American presidents and historical figures. Overall, the top baby names in Massachusetts in 1928 reflect a desire for names that are both classic and meaningful.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1928

In 1928, the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts were Mary, Barbara, Dorothy, Helen, and Ruth. Mary was the most popular name with 2150 babies given that name. Barbara came in second with 1272 babies, followed by Dorothy with 1110 babies, Helen with 739 babies, and Ruth with 711 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

  1. Mary

    2150 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  2. Barbara

    1272 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  3. Dorothy

    1110 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  4. Helen

    739 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  5. Ruth

    711 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  6. Margaret

    682 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  7. Shirley

    638 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  8. Jean

    621 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  9. Doris

    614 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  10. Theresa

    608 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  11. Elizabeth

    557 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  12. Lorraine

    552 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) named Lorraine

    The name Lorraine is of French origin and is derived from the region of Lorraine in France. The meaning of the name is "from Lorraine" or "dweller of Lorraine".

  13. Phyllis

    520 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) named Phyllis

    The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.

  14. Patricia

    513 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) named Patricia

    The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.

  15. Virginia

    506 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  16. Eleanor

    486 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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 AliƩnor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.

  17. Alice

    470 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  18. Marie

    467 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  19. Irene

    466 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) named Irene

    The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.

  20. Rita

    450 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1928) named Rita

    The name Rita is of Latin origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1928

Based on the data from 1928 in Massachusetts, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, Richard, and Joseph. Robert was the most popular with 2614 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 2597. William, Richard, and Joseph rounded out the top five with 1676, 1468, and 1376 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Robert

    2614 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  2. John

    2597 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  3. William

    1676 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  4. Richard

    1468 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. Joseph

    1376 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  6. James

    1220 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  7. Edward

    1092 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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".

  8. George

    1010 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  9. Charles

    871 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  10. Donald

    842 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  11. Paul

    726 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  12. Francis

    671 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  13. Thomas

    662 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  14. Raymond

    566 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  15. Arthur

    565 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) 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.

  16. Frank

    488 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".

  17. Albert

    465 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Albert

    The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".

  18. Alfred

    441 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Alfred

    The name Alfred means "wise counselor" or "elf counsel" and has Old English origins.

  19. Walter

    424 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named Walter

    Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".

  20. David

    392 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1928) named David

    The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.