Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of Massachusetts witnessed a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Barbara, and Joan were among the most popular names chosen by parents for their little ones. Mary, which has been a popular name for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in Massachusetts, reflecting the state's deep-rooted religious and cultural traditions.

For baby boys, the names Robert, John, and Richard were the most favored choices. These names have a timeless appeal and have been popular for generations. The popularity of these names in Massachusetts in 1931 reflects a desire for strong, classic names that stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1931

In 1931, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Massachusetts, with a total of 1795 babies given that name. Barbara was the second most popular name, with 1454 babies named Barbara. Joan was the third most popular name, with 1080 babies given that name. Dorothy was the fourth most popular name, with 864 babies named Dorothy. Patricia rounded out the top five, with 626 babies given that name. These were the most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1931.

Mary

1795 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Barbara

1454 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Joan

1080 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Dorothy

864 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Patricia

626 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Margaret
620 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Jean
605 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Helen
596 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Elizabeth
545 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Ruth
536 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Nancy
490 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Lorraine
478 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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".
Shirley
464 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Marilyn
427 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Ann
424 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Ann
The name Ann is a variant of the name Anne, which is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor". The name has been popular throughout history and is often associated with strong and independent women.
Claire
422 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Claire
The name Claire is of French origin and means "clear" or "bright". It is derived from the Latin word "clarus". The name is often associated with a person who is intelligent, kind, and honest.
Virginia
415 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Doris
411 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Eleanor
400 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Phyllis
382 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1931) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1931

According to records from Massachusetts in 1931, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, William, and Joseph. Robert was the most popular name, with 2536 babies given that name. John came in second with 2270 babies, followed by Richard with 1658 babies. William was the fourth most popular name with 1449 babies, and Joseph rounded out the top five with 1226 babies given that name.

Robert

2536 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
John

2270 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Richard

1658 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

1449 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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

1226 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
1127 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
978 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Edward
900 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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
876 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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
809 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Paul
725 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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
610 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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
582 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Raymond
494 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
David
483 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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.
Arthur
440 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) 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
378 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter
362 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Albert
332 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Kenneth
292 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".