Michigan's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Michigan saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, which has been a favorite name for centuries, topped the list of most popular baby girl names in Michigan. Helen and Dorothy followed closely behind, both names that had also been popular for many years.

For baby boys, the top three names were John, Robert, and William. These names were also traditional favorites, and had been popular for generations. John, which has been a popular name for boys for centuries, was the most popular name for baby boys in Michigan in 1917.

Overall, it seems that parents in Michigan in 1917 were drawn to classic, traditional names for their babies. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Michigan in 1917

Based on the data from Michigan in 1917, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Helen, Dorothy, Margaret, and Ruth. Mary was the most commonly given name with 1774 babies receiving it, followed by Helen with 1485 babies, Dorothy with 1214 babies, Margaret with 1012 babies, and Ruth with 868 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular trends and cultural traditions at the time.

Mary

1774 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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

1485 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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

1214 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

1012 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth

868 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Virginia
707 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Elizabeth
514 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Mildred
509 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Frances
489 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Evelyn
474 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Irene
465 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Marie
455 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Florence
431 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Eleanor
402 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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
384 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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
365 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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
361 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Lillian
355 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Betty
330 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Gertrude
329 baby girls born in Michigan (1917) named Gertrude
The name Gertrude means "spear of strength" and is of German origin.

Most popular baby boy names in Michigan in 1917

According to records from 1917, the most popular baby boy names in Michigan were John, Robert, William, Edward, and George. John was the most popular name with 1614 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 1421, William with 1233, Edward with 832, and George with 791. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

John

1614 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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

1421 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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

1233 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Edward

832 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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

791 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Joseph
787 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
704 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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.
James
671 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
644 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Walter
568 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Frank
567 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Harold
528 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Richard
455 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Raymond
452 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Arthur
426 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Henry
408 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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.
Stanley
336 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Stanley
The name Stanley means "stony clearing" or "rocky meadow".
Harry
335 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Harry
The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".
Kenneth
314 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
309 baby boys born in Michigan (1917) 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.