Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1916

In the early 1900s, Minnesota saw a rise in popularity of traditional names for newborns. In 1916, the most popular baby girl names were Helen, Mary, and Dorothy. Helen, meaning "bright" or "shining light," held the top spot for the third year in a row. Mary, meaning "bitter" or "beloved," came in at a close second, followed by Dorothy, meaning "gift of God."

For baby boys, the names John, Robert, and William were the most common choices. John, meaning "God is gracious," held the top spot for the fifth year in a row. Robert, meaning "bright fame," came in at second place, followed by William, meaning "resolute protector." These classic and timeless names continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Minnesotans and serve as a reminder of the state's rich history and traditions.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1916

In Minnesota, 1916, the most popular baby girl names were Helen, Mary, Dorothy, Margaret, and Ruth. Helen topped the list with 817 babies given the name, followed closely by Mary with 810 babies. Dorothy was the third most popular name with 700 babies named, followed by Margaret with 676 babies and Ruth with 585 babies. These classic and timeless names were clearly popular choices for parents in Minnesota in 1916.

Helen

817 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Mary

810 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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

700 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

676 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth

585 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Evelyn
451 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Florence
365 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Mildred
352 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Alice
347 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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
305 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Lucille
286 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Lucille
The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.
Frances
286 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Esther
272 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Esther
Esther is a feminine given name of Persian origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to possibly mean "star" or "myrtle leaf". In the Bible, Esther was a queen of Persia who saved the Jewish people from genocide. The name has been popular among Jewish communities and has been used in various cultures around the world.
Marie
271 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Eleanor
269 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Lillian
262 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Gladys
261 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Bernice
249 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) named Bernice
The name Bernice means "she who brings victory" or "bringer of victory".
Elizabeth
242 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Doris
219 baby girls born in Minnesota (1916) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1916

According to records from 1916, the most popular baby boy names in Minnesota were John, Robert, William, George, and Donald. John was the most popular name with 915 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 721 babies. William, George, and Donald were also popular choices, with 556, 525, and 455 babies given those names, respectively.

John

915 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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

721 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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

556 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
George

525 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Donald

455 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Harold
428 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
James
385 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Raymond
346 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Edward
346 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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".
Joseph
323 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
303 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Walter
295 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Arthur
284 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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.
Richard
274 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
274 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
264 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Clarence
245 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Leonard
213 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Leonard
The name Leonard is derived from the Germanic name Leonhard, which means "brave lion" or "lion-hearted." It is a compound of two words, "leo" meaning lion and "hard" meaning brave or hardy. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and has been popular in English-speaking countries for centuries.
Carl
209 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.
Henry
199 baby boys born in Minnesota (1916) 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.