Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Minnesota saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. The top baby girl names were Helen, Mary, and Dorothy, while the top baby boy names were John, Robert, and William.

Helen, a name of Greek origin meaning "bright" or "shining," was the most popular baby girl name in Minnesota in 1917. Mary, a name with biblical roots meaning "bitter" or "beloved," took the second spot, followed closely by Dorothy, a name of English origin meaning "gift of God." For baby boys, John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," was the most popular name, followed by Robert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame," and William, a name of Germanic origin meaning "resolute protector." These classic names continue to stand the test of time and remain popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1917

In Minnesota, 1917, the top 5 most popular baby girl names were Helen, Mary, Dorothy, Margaret, and Ruth. Helen was the most popular name with 819 babies given that name, followed by Mary with 756 babies. Dorothy, Margaret, and Ruth were also very popular, with 720, 710, and 516 babies given those names respectively.

Helen

819 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Mary

756 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Dorothy

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

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

516 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Evelyn
472 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Mildred
345 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Florence
339 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Alice
334 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Irene
333 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Marie
298 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Lucille
293 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) 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
269 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Bernice
268 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) named Bernice
The name Bernice means "she who brings victory" or "bringer of victory".
Gladys
255 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Doris
251 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Lorraine
247 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) 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".
Lillian
242 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Esther
227 baby girls born in Minnesota (1917) 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.
Elizabeth
226 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1917

In Minnesota in the year 1917, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, Donald, and George. John was the most popular name with 903 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 813 babies. William was the third most popular name with 586 babies given that name. Donald and George were the fourth and fifth most popular names, respectively, with 526 and 491 babies given those names.

John

903 baby boys born in Minnesota (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

813 baby boys born in Minnesota (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

586 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Donald

526 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George

491 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
James
384 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Harold
382 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Raymond
377 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Joseph
340 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
337 baby boys born in Minnesota (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".
Charles
297 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Kenneth
289 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Richard
283 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Walter
279 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Arthur
265 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Frank
234 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Clarence
234 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Lloyd
199 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Lloyd
Henry
197 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Lawrence
193 baby boys born in Minnesota (1917) named Lawrence
The name Lawrence is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". It has been a popular name throughout history and is often associated with strength, honor, and victory.