Missouri's most popular baby names in 1926

In the year 1926, the state of Missouri witnessed a surge in baby names, with Mary, Betty, and Dorothy taking the lead for baby girls, while Robert, James, and William topped the charts for baby boys. Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, held the top spot for the third consecutive year, with Betty close behind in second place. Dorothy, a name that gained popularity in the early 20th century, secured the third spot.

For baby boys, Robert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame," was the most popular name in Missouri in 1926. James, a name with Hebrew roots meaning "supplanter," held the second spot, while William, a name that has been popular for centuries, secured the third spot. These names were a reflection of the cultural and historical influences of the time and continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Missourians.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1926

According to data from 1926, the most popular baby girl names in Missouri were Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Helen, and Virginia. Mary was the most popular name with 2098 babies given that name, followed by Betty with 1455 babies, Dorothy with 1207 babies, Helen with 751 babies, and Virginia with 665 babies. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless appeal.

Mary

2098 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Betty

1455 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

1207 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

751 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Virginia

665 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Ruth
542 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Margaret
508 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Mildred
423 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Doris
415 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Norma
397 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Anna
355 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Shirley
355 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Wilma
329 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Wilma
Frances
320 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Ruby
298 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Ruby
The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.
Lois
292 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Evelyn
288 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Martha
279 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Marjorie
276 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Alice
270 baby girls born in Missouri (1926) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1926

Based on the data from Missouri in 1926, the most popular baby boy names were Robert with 1879 occurrences, followed by James with 1600 occurrences, William with 1535 occurrences, John with 1370 occurrences, and Charles with 1051 occurrences. These names were the top choices for parents in Missouri during that year.

Robert

1879 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
James

1600 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1535 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
John

1370 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Charles

1051 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Donald
653 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
639 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
630 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Harold
542 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Edward
448 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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".
Kenneth
441 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
419 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Joseph
411 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jack
409 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Raymond
400 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Thomas
354 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Billy
350 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Carl
324 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) 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.
Eugene
301 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Eugene
The name Eugene means "well-born" or "noble" and has Greek origins. It was a popular name in the early 20th century but has since declined in popularity.
Frank
295 baby boys born in Missouri (1926) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".