Missouri's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of Missouri saw a surge in the popularity of classic and timeless baby names. Mary, Betty, and Dorothy were the top baby girl names, while Robert, James, and William were the most favored names for baby boys.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, held its position at the top of the list for baby girls in Missouri. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, and Dorothy, meaning "gift of God," were also popular choices for parents. For baby boys, Robert, James, and William were the most commonly chosen names, all of which have a rich history and have remained popular even in modern times. These names reflect a time when traditional and classic names were the norm, and have stood the test of time as popular choices for parents.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1931

In 1931, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Missouri, with a total of 1885 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Betty, with 1572 babies given that name. Dorothy was the third most popular name, with 820 babies given that name. Shirley and Helen rounded out the top five, with 652 and 544 babies given those names, respectively. These were the most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1931.

Mary

1885 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Betty

1572 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

820 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley

652 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Helen

544 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Barbara
535 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Virginia
500 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Norma
490 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) 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.
Patricia
461 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Doris
446 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Margaret
415 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joan
379 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Ruth
330 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Bonnie
278 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Bonnie
The name Bonnie means "pretty" or "good" and is of Scottish origin. It is often used as a nickname for someone who is attractive or pleasant.
Wanda
273 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Anna
271 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) 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.
Lois
264 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Dolores
256 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Dolores
The name Dolores is of Spanish origin and means "sorrows" or "pains". It is derived from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, which translates to "Our Lady of Sorrows". The name was popularized in the 20th century by the famous Mexican actress Dolores del Río.
Mildred
250 baby girls born in Missouri (1931) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Jean
248 baby girls born in Missouri (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1931

According to data from 1931, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were Robert, James, William, John, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 1868 babies given that name, followed by James with 1442, William with 1158, John with 1112, and Donald with 1078. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

Robert

1868 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
James

1442 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1158 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
John

1112 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Donald

1078 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
1027 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Richard
738 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Billy
525 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
George
484 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Kenneth
448 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
396 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) 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.
Jack
395 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
369 baby boys born in Missouri (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".
Bobby
355 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Joseph
346 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
345 baby boys born in Missouri (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
342 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Raymond
321 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
David
292 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Eugene
286 baby boys born in Missouri (1931) 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.