In the year 1914, the state of Ohio saw a surge in baby names that would eventually become classics. Mary, Helen, and Dorothy were the top baby girl names, while John, Robert, and William took the lead for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Ohio, but also across the United States. They were chosen by parents who wanted to give their children names that were traditional, timeless, and strong. As a historian and expert on names, I can attest to the enduring popularity of these names, which have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.
In 1914, the most popular baby girl names in Ohio were Mary, Helen, Dorothy, Ruth, and Margaret. Mary was the most popular name with 2731 babies named Mary that year. Helen came in second with 1630 babies named Helen. Dorothy was the third most popular name with 1192 babies named Dorothy. Ruth and Margaret rounded out the top five with 1152 and 1093 babies named Ruth and Margaret, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular figures and cultural trends of the time.
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 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.
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
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.
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
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.
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.
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.
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
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.
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
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.
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.
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.
The name Catherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has various forms and spellings in different languages.
The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".
The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.
In Ohio, 1914, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, Charles, and James. John was the most popular name with 1848 babies being named so. Robert and William followed closely with 1584 and 1382 babies respectively. Charles and James were also popular with 1070 and 879 babies being named so. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming patterns of the time, with parents often choosing names that had been popular for generations.
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.
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.
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
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.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
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.
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.
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
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".
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.
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
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.
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
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".
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".