In the year 1915, the state of Ohio saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The most common baby girl names were Mary, Helen, and Ruth, while the top baby boy names were John, Robert, and William. These names were chosen by parents for their newborns for a variety of reasons, including family tradition, religious significance, or simply because they were fashionable at the time. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to explore the cultural and societal factors that influenced the naming trends of this era. By examining the most popular baby names of 1915, we can gain insight into the values and beliefs of the people living in Ohio at the time.
In Ohio, 1915, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 3653 occurrences. Helen came in second with 2185 occurrences, followed by Ruth with 1646 occurrences. Dorothy and Margaret were the fourth and fifth most popular names, respectively, with 1627 and 1458 occurrences. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming conventions of the time, with biblical and literary influences.
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 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 Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
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.
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 is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
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 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 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 Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name AliƩnor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.
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.
Based on historical records, the top 5 most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1915 were John, Robert, William, Charles, and James. John was the most popular name with 2449 babies given this name, followed by Robert with 2199 babies, and William with 1946 babies. Charles and James rounded out the top 5 with 1391 and 1313 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely chosen by parents for a variety of reasons, including family traditions, religious or cultural significance, and popular trends of the time.
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 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 Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
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 Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
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.
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
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.
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 Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.