Ohio's most popular baby names in 1916

In the year 1916, the state of Ohio saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Mary, Helen, and Dorothy, while the top baby boy names were John, Robert, and William. These names were not only popular in Ohio, but across the United States as well. Each name had its own unique history and meaning, and was chosen by parents for a variety of reasons. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to explore the cultural and societal influences that led to the popularity of these names in Ohio during this time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1916

In Ohio in 1916, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 3736 newborns receiving the name. The second most popular name was Helen, with 2253 babies named Helen. Dorothy came in third place with 1718 newborns named Dorothy, while Ruth followed closely behind with 1673 babies receiving the name. The fifth most popular name for baby girls in Ohio in 1916 was Margaret, with a total of 1509 newborns given the name. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Mary

3736 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Helen

2253 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Dorothy

1718 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth

1673 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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

1509 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
906 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Mildred
882 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Elizabeth
833 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Anna
758 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Evelyn
666 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Betty
644 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Frances
638 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Florence
602 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Martha
571 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Alice
567 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Marie
563 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Rose
523 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Rose
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.
Irene
492 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Catherine
454 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Catherine
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.
Eleanor
448 baby girls born in Ohio (1916) named Eleanor
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1916

In Ohio, 1916, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, Charles, and James. John was the most popular name with 2558 babies given that name. Robert came in second with 2475 babies, followed by William with 2024 babies. Charles and James rounded out the top five with 1485 and 1426 babies respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming conventions of the time, with many parents opting for timeless names that have remained popular to this day.

John

2558 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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

2475 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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

2024 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Charles

1485 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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.
James

1426 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph
1170 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
1159 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Paul
951 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Edward
881 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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".
Richard
865 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Frank
802 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Harold
729 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Donald
677 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Carl
560 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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.
Walter
554 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Ralph
546 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Raymond
532 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Albert
499 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Harry
484 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) named Harry
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".
Thomas
472 baby boys born in Ohio (1916) 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.