Ohio's most popular baby names in 1917

The year 1917 marked a significant time in the history of the United States. While the country was embroiled in World War I, families in the state of Ohio were welcoming new additions to their households. The most popular baby names in Ohio that year reflected a sense of tradition and classicism. For baby girls, Mary, Helen, and Dorothy took the top spots, while for baby boys, Robert, John, and William were the most favored names. These names were not only popular in Ohio, but also across the country, indicating a strong sense of cultural unity and tradition during a time of great uncertainty and change. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to see how the popularity of certain names can reflect the values and attitudes of a particular time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1917

In Ohio in 1917, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 3,947 newborns receiving this name. The second most popular name was Helen, with 2,447 babies named Helen. Dorothy came in at third place with 1,834 babies named, followed by Ruth with 1,732 babies and Margaret with 1,565 babies. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the early 20th century, with many parents choosing names that had been popular for decades. Mary and Helen were particularly popular, likely due to their association with religious figures and their timeless appeal.

Mary

3947 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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

2447 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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

1834 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth

1732 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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

1565 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
1092 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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
968 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Betty
856 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Elizabeth
838 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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
819 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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
766 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Frances
661 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Martha
635 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Florence
614 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Alice
549 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Rose
494 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Catherine
484 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Irene
478 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Marie
478 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Eleanor
475 baby girls born in Ohio (1917) 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 1917

In Ohio, 1917, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, Charles, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2807 babies being named so. John closely followed with 2700 babies named after the name. William was the third most popular name with 2300 babies being named so. Charles and James were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 1624 and 1463 babies being named after them, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures at the time.

Robert

2807 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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.
John

2700 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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.
William

2300 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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

1624 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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

1463 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George
1219 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Joseph
1202 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
1017 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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
964 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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
915 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Frank
901 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Harold
759 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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
727 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Walter
661 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Ralph
618 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Carl
594 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Harry
590 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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".
Raymond
570 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Thomas
513 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) 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.
Albert
484 baby boys born in Ohio (1917) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".