Ohio's most popular baby names in 1921

In the year 1921, the state of Ohio saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names were Mary, Helen, and Dorothy, while the top baby boy names were Robert, John, and William. These names were not only popular in Ohio, but also across the United States during this time period. Mary, in particular, had been a consistently popular name for girls since the early 1900s, while Robert and John had been popular names for boys for many decades. These names reflect the cultural and societal influences of the time, as well as the values and traditions of families in Ohio. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to explore the trends and meanings behind these popular baby names from the past.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1921

In 1921, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Ohio, with a total of 4386 babies given this name. Helen came in second place with 2341 babies, followed closely by Dorothy with 2231 babies. Betty and Ruth rounded out the top five with 2215 and 1934 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as family traditions and religious affiliations.

Mary

4386 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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

2341 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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

2231 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Betty

2215 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Ruth

1934 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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
1624 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
1357 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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
893 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Marjorie
828 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Anna
814 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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
780 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Martha
744 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Elizabeth
743 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Jean
635 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Frances
610 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Alice
602 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Doris
593 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Florence
566 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Irene
552 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Rose
475 baby girls born in Ohio (1921) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1921

In Ohio in the year 1921, the most popular baby boy name was Robert, with 4245 babies given that name. The next most popular names were John (3010), William (2839), James (2009), and Charles (1888). These names reflect a trend of traditional, classic names that were popular during this time period. Robert was likely favored for its strong and timeless sound, while John, William, James, and Charles were popular choices due to their historical significance and association with many prominent figures throughout history. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, demonstrating their enduring appeal and timeless charm.

Robert

4245 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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

3010 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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

2839 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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.
James

2009 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

1888 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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
1520 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
1433 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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
1297 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
1173 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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
1141 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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".
Donald
1139 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Harold
937 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Frank
850 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
711 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Jack
704 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Ralph
698 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Thomas
657 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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.
Walter
653 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Harry
632 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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".
Carl
630 baby boys born in Ohio (1921) 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.