Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1920

In the year 1920, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for baby girls. Mary took the top spot as the most popular name for baby girls, followed closely by Helen and Margaret. These names were timeless and traditional, and were likely chosen by parents who valued the historical significance and cultural roots of these names.

For baby boys, the top names in Pennsylvania in 1920 were John, William, and Robert. These names were also classic and traditional, and had been popular for generations. John was the most popular name for baby boys in Pennsylvania in 1920, and it was likely chosen by parents who valued its strong and timeless qualities.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Pennsylvania in 1920 were rooted in tradition and history. Parents chose names that had stood the test of time, and that would continue to be popular for generations to come. These names were a reflection of the values and cultural roots of the people of Pennsylvania in the early 20th century.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1920

In Pennsylvania, 1920, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 7,650 newborns given that name. Following closely behind were Helen with 4,969, Margaret with 3,667, Dorothy with 3,665, and Anna with 3,187. These were the top five most popular baby girl names in the state during that year.

Mary

7650 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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

4969 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Margaret

3667 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy

3665 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Anna

3187 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Ruth
2649 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Elizabeth
2295 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Betty
1884 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Mildred
1562 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Catherine
1411 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Marie
1349 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Florence
1294 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Rose
1261 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Frances
1248 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Eleanor
1181 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Virginia
1100 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Josephine
1062 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Josephine
The name Josephine means "God will increase" or "He will add" and is of French origin. It is the feminine form of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew name Yosef.
Jean
1056 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Evelyn
1048 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Irene
930 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1920

According to records from 1920, the most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania were John, William, Robert, Joseph, and James. John was the most popular name, with 7041 babies given that name, followed by William with 5115 babies, Robert with 4146 babies, Joseph with 4089 babies, and James with 3120 babies. These traditional names were very common during that time period and continue to be popular today.

John

7041 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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

5115 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Robert

4146 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Joseph

4089 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James

3120 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
3114 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
George
2851 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Edward
2363 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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".
Frank
1953 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Paul
1725 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Thomas
1578 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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
1454 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Harry
1392 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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".
Richard
1312 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Albert
1171 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Harold
1005 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) 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.
Michael
973 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Donald
970 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Raymond
945 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Francis
931 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1920) named Francis
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.