Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in popular baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Dorothy and Betty. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

When it comes to baby boys, John was the most popular name in Pennsylvania in 1931, followed closely by Robert and William. These strong and traditional names have remained popular over the years and are still commonly chosen by parents today.

Overall, the top baby names in Pennsylvania in 1931 reflect a desire for classic, timeless names that have proven to be enduring favorites among parents. These names continue to be popular choices for parents seeking names that will stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1931

In Pennsylvania, 1931, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 4916 babies being given that name. The second most popular name was Dorothy, with 2368 babies being given that name. Following Dorothy was Betty, with 2326 babies named that. Joan was the fourth most popular name, with 2143 babies being given that name. Finally, Margaret was the fifth most popular name, with 1998 babies being named that.

  1. Mary

    4916 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  2. Dorothy

    2368 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  3. Betty

    2326 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  4. Joan

    2143 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Joan

    The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.

  5. Margaret

    1998 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  6. Dolores

    1994 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Dolores

    The name Dolores is of Spanish origin and means "sorrows" or "pains". It is derived from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, which translates to "Our Lady of Sorrows". The name was popularized in the 20th century by the famous Mexican actress Dolores del Río.

  7. Helen

    1851 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  8. Shirley

    1560 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Shirley

    The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.

  9. Doris

    1361 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  10. Anna

    1359 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  11. Patricia

    1330 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Patricia

    The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.

  12. Jean

    1310 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  13. Ruth

    1305 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  14. Nancy

    1261 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  15. Elizabeth

    1163 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  16. Barbara

    1122 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Barbara

    The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.

  17. Lois

    989 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Lois

    The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".

  18. Marie

    914 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  19. Gloria

    853 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Gloria

    The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

  20. Rose

    835 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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 Pennsylvania in 1931

In Pennsylvania, 1931, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, James, and Joseph. John was the most popular name with 5445 babies being given that name, followed closely by Robert with 5419 babies. William was the third most popular name with 4282 babies named William. James and Joseph were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 3649 and 3119 babies respectively.

  1. John

    5445 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  2. Robert

    5419 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  3. William

    4282 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  4. James

    3649 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  5. Joseph

    3119 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  6. Richard

    2869 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  7. Charles

    2591 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  8. Donald

    2483 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  9. George

    2139 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  10. Edward

    1867 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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".

  11. Thomas

    1863 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  12. Paul

    1418 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  13. Frank

    1138 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".

  14. David

    989 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named David

    The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.

  15. Raymond

    969 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  16. Harry

    932 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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".

  17. Kenneth

    838 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  18. Walter

    826 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) named Walter

    Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".

  19. Harold

    775 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.

  20. Francis

    741 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1931) 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.