Washington's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Washington saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Dorothy, and Helen were the top baby girl names, reflecting the enduring appeal of classic names. These names were likely chosen for their simplicity and timelessness, as parents sought to give their daughters names that would stand the test of time.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and William. These names also have a traditional feel, with roots in English and Scottish history. It's possible that parents in Washington in 1917 were drawn to these names for their strong, masculine sound and their association with noble and respected figures from the past.

Overall, the baby names popular in Washington in 1917 reflect a desire for classic, timeless names that would serve their children well throughout their lives. These names have endured through the years and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Washington in 1917

In 1917, the most popular baby girl names in Washington were Mary, Dorothy, Helen, Margaret, and Ruth, in that order. Mary was the most popular name with 408 baby girls given that name, followed closely by Dorothy with 376 and Helen with 326. Margaret and Ruth rounded out the top five with 312 and 257 babies named after them, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    408 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  2. Dorothy

    376 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Dorothy

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

  3. Helen

    326 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  4. Margaret

    312 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Margaret

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

  5. Ruth

    257 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  6. Virginia

    181 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  7. Frances

    162 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  8. Betty

    150 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Betty

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

  9. Alice

    133 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  10. Evelyn

    129 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  11. Jean

    122 baby girls born in Washington (1917) 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.

  12. June

    121 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named June

    June is a feminine name of English origin. It is derived from the name of the sixth month of the year, which was named after the Roman goddess Juno. The name June is often associated with summer and warmth. It can also symbolize youthfulness, vitality, and beauty.

  13. Mildred

    120 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Mildred

    The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".

  14. Florence

    114 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Florence

    Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".

  15. Doris

    109 baby girls born in Washington (1917) 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.

  16. Marjorie

    109 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Marjorie

    The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".

  17. Elizabeth

    107 baby girls born in Washington (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.

  18. Lois

    102 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Lois

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

  19. Esther

    95 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Esther

    Esther is a feminine given name of Persian origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to possibly mean "star" or "myrtle leaf". In the Bible, Esther was a queen of Persia who saved the Jewish people from genocide. The name has been popular among Jewish communities and has been used in various cultures around the world.

  20. Edith

    88 baby girls born in Washington (1917) named Edith

    The name Edith means "prosperous in war" or "rich battle" and is of English and Old German origin. It was a popular name during the Anglo-Saxon period and has been used throughout history.

Most popular baby boy names in Washington in 1917

In Washington in 1917, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, James, and George. Robert was the most popular name with 503 babies given that name, followed by John with 427, William with 400, James with 274, and George with 237. These names were likely influenced by popular trends and cultural influences of the time.

  1. Robert

    503 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  2. John

    427 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  3. William

    400 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  4. James

    274 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named James

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

  5. George

    237 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  6. Richard

    209 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Richard

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

  7. Charles

    191 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  8. Donald

    173 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Donald

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

  9. Jack

    172 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Jack

    The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".

  10. Edward

    155 baby boys born in Washington (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".

  11. Harold

    151 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  12. Frank

    113 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Frank

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

  13. Albert

    107 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Albert

    The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".

  14. Walter

    103 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Walter

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

  15. Arthur

    101 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Arthur

    The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.

  16. Kenneth

    100 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Kenneth

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

  17. Joseph

    94 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Joseph

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

  18. Paul

    90 baby boys born in Washington (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.

  19. Roy

    84 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Roy

    The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".

  20. Henry

    83 baby boys born in Washington (1917) named Henry

    The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.