Wisconsin's most popular baby names in 1912

In the year 1912, the state of Wisconsin saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. The top baby girl names were Mary, Helen, and Margaret, while the top baby boy names were John, William, and George. These names have been popular for centuries and have stood the test of time, continuing to be popular even in modern times.

Parents in Wisconsin in 1912 were drawn to these classic names for their children, perhaps seeking to honor family members or simply choosing names that were timeless and well-loved. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be chosen by parents today, showing that some things truly never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1912

According to records from 1912, the most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin were Mary, Helen, Margaret, Dorothy, and Ruth. Mary was the most popular name with 394 babies given that name, followed closely by Helen with 352 and Margaret with 346. Dorothy and Ruth rounded out the top five with 343 and 258 babies given those names, respectively. These classic names have remained popular over the years and continue to be used for baby girls today.

Mary

394 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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

352 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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

346 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy

343 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth

258 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Evelyn
250 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Alice
213 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Florence
199 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Mildred
189 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Marie
177 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Irene
171 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Esther
170 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Lucille
146 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Lucille
The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.
Frances
146 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Elizabeth
135 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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
130 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Gertrude
129 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Gertrude
The name Gertrude means "spear of strength" and is of German origin.
Gladys
125 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Lillian
114 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) named Lillian
The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.
Eleanor
112 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1912) 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 Wisconsin in 1912

In Wisconsin in 1912, the most popular baby boy names were John, William, George, Robert, and Joseph. John was the most popular name with 367 babies given this name, followed by William with 252 babies, George with 229 babies, Robert with 219 babies, and Joseph with 211 babies. These names were likely chosen by parents based on their popularity at the time, as well as their traditional and timeless appeal.

John

367 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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

252 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
George

229 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Robert

219 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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

211 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
196 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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".
Harold
167 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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
162 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Raymond
157 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Walter
154 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Clarence
150 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Henry
135 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Arthur
133 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
James
124 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
114 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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.
Elmer
105 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Elmer
The name Elmer means "noble and famous" and has English origins.
Donald
92 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Lawrence
89 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Lawrence
The name Lawrence is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". It has been a popular name throughout history and is often associated with strength, honor, and victory.
Harry
87 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) 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
84 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1912) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".