Popular Names of the 1920s
Names are ordered by total recorded births across 1920–1929 in the available national dataset.
MaryThe name Mary is commonly associated with the Hebrew name Miriam, which may mean 'beloved' or 'wished-for child'.RobertThe name Robert means "fame-bright" or "bright fame," derived from the Old German elements "hrod" (fame) and "beraht" (bright).JohnThe name John means 'Yahweh is gracious' or 'God is gracious', deriving from the Hebrew name Yochanan.JamesJames is derived from the Late Latin name Iacomus, a form of Iacobus, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, often translated as 'supplanter'.WilliamThe name William is traditionally understood to mean 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed warrior.'.DorothyThe name Dorothy means "gift of God.".CharlesThe name Charles is derived from the Germanic word "karl" meaning 'man' or 'free man'.HelenThe name Helen is commonly associated with the Greek root 'helene', which means 'torch' or 'light'.Betty283,849 recorded births · best rank #2GeorgeThe name George may derive from the Greek word "georgos," meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker.".MargaretThe name Margaret derives from the Greek word 'margarites,' meaning 'pearl.'.JosephThe name Joseph means 'He will add' or 'God will increase' in its original Hebrew context.RichardThe name Richard derives from the Old German elements 'ric' meaning 'power' or 'ruler' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'hardy.'.RuthThe name 'Ruth' likely means 'friend' or 'companion' in Hebrew.EdwardThe name Edward means 'wealthy guardian' or 'guardian of riches.'.DonaldThe name Donald means 'ruler of the world' or 'world mighty'.VirginiaThe name Virginia is derived from the Latin word 'virgo,' meaning 'maiden' or 'virgin'.ThomasThe name Thomas is derived from the Aramaic name Ta'oma', meaning 'twin'.FrankThe name Frank is derived from the Old Germanic word 'frank,' meaning 'free man.'.Doris152,135 recorded births · best rank #6Mildred147,624 recorded births · best rank #6FrancesThe name Frances is the feminine form of Francis, meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free man'.ElizabethElizabeth means 'God is my oath' or 'pledged to God', derived from Hebrew.Harold134,392 recorded births · best rank #12PaulThe name Paul derives from the Latin Paulus, meaning 'small' or 'humble'.RaymondThe name Raymond means 'wise protector' or 'counselor', derived from the Germanic elements 'ragin' meaning 'counsel' and 'mund' meaning 'protector'.EvelynEvelyn is commonly understood to mean 'desired' or 'wished for' based on its roots in Old French and Old English.AnnaThe name Anna means 'grace' or 'favor' and is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah.WalterWalter means 'ruler of the army,' derived from the Germanic elements 'wald' meaning 'rule' and 'heri' meaning 'army.'.JackJack is a diminutive form of John and is often linked to the meaning 'God is gracious' through its association with John.MarieThe name Marie is a French form of the name Mary, which itself may derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, possibly meaning 'bitter' or 'beloved'.AliceThe name Alice may derive from the Old French name Aalis, a short form of Adelais, which itself comes from the Germanic name Adalheidis meaning 'noble kind' or 'of noble type'.Jean108,977 recorded births · best rank #12Willie105,807 recorded births · best rank #27HenryHenry means "home ruler.".Shirley100,902 recorded births · best rank #9KennethThe meaning of the name Kenneth is uncertain but may derive from Gaelic elements meaning 'handsome' or 'born of fire'.ArthurThe name Arthur is commonly thought to mean 'bear' or 'bear king.'.Barbara97,471 recorded births · best rank #7AlbertThe name Albert means 'noble' and 'bright' or 'famous'.IreneThe name Irene means 'peace' and is derived from the Greek word 'eirēnē'.Marjorie91,438 recorded births · best rank #16DavidThe name David derives from the Hebrew word meaning 'beloved'.Lois88,830 recorded births · best rank #17FlorenceThe name Florence means "flowering" or "flourishing" and is derived from the Latin word "florens.".MarthaThe name Martha means 'lady' or 'mistress,' derived from an ancient Aramaic word.Harry86,694 recorded births · best rank #21RoseThe name Rose means the flower of the rose plant.Eugene85,390 recorded births · best rank #20Ralph84,952 recorded births · best rank #22LillianLillian is derived from the Latin name Lilium, meaning 'lily', a type of flowering plant.LouiseLouise is a feminine name derived from the Old German name Ludwig, meaning 'famous warrior.'.CatherineThe name Catherine is believed to derive from the Greek name Aikaterine, which may be linked to the Greek word 'katharos' meaning 'pure'.RubyThe word 'Ruby' is derived from the precious gemstone of the same name, which is a red variety of the mineral corundum.EleanorThe name Eleanor may derive from the Old French name Aliénor, of uncertain meaning possibly related to 'other' or 'foreign'.Patricia74,940 recorded births · best rank #10Gladys72,812 recorded births · best rank #22Marion71,213 recorded births · best rank #42Howard70,793 recorded births · best rank #24Carl70,346 recorded births · best rank #26AnnieAnnie is a diminutive form of Ann or Anne, which derive from the Hebrew name Hannah meaning 'grace' or 'favor'.JosephineThe feminine form of Joseph, meaning 'God will increase' or 'he will add' in Hebrew.Thelma69,101 recorded births · best rank #30Edna68,877 recorded births · best rank #27LouisThe name Louis derives from the Old High German name Ludwig, which combines elements meaning 'famous' and 'warrior'.Clarence66,979 recorded births · best rank #26Norma65,461 recorded births · best rank #23FrancisThe name Francis derives from the Latin 'Franciscus,' meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free man.'.Joe64,421 recorded births · best rank #30Pauline64,301 recorded births · best rank #36Earl64,153 recorded births · best rank #31LucilleLucille means 'light' or 'illumination', derived from the Latin name Lucilla, a diminutive of Lucia.RoyThe name Roy derives from the Old French word 'roy' meaning 'king'.Fred63,215 recorded births · best rank #31EdithThe name Edith means 'riches' or 'blessed' and 'war' or 'battle'.Ethel63,144 recorded births · best rank #30GloriaGloria means 'glory' or 'fame' in Latin.Phyllis62,010 recorded births · best rank #24GraceThe English word 'grace' means 'favor' or 'thanks' and derives from the Latin word 'gratia'.HazelHazel literally refers to the hazel tree or the hazelnut derived from this tree.JuneJune is derived from the Latin word 'Iunius,' which is the name of the Roman goddess Juno and the month named after her.LawrenceDerived from the Latin name Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentum," a place name associated with laurel trees.Bernice56,896 recorded births · best rank #39Herbert56,846 recorded births · best rank #25LeonardThe name Leonard means 'brave lion', derived from Germanic elements meaning 'lion' and 'brave' or 'hardy'.Ernest54,033 recorded births · best rank #37Dolores52,300 recorded births · best rank #14Rita50,724 recorded births · best rank #48Alfred50,456 recorded births · best rank #33AnthonyThe name Anthony may derive from the Roman family name Antonius, whose meaning is uncertain but possibly linked to the Latin for 'priceless' or 'of inestimable worth.'.Lorraine50,198 recorded births · best rank #39Ann49,975 recorded births · best rank #46Norman49,765 recorded births · best rank #39Stanley49,760 recorded births · best rank #40BeatriceThe name Beatrice means 'bringer of joy' or 'she who makes happy.'.EstherThe name Esther is commonly understood to mean 'star' in Persian.Juanita48,749 recorded births · best rank #48ClaraThe name Clara derives from the Latin word 'clarus', meaning 'clear' or 'bright'.JaneThe name Jane is a feminine form derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'.Geraldine48,195 recorded births · best rank #43SarahSarah derives from the Hebrew word meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman.'.EmmaEmma means "whole" or "universal.".Joan45,605 recorded births · best rank #13Gerald44,866 recorded births · best rank #33Joyce44,737 recorded births · best rank #23Jessie44,086 recorded births · best rank #84Nancy43,958 recorded births · best rank #32DanielThe name Daniel means 'God is my judge.'.SamuelThe name Samuel means 'God has heard' or 'heard by God.'.Billy43,212 recorded births · best rank #23KatherineThe name Katherine is commonly believed to mean 'pure', though the exact etymology is uncertain and debated.Bernard42,661 recorded births · best rank #45Gertrude42,589 recorded births · best rank #42ElsieElsie is a diminutive form of Elizabeth, which means 'God is my oath'.Melvin41,011 recorded births · best rank #47JuliaThe name Julia derives from the Latin 'Iulia', which is the feminine form of 'Iulius', a Roman family name.MarvinThe name Marvin may derive from the Old Welsh name Mervyn, composed of elements meaning 'sea' and 'friend' or 'lover of the sea.'.Agnes39,362 recorded births · best rank #54Wilma39,347 recorded births · best rank #62Marian39,316 recorded births · best rank #64WarrenThe name 'Warren' may derive from a Norman French word meaning a game park or enclosure for game.Bertha38,754 recorded births · best rank #57EvaThe name Eva means "life" or "living one" derived from the Hebrew name Chava.MichaelThe name Michael means 'Who is like God?'.AudreyNoble strength.Leroy38,114 recorded births · best rank #51RussellThe name Russell means 'little red one,' derived from the Old French 'Roussel.'.LeoThe name 'Leo' derives from the Latin word for 'lion'.VivianThe name Vivian is derived from the Latin word 'vivus', meaning 'alive' or 'lively'.Theresa36,795 recorded births · best rank #49AndrewThe name Andrew is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "masculine".LauraThe name Laura is commonly derived from the Latin word "laurus," meaning "laurel," which is a type of tree or shrub.Wanda36,116 recorded births · best rank #61CharlotteCharlotte is the French feminine diminutive form of Charles, meaning 'free man' or 'manly'.Ida35,790 recorded births · best rank #65EdwinThe name Edwin is derived from Old English elements 'ead' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune' and 'wine' meaning 'friend'.Elmer35,449 recorded births · best rank #45ElaineThe name Elaine is commonly understood to mean 'light' or 'bright' as a variant of Helen.AnneThe name Anne is a form of Anna, which derives from the Hebrew name Hannah meaning 'favor' or 'grace'.Marilyn34,295 recorded births · best rank #33PeterThe name Peter means 'rock' or 'stone'.MaxineThe name Maxine is derived from the Latin name Maximus, which means "greatest.".KathrynThe name Kathryn is a variant of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, meaning "pure.".Kathleen33,679 recorded births · best rank #70Pearl33,570 recorded births · best rank #62Floyd33,490 recorded births · best rank #53Viola33,396 recorded births · best rank #59Lloyd33,380 recorded births · best rank #58Ray33,190 recorded births · best rank #57VeraThe name Vera means 'true' or 'faith' derived from Slavic and Latin roots.Bessie32,347 recorded births · best rank #71Clifford31,688 recorded births · best rank #59FrederickThe name Frederick means 'peaceful ruler,' derived from the Germanic elements 'frid' meaning 'peace' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'power.'.TheodoreTheodore means 'gift of God.'.Beverly31,265 recorded births · best rank #39AlmaThe name Alma is a Latin adjective meaning "nourishing" or "kind.".Myrtle30,671 recorded births · best rank #68VioletThe name Violet means the violet flower, a small flowering plant known for its purple color.Vernon29,944 recorded births · best rank #65NellieNellie is a diminutive form of the names Eleanor or Helen, which are commonly associated with meanings related to 'light' or 'brightness'.Clyde29,791 recorded births · best rank #67EllaThe name Ella is commonly derived from the Germanic element 'ali' meaning 'other' or 'foreign'.LillieThe name Lillie is a variant of Lily, which means "lily flower.".Herman29,205 recorded births · best rank #64Jeanne29,190 recorded births · best rank #85Chester28,675 recorded births · best rank #55EileenThe name Eileen is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Eibhlin, which may derive from the Old French Aveline, a name meaning 'little bird'.LeeThe surname and given name Lee often derives from the Old English word "lēah," meaning "clearing" or "meadow.".Ellen28,491 recorded births · best rank #92BillieThe name William means 'resolute protector'.LucyThe name Lucy derives from the Latin word 'lux', meaning 'light'.PhilipThe name Philip means "lover of horses.".Johnnie27,361 recorded births · best rank #99Alvin27,090 recorded births · best rank #66Minnie27,050 recorded births · best rank #87CharlieThe name Charlie is a diminutive of Charles, which derives from the Germanic name Karl meaning 'man' or 'free man'.SylviaThe name Sylvia means 'from the forest' or 'woodland', deriving from the Latin word 'silva' for 'forest'.Lester26,842 recorded births · best rank #66WayneThe name Wayne is an Old English occupational surname meaning 'wagon driver' or 'cart maker'.VincentThe name Vincent means "conquering" or "to conquer," derived from the Latin verb "vincere.".Donna26,223 recorded births · best rank #47LeonaLeona means 'lioness' in Latin.RosemaryThe name Rosemary is derived from the name of the herb rosemary, which originates from the Latin words 'ros' meaning dew and 'marinus' meaning sea.StellaThe name Stella means "star" in Latin.LeonThe name Leon means "lion" and is derived from the Greek word 'leon'.Gordon25,829 recorded births · best rank #72Mattie25,708 recorded births · best rank #96Margie25,606 recorded births · best rank #99LewisLewis is a form of the Old Germanic name Ludwig, which means 'famous warrior' from the elements 'hlud' meaning 'fame' and 'wig' meaning 'warrior'.Glenn25,482 recorded births · best rank #75CalvinThe name Calvin is derived from a Latin word meaning "bald" or "hairless.".GenevieveThe name Genevieve may derive from Germanic roots meaning 'woman of the race' or 'tribe woman.'.Mabel"Lovable" or "dear one.".Carol24,528 recorded births · best rank #63MartinDerived from the Roman name Martinus, which is related to Mars, the Roman god of war; it generally means 'of Mars' or 'warlike'.Milton24,357 recorded births · best rank #74Janet24,020 recorded births · best rank #82Cecil24,003 recorded births · best rank #77BonnieThe name Bonnie means 'pretty' or 'attractive' in Scottish dialect.JesseJesse is commonly understood to mean 'gift.'.Dale23,543 recorded births · best rank #73GeorgiaThe name Georgia is derived from the Greek word 'georgos,' meaning 'farmer' or 'earthworker.'.Geneva23,383 recorded births · best rank #106Velma23,020 recorded births · best rank #105LenaThe name Lena is a short form of names ending with '-lena', such as Helena, and is commonly associated with the Greek element meaning 'torch' or 'light'.Mae"Mae" is a variant spelling of "May," which refers to the fifth month of the year.MariaThe name Maria is commonly understood to mean 'sea of bitterness' or 'rebelliousness' based on its etymological roots.Carolyn22,824 recorded births · best rank #77Jennie22,711 recorded births · best rank #97Bill22,495 recorded births · best rank #63Christine22,439 recorded births · best rank #115Arlene22,017 recorded births · best rank #105HarveyDerived from Old English elements 'here' meaning army and 'wig' meaning battle, the name means 'battle-worthy' or 'strong in battle'.Peggy21,928 recorded births · best rank #70Roger21,928 recorded births · best rank #64Marguerite21,820 recorded births · best rank #93OpalThe name Opal refers to a precious gemstone known for its iridescent colors.VictorVictor means 'winner' or 'conqueror' in Latin.SaraSara means 'princess' or 'noblewoman' derived from the Hebrew word 'Sarah'.LorettaLoretta is a diminutive form of Laura, which derives from the Latin word 'laurus' meaning 'laurel.'.BenjaminThe name Benjamin means 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south' in Hebrew.SamSam is commonly understood as a short form of Samuel or Samantha, names meaning 'name of God' or 'God has heard' in Hebrew.Wallace21,055 recorded births · best rank #69RonaldThe name Ronald may derive from Old Norse elements meaning 'ruler's counsel' or 'mighty counselor.'.RosaThe name Rosa literally means 'rose', referring to the flower.Harriet20,927 recorded births · best rank #112Muriel20,749 recorded births · best rank #112Eunice20,485 recorded births · best rank #115Eddie20,442 recorded births · best rank #101AllenThe name Allen is derived from a Celtic word meaning 'little rock' or 'harmony'.Gene19,936 recorded births · best rank #62Jeanette19,833 recorded births · best rank #125Arnold19,693 recorded births · best rank #91Blanche19,669 recorded births · best rank #102Jerry19,626 recorded births · best rank #61Carrie19,279 recorded births · best rank #121Jimmie19,130 recorded births · best rank #98EmilyEmily is derived from the Latin name Aemilia, which is related to the Latin word 'aemulus' meaning 'rival' or 'emulating'.Willard18,692 recorded births · best rank #88Beulah18,685 recorded births · best rank #109Dora18,441 recorded births · best rank #130Gilbert18,338 recorded births · best rank #91Roberta18,325 recorded births · best rank #122Hilda18,251 recorded births · best rank #123NaomiThe name Naomi is commonly understood to mean 'pleasantness' or 'delight'.EdgarThe name Edgar is derived from Old English elements meaning 'wealth, fortune' and 'spear'.Anita18,114 recorded births · best rank #125Alberta17,975 recorded births · best rank #128JacquelineThe name Jacqueline is a French feminine form of Jacques, which derives from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning 'supplanter.'.OscarOscar is commonly associated with Old English elements meaning 'god' and 'spear', or Old Irish elements meaning 'deer' and 'lover'.Inez17,820 recorded births · best rank #122Douglas17,486 recorded births · best rank #97Claude17,190 recorded births · best rank #92Don17,168 recorded births · best rank #78RolandThe name Roland likely means 'famous land' or 'renowned land', derived from the Old High German elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'land' meaning 'land'.Maurice16,754 recorded births · best rank #101Laverne16,669 recorded births · best rank #165EverettThe name Everett means 'brave as a wild boar' or 'strong as a wild boar', derived from Old English and Old German elements.Fannie16,549 recorded births · best rank #127Delores16,523 recorded births · best rank #74HattieHattie is commonly understood as a diminutive form of the name Harriet, which derives from the Germanic name Heimirich meaning 'home ruler.'.Curtis16,449 recorded births · best rank #99Lula16,425 recorded births · best rank #139Verna16,419 recorded births · best rank #135Virgil16,335 recorded births · best rank #98LeslieThe name Leslie is derived from a Scottish place name meaning 'garden of hollies' or 'holly garden.'.CoraThe name Cora is derived from the Greek word 'kore,' meaning 'maiden' or 'daughter.'.Wilbur15,834 recorded births · best rank #98ManuelDerived from the Hebrew name Immanuel, meaning 'God is with us.'.ClaireClaire is derived from the Latin word 'clarus' meaning 'clear' or 'bright'.Constance15,635 recorded births · best rank #146StephenDerived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning 'crown' or 'wreath'.MadelineThe name Madeline derives from Magdalene, which means 'of Magdala,' a place name referring to a town on the Sea of Galilee.Jerome15,584 recorded births · best rank #110MiriamThe name Miriam is commonly understood to derive from the Hebrew root meaning 'bitterness' or 'rebellion.'.Homer15,297 recorded births · best rank #100Glen15,239 recorded births · best rank #115AdaThe name Ada commonly means 'noble' or 'nobility.'.Bobby15,053 recorded births · best rank #50Mamie14,890 recorded births · best rank #142Hubert14,773 recorded births · best rank #113Sidney14,769 recorded births · best rank #107LolaLola is a diminutive form of the Spanish name Dolores, which means "sorrows".JoseJose is a variant of the name Joseph, which means 'He will add' or 'God will increase' in Hebrew.RosieThe name Rosie is derived from the English word 'rose', referring to the flower.Erma14,327 recorded births · best rank #152RachelRachel is derived from the Hebrew word for 'ewe', a female sheep.Hugh14,248 recorded births · best rank #115Morris14,247 recorded births · best rank #104MaxDerived from the Latin word 'maximus' meaning 'greatest'.Mable14,096 recorded births · best rank #148FloraDerived from the Latin word for "flower.".Bob13,765 recorded births · best rank #89DaisyThe name Daisy refers to the flower called 'daisy', which derives from Old English words meaning 'day's eye'.NicholasThe name Nicholas means 'victory of the people.'.Sally13,533 recorded births · best rank #112Marcella13,455 recorded births · best rank #155Luther13,364 recorded births · best rank #118BruceThe name Bruce derives from a Norman surname that is associated with a place name in Normandy, France, which likely means 'wood' or 'brushwood'.Bette13,285 recorded births · best rank #148