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.JamesThe name James derives from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning 'supplanter' or 'one who follows.'.WilliamThe name William is traditionally understood to mean 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed warrior.'.DorothyThe name Dorothy means "gift of God.".CharlesThe name Charles derives from the Germanic word "karal," meaning 'free man.'.HelenThe name Helen is commonly understood to mean "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 'margaritēs,' meaning 'pearl.'.JosephThe name Joseph means 'He will add' or 'Jehovah increases', originating from Hebrew.RichardThe name Richard derives from the Old German elements 'ric' meaning 'power' or 'ruler' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'hardy.'.RuthThe name Ruth 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 means "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.HaroldThe name Harold means 'army ruler' or 'leader of the army,' derived from Old English elements.PaulThe 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.WalterThe name Walter means 'ruler of the army' or 'commander of the army'.JackThe name Jack may derive from John, meaning 'God is gracious.'.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 understood to mean 'bear' or 'bear king', potentially derived from Celtic or Latin elements.BarbaraThe name Barbara means 'foreign' or 'stranger.'.AlbertThe name Albert is derived from Germanic elements meaning 'noble' and 'bright' or 'famous'.IreneThe name Irene derives from the Greek word meaning 'peace'.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 derives from the Latin word "Florentia," meaning "blossoming" or "flourishing.".MarthaThe name Martha means 'lady' or 'mistress,' derived from an ancient Aramaic word.HarryHarry is a medieval English form of Henry, meaning 'home ruler' or 'ruler of the household'.RoseThe word "Rose" literally denotes the rose flower, a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa.EugeneThe name Eugene derives from the Greek word 'Eugenios,' meaning 'well-born' or 'noble'.Ralph84,952 recorded births · best rank #22LillianLillian is derived from the Latin name Lilium, meaning 'lily', a type of flowering plant.LouiseThe name Louise is derived from the Old Germanic name Ludwig, which means '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 name Ruby refers to a precious red gemstone.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 the name Ann or Anne, which means '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.'.JoeJoe is a shortened form of Joseph, which means "Yahweh will add" or "Jehovah increases" in Hebrew.Pauline64,301 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 'roi,' 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 #30GloriaThe name Gloria is derived from the Latin word 'gloria,' meaning 'glory' or 'fame.'.Phyllis62,010 recorded births · best rank #24GraceThe word "Grace" means 'favor' or 'blessing'.HazelHazel literally refers to the hazel tree or the hazelnut derived from this tree.JuneThe name June is derived from the Latin word 'Iunius', which is associated with the Roman goddess Juno.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 #48AlfredThe name Alfred means 'elf counsel' or 'wise counsel', derived from Old English elements.AnthonyThe name Anthony may derive from the Roman family name Antonius, which has an uncertain meaning but is sometimes associated with the notion of being priceless or of inestimable worth.Lorraine50,198 recorded births · best rank #39Ann49,975 recorded births · best rank #46Norman49,765 recorded births · best rank #39StanleyThe name Stanley means 'stone clearing' or 'stony field' derived from Old English elements.BeatriceBeatrice means 'bringer of joy' or 'she who blesses'.EstherThe name Esther is commonly understood to mean 'star' in Persian.Juanita48,749 recorded births · best rank #48ClaraThe name Clara is derived from the Latin word 'clarus,' meaning 'clear' or 'bright.'.JaneThe name Jane derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious'.Geraldine48,195 recorded births · best rank #43SarahSarah derives from the Hebrew word meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman.'.EmmaEmma means "whole" or "universal.".JoanDerived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious'.Gerald44,866 recorded births · best rank #33Joyce44,737 recorded births · best rank #23JessieJessie is a diminutive form of names such as Jessica or Jesse, which have Hebrew roots meaning "God beholds" or "gift.".NancyNancy may derive from 'Anne', meaning 'grace' or 'favor', and has been historically used as a diminutive form.DanielThe 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 #42ElsieAttributable to 'Elizabeth,' meaning 'God is my oath' or 'pledged to God' depending on derivation.MelvinThe name Melvin is derived from a surname of uncertain etymology, which may be associated with leadership or chieftainship.JuliaThe name Julia is derived from the Latin family name Julius, which is believed to mean 'youthful' or 'downy'.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 #64WarrenWarren means 'animal enclosure' or 'game preserve,' originating from an Old French word for a park where game animals are kept.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?'.AudreyThe name Audrey is derived from the Old English elements 'æðel' meaning 'noble' and 'þryð' meaning 'strength'.LeroyThe name Leroy means "the king" in French, derived from the Old French word 'roy.'.RussellThe name Russell is derived from a term meaning 'red-haired' or 'red' in Old French.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 comes from Old English elements meaning 'wealth' or 'prosperity' and 'friend'.Elmer35,449 recorded births · best rank #45ElaineThe name Elaine is derived from the Old French form of Helen, which may mean "torch" or "light.".AnneThe name Anne is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, which means 'grace' or 'favor'.MarilynThe name Marilyn is a modern English blend of 'Mary' and 'Lynn'.PeterThe 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 #70PearlThe name Pearl is derived from the English word for the gemstone and is used as a given name, especially in English-speaking countries.Floyd33,490 recorded births · best rank #53Viola33,396 recorded births · best rank #59Lloyd33,380 recorded births · best rank #58RayA beam of light.VeraThe 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" from the Greek elements 'theos' (god) and 'doron' (gift).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 is derived from the name of the violet flower, which comes from the Latin word 'viola' meaning 'purple' or 'violet'.Vernon29,944 recorded births · best rank #65NellieNellie may derive as a familiar diminutive from Eleanor or Helen, names of ancient Greek origin.ClydeThe name 'Clyde' is believed to derive from the name of the River Clyde in Scotland, with uncertain exact meaning but possibly of Celtic origin.EllaThe 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'.LeeLee is derived from an Old English word meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'.Ellen28,491 recorded births · best rank #92BillieBillie is a diminutive form of William or Wilhelmina, names meaning "resolute protector" or "will helmet.".LucyThe name Lucy is derived from the Latin word 'lux,' meaning 'light.'.PhilipThe name Philip means "lover of horses," derived from the Greek name Philippos which combines words for 'horse' and 'lover'.Johnnie27,361 recorded births · best rank #99AlvinThe name Alvin derives from Old English elements meaning 'noble friend'.Minnie27,050 recorded births · best rank #87CharlieCharlie is a diminutive form of Charles, which means 'free man' in Germanic origins.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 means 'wagon maker' or 'wagon driver'.VincentThe name Vincent means "conquering" or "to conquer," derived from the Latin verb vincere, which means 'to win' or 'to conquer'.Donna26,223 recorded births · best rank #47LeonaLeona means 'lioness', derived from the Latin word 'leo' for lion.RosemaryThe name Rosemary combines the names of the flower 'rose' and the herb 'rosemary'.StellaThe name Stella means "star" in Latin.LeonThe name Leon is derived from the Greek word for 'lion'.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 the Latin word 'calvinus', meaning 'bald'.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.JesseThe name Jesse is commonly associated with the Hebrew origin meaning 'gift' or 'God exists.'.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 commonly considered a short form of names ending with '-lena,' which may derive from the Greek name Helena meaning 'torch' or 'light.'.MaeMae is an English variant of 'May', referring to the month of May.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 #70RogerDerived from the Old German elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'ger' meaning 'spear', the name Roger generally means 'famous spear'.Marguerite21,820 recorded births · best rank #93OpalOpal is the name of a precious gemstone known for its display of various colors.VictorVictor means 'winner' or 'conqueror' in Latin.SaraThe name Sara is commonly understood to mean 'princess' or 'noblewoman'.LorettaLoretta means "bay laurel plant.".BenjaminThe name Benjamin means 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south' in Hebrew.SamThe name "Sam" is commonly a diminutive form of "Samuel" or "Samantha," and its meaning derives from those full names.WallaceThe name Wallace means 'foreign man' or 'Welshman' and is derived from Old English and Old French origins.RonaldThe name Ronald may derive from Old Norse elements meaning 'ruler's counsel' or 'mighty counselor.'.RosaThe name Rosa is derived from the Latin word for 'rose', referring to the flower.Harriet20,927 recorded births · best rank #112Muriel20,749 recorded births · best rank #112Eunice20,485 recorded births · best rank #115Eddie"Eddie" is a diminutive form derived from names containing the Old English element "ēad," which means "wealth" or "fortune.".AllenThe name Allen may derive 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 #102JerryThe name Jerry is often a diminutive form of names such as Gerald, which means 'rule of the spear', and Jerome, which means 'sacred name'.Carrie19,279 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' or 'holder of the heel'.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 #122DouglasThe name Douglas means 'dark river' or 'black stream,' derived from the Scottish Gaelic elements 'dubh' meaning dark or black and 'glas' meaning stream or river.Claude17,190 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 is derived from the Old English elements 'eofor' meaning 'wild boar' and 'heard' meaning 'brave' or 'hardy'.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.'.CurtisDerived from the Old French word 'curteis', meaning 'courteous' or 'polite'.Lula16,425 recorded births · best rank #139Verna16,419 recorded births · best rank #135Virgil16,335 recorded births · best rank #98LeslieThe name Leslie is derived from a placename believed to mean 'garden of hollies' in Scottish Gaelic.CoraCora may derive from the Greek word 'kore' meaning 'maiden'.Wilbur15,834 recorded births · best rank #98ManuelDerived from the Hebrew name Immanuel, meaning 'God is with us.'.ClaireThe name Claire means 'clear' or 'bright' deriving from the Latin word 'clarus'.Constance15,635 recorded births · best rank #146StephenThe name Stephen derives from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning 'crown' or 'wreath'.MadelineMadeline is a diminutive form of Magdalene, meaning 'of Magdala,' 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".JoseThe name Jose is a Spanish variant of 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.HughThe name Hugh derives from the Old German element 'hug', which relates to mental or spiritual qualities such as heart, mind, or spirit.Morris14,247 recorded births · best rank #104MaxDerived from 'Maximus,' meaning 'greatest' in Latin.Mable14,096 recorded births · best rank #148FloraThe name Flora means 'flower' in Latin.Bob13,765 recorded births · best rank #89DaisyThe name derives from the English word for the daisy flower, which in turn comes from the Old English word "dæges ēage," meaning "day's eye.".NicholasThe name Nicholas means 'victory of the people.'.Sally13,533 recorded births · best rank #112MarcellaThe name Marcella is derived as a feminine form of Marcellus, which relates to the Latin name Marcus.Luther13,364 recorded births · best rank #118BruceThe name Bruce means 'of the brushwood' or 'from the thicket,' derived from a surname linked to a Norman place name.Bette13,285 recorded births · best rank #148