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Top names in the USA in the 1900s
The 50 most popular boy and girl names given in the United States from 1900 to 1909, according to the US Social Security Administration. Mary, John, Helen and William led the decade. 100 names so far, each with its own page, story and name art.
Agnes
“pure, holy”
Greek
Albert
“noble and bright”
Germanic
Alfred
“elf counsel”
Old English
Alice
“noble kind”
Germanic, via French
Andrew
“manly, brave”
Greek
Anna
“grace, favour”
Hebrew
Annie
“grace”
Hebrew, via English
Anthony
may mean “from the Roman family Antonius”
Latin
Arthur
may mean “bear”
Celtic
Beatrice
“she who brings happiness”
Latin, via Italian
Bertha
“bright, famous”
Germanic
Bessie
“pet form of Elizabeth”
Hebrew, via English
Carl
“free man”
Germanic
Catherine
may mean “pure”
Greek, via French
Charles
“free man”
Germanic, via French
Charlie
“free man”
Germanic, via English
Clara
“bright, clear”
Latin
Clarence
“of Clare”
Latin, via English
Daniel
“God is my judge”
Hebrew
David
“beloved”
Hebrew
Dorothy
“gift of God”
Greek
Earl
“nobleman, warrior”
Old English
Edith
“rich in battle”
Old English
Edna
“delight”
Hebrew
Edward
“rich guardian”
Old English
Elizabeth
“my God is an oath”
Hebrew
Elmer
“noble and famous”
Old English
Elsie
“God is my oath”
Hebrew, via Scottish
Emma
“whole, universal”
Germanic
Ernest
“serious, earnest”
Germanic
Esther
may mean “star”
Persian, via Hebrew
Ethel
“noble”
Old English
Eugene
“well born, noble”
Greek
Eva
may mean “life, living”
Hebrew
Evelyn
may mean “wished-for child”
Norman French, from Germanic
Florence
“flourishing, blooming”
Latin, via French
Frances
“free; French woman”
Latin, via French
Francis
“Frenchman, free one”
Latin, via Italian
Frank
“a Frank; free”
Germanic
Fred
“peaceful ruler”
Germanic, via English
George
“farmer, earth worker”
Greek
Gertrude
“spear strength”
Germanic
Gladys
may mean “of uncertain meaning”
Welsh
Grace
“grace”
Latin, via English
Harold
“army ruler”
Old English and Old Norse
Harry
“ruler of the home”
Germanic, via English
Hazel
“hazel tree”
English
Helen
may mean “torch, light”
Greek
Henry
“ruler of the home”
Germanic
Herbert
“bright army”
Germanic
Herman
“army man”
Germanic
Howard
may mean “high guardian”
Old Norse, via English
Ida
may mean “work, labour”
Germanic
Irene
“peace”
Greek
Jack
“God is gracious”
English, from Hebrew
James
“supplanter”
Hebrew, via Latin
Joe
“he will add”
Hebrew, via English
John
“God is gracious”
Hebrew
Joseph
“God will add”
Hebrew
Josephine
“God will add”
Hebrew, via French
Julia
may mean “youthful”
Latin
Laura
“laurel”
Latin
Lawrence
“from Laurentum”
Latin
Lee
“clearing, meadow”
Old English
Leo
“lion”
Latin
Leonard
“brave as a lion”
Germanic
Lillian
may mean “lily”
Latin, via English
Lillie
may mean “lily”
English
Louis
“famous warrior”
Germanic, via French
Louise
“famous warrior”
Germanic, via French
Mabel
“lovable”
Latin, via English
Margaret
“pearl”
Greek, via Latin
Marie
may mean “beloved”
Hebrew, via French
Martha
“lady, mistress”
Aramaic
Mary
may mean “beloved; or bitter sea”
Hebrew, via Greek and Latin
Michael
“who is like God?”
Hebrew
Mildred
“gentle strength”
Old English
Minnie
“bitter; or beloved”
Hebrew and Germanic, via English
Myrtle
“myrtle shrub”
Greek, via Latin
Nellie
“pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”
Greek and Old French, via English
Paul
“small, humble”
Latin
Pearl
“pearl”
English
Ralph
“wolf counsel”
Old English and Old Norse
Raymond
“wise protector”
Germanic, via French
Richard
“strong ruler”
Germanic
Robert
“bright fame”
Germanic
Rose
“rose flower”
Latin, via French
Roy
may mean “red, or king”
Scottish Gaelic and French
Ruby
“ruby, red gem”
English, from Latin
Ruth
may mean “friend, companion”
Hebrew
Sam
“God has heard”
Hebrew
Samuel
may mean “name of God; or God has heard”
Hebrew
Sarah
“princess”
Hebrew
Thelma
may mean “of uncertain meaning”
English
Theodore
“gift of God”
Greek
Thomas
“twin”
Aramaic, via Greek
Viola
“violet”
Latin
Walter
“ruler of the army”
Germanic
William
“resolute protector”
Germanic
Willie
“will helmet”
Germanic