Most Popular Baby Names Of The 1920s

The top 100 girls’ and boys’ names across 1920–1929. Explore their meanings, histories, and popularity today.

Name & meaning	Babies 2025 · rank	5-year rank movement	Peak year
Harold Army + powerful or mighty	230#993	Down 61 rank positions in five years	1924
Arthur Meaning uncertain; possibly a Celtic bear name or related to Artorius	3,847#87	Up 76 rank positions in five years	1921
Marie Meaning uncertain; French and Czech form of Maria	474#618	Down 1 rank positions in five years	1920
Grace Grace; favor, with virtue and religious associations	5,127#38	Down 10 rank positions in five years	2003
Joyce Lord, from Breton Judoc	226#1,074	Down 97 rank positions in five years	1942
Carl Man, through Karl	187#1,134	Down 321 rank positions in five years	1956
Rose Rose flower; an older name also has Germanic roots	2,386#114	Down 2 rank positions in five years	1917
Albert Noble and bright	461#614	Down 91 rank positions in five years	1921
Joan Yahweh is gracious, through John	222#1,087	Up 460 rank positions in five years	1932
Julia Feminine form of Julius; deeper meaning disputed	2,172#131	Down 23 rank positions in five years	2001
Lillian Probably an Elizabeth familiar form; also associated with Lily	3,966#57	Down 11 rank positions in five years	1920
Ann Favor; grace, in the Hannah family	225#1,076	Up 29 rank positions in five years	1957
Doris Dorian woman	58#2,909	Down 529 rank positions in five years	1928
Lawrence From Laurentum, through Laurence; the place name may refer to laurel	578#520	Up 43 rank positions in five years	1952
Jean Yahweh is gracious, through John	88#2,130	Up 228 rank positions in five years	1927
Kathryn Form of Katherine; traditionally associated with pure, deeper origin uncertain	381#729	Down 204 rank positions in five years	1952
Charlotte Free man, through Charles	13,400#2	Up 3 rank positions in five years	2025
Joe He will add, through Joseph	230#994	Down 266 rank positions in five years	1936
Mildred Gentle strength	98#1,973	Up 1 rank positions in five years	1920
Willie Will or desire + helmet or protection, through William	147#1,322	Down 327 rank positions in five years	1947
Gerald Spear + power or authority	168#1,206	Down 251 rank positions in five years	1942
Roger Famous spear	297#834	Down 149 rank positions in five years	1953
Jesse Possibly gift or existence; Hebrew Yishai name family	2,002#184	Up 19 rank positions in five years	1981
Harry Home ruler, through Henry; also a familiar form of other Har names	329#775	Down 56 rank positions in five years	1918
Gloria Glory	437#655	Down 77 rank positions in five years	1947
Ralph Counsel; advice + wolf	211#1,048	Up 54 rank positions in five years	1921
Roy Red, through Ruadh; also associated with French king	570#525	Up 47 rank positions in five years	1947
Louis Famous in battle	1,391#249	Up 11 rank positions in five years	1921
Theresa Meaning uncertain; Teresa name family	136#1,559	Down 149 rank positions in five years	1961
Billy Will + helmet, through William	203#1,068	Down 69 rank positions in five years	1934
Eugene Well born	249#943	Down 103 rank positions in five years	1927
Jane God is gracious	1,380#221	Up 43 rank positions in five years	1947
Beverly Beaver clearing or beaver stream, through Beverley	246#1,018	Up 249 rank positions in five years	1953
Ruby Ruby gemstone	3,554#64	Up 10 rank positions in five years	1924
Marilyn Combination of Mary and the name ending -lyn	356#761	Down 127 rank positions in five years	1947
Vincent To conquer; conquering	3,267#107	Up 14 rank positions in five years	1962
Annie Grace; favor, through Anne	1,690#182	Up 107 rank positions in five years	1922
Russell Little red one	944#345	Up 25 rank positions in five years	1960
Irene Peace	442#651	Down 31 rank positions in five years	1921
Wayne Wagon maker	422#655	Up 120 rank positions in five years	1947
Ella Other in the Norman name; also a diminutive	5,831#29	Down 14 rank positions in five years	2010
Howard Several surname origins: Hughard, Hávarðr, or ewe herder	226#1,004	Up 40 rank positions in five years	1921
Philip Friend of horses	568#528	Down 75 rank positions in five years	1953
Fred Peaceful ruler in the Frederick family; elf counsel in the Alfred family	80#1,936	Down 134 rank positions in five years	1924
Florence Flowering, flourishing	796#391	Up 372 rank positions in five years	1918
Eleanor From Occitan Alienòr; deeper meaning disputed	7,649#12	Up 10 rank positions in five years	1920
Louise Famous in battle, through Louis	579#516	Up 165 rank positions in five years	1921
Lois Possibly better or more desirable in Greek; Galician form of Louis	124#1,670	Up 176 rank positions in five years	1927
Josephine He will add, through Joseph	4,126#53	Up 34 rank positions in five years	1918
Victor Conqueror	1,664#211	Down 11 rank positions in five years	1990

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Year by year in the 1920s

1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929

This list includes the top 100 girls’ and boys’ names by total use across 1920–1929. Table birth counts and ranks show 2025, and rank movement covers the latest five years. Search, filters, and sorting stay within this decade’s name list.

Counts are based on U.S. births and are tracked separately for girls and boys. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year aren’t published for that year, so totals here are a floor — the shortfall is largest in the sparse early years.