Baby name trends come and go, but some monikers have real staying power ― like 100 years’ worth.
Knowing that the US Social Security Administration’s database tracks baby name popularity going back to the 1880s, we decided to take a look at American parents’ top picks from a century ago.
It turns out that many popular names remain popular (think William, James and Elizabeth), while others (like Mildred, Gladys and Ralph) have faded. Still others (like Evelyn) declined in popularity over the 20th century but made a resurgence in recent years.
Below, the 25 most popular baby names for boys and girls in 1919:
Girls
Mary
Helen
Dorothy
Margaret
Ruth
Mildred
Virginia
Elizabeth
Frances
Anna
Evelyn
Marie
Alice
Florence
Betty
Irene
Lillian
Doris
Rose
Louise
Gladys
Edna
Catherine
Ruby
Martha.
Boys
John
William
James
Robert
Charles
George
Joseph
Edward
Frank
Thomas
Walter
Richard
Harold
Raymond
Paul
Henry
Donald
Albert
Arthur
Harry
Jack
Ralph
Willie
Howard
Clarence.