Yahoo Lifestyle 20 Beautiful Baby Names from the 1920s That Are the Cat's Meow
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As creative and unique as modern baby names may be, there’s something so nostalgic and stately about vintage baby names. Not only are they great for honoring past loved ones, but they also carry an inherent sense of knowledge, respect and leadership. Take the popular 1920s baby name Paul, for example. The name ties back to Biblical origins and can be associated with prominent figures, such as Paul McCartney, Paul Newman and many others.
So, if you’re interested in looking back in time, we’ve gathered a list of the most beautiful baby names of the 1920s to add to your baby name list. It’s time to resurrect a few of these sweet, classic monikers.
Betty
The name Betty, meaning "Oath of God," harks back to 1920s starlet Betty Blythe. Known for her risqué roles in The Queen of Sheba (1921) and She (1925). She sported the fourth most popular girl's name of the decade.
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Charles
For a name that warrants immediate respect and inherent accomplishment, opt for the name Charles. In 1927, famous aviator Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, making him an icon of not only the 1920s but also for decades to come.
Dorothy
Before The Wizard of Oz was created in the 1930s, the name Dorothy was remembered in regards to Dorothy Parker, a Rothschild by birth and an American author known for books and short stories, such as Enough Rope (1926) and "Big Blonde" (1929). A socialite by nature, Dorothy possessed the second most popular girl's name of the decade.
Edward
The most famous Edward of the 1920s was Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, one of the original creators of the music genre Big Band Jazz. Because of his impact on the music industry, the name Edward is forever attributed to traits of leadership and creativity. Maybe that's why it's been a mainstay in the top 200 baby names list for ages.
Helen
With a name that means "shining light," nobody embodies the name Helen more than the famous Helen Keller, who managed to write several acclaimed novels and teach from the 1900s to the 1960s, all while being deaf and blind.
George
George might've been the sixth most popular boy's name of the decade, but George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. is still considered to be one of the best athletes to ever live. Not only did he set individual records for the most home runs in a single season and the highest slugging percentage in the league, but he also led the New York Yankees, who had never won an MLB championship, to four World Titles.
Doris
Touted by 151,191 baby girls in the 1920s, the name Doris has come to represent elegance and grace, thanks in part to silent film star Doris Kenyon, who was often cast as the heroine in movies such as Bright Lights of Broadway (1923) and Interference (1928).
Walter
Today, you might associate the name Walter White with the television show Breaking Bad and/or Bryan Cranston, but in the 1920s, the name Walter White erected thoughts of civil activism and determination. This falls in line with the meaning of the name Walter: "army ruler" — someone who forges their own path no matter what odds they may face.
Margaret
The name Margaret carries a sense of inherent beauty. The name itself means "pearl," deriving from French origins, but it also has ties to the very first Miss America, Margaret Gorman, who was crowned in 1921 and given the title "the most beautiful woman in America."
Paul
Looking for a name to suit a boy who can do it all? How about Paul? The stately name with Biblical origins is shared by '20s renaissance man Paul Robeson, who was an actor, singer, author, activist, and more. He's best known for playing Joe in the movie adaptation of the musical Show Boat, where he sang "Ol' Man River."
Virginia
Even today, you may associate the name Virginia with the great writer Virginia Woolf, whose name ranked seventh in popularity for girl's names in the 1920s. She's best known for her books Mrs. Dalloway (1925) and To the Lighthouse (1927). She's considered to be one of the best writers of the 20th century, alongside names such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Harper Lee.
Frank
Before Frank Sinatra took claim to the name Frank, there was Frank Lloyd Wright — arguably the greatest American architect to ever live. His buildings, and subsequently his name, went on to influence building, culture, and 151,830 newborn boys in the 1920s.
Ruth
Love it or leave it, but Ruth was the sixth most popular girl name of the 1920s, and Ruth Etting is the perfect example. The famous starlet was known for singing tunes such as "Love Me or Leave Me," "Shine On the Harvest Moon," and "Ten Cents a Dance." You can even find her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Harold
We can't mention the silent film era without also mentioning Harold Lloyd, the highest-paid star of the time. He starred in films such as Safety Last! (1923) and The Freshman (1925). He also touted the 13th most popular boy's name of the decade.
Anna
The name Anna is for trailblazers, or at least that's the legacy Anna May Wong left. She was the first Chinese-American film star to grace both screens and stages. Her roles in films such as The Toll of the Sea (1922) and The Thief of Bagdad (1924) gained her international recognition.
Thomas
As one of Hollywood's leading men, Thomas Meighan cornered the market for early talkies, starring in films such as Male and Female (1919) and The Argyle Case (1929). His name ranks 11th in popularity among boys during the '20s.
Marie
Not only was she a pioneer for women in STEM, but Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist, also won the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics thanks to her research on spontaneous radiation. Over a decade later, 110,564 girls were named Marie. Call it spontaneous or inspired!
Jack
It's almost as if the rhyme "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick" was written about Jack Dempsey, the American heavyweight boxing champion popular from the late 1910s to the mid-1920s. He was considered to be the ultimate professional fighter. And by the number of knockouts he achieved, we'd certainly say he matched the meaning of his name, "God is gracious."
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Frances
A unisex name at heart, Frances just narrowly etched the number 10 spot for most popular girl's name of the decade. Francis spelled with an 'I' for boys, ranked number 35. Frances Marion, pictured, was a two-time Oscar award-winning writer of the '20s, awarded for her work on The Big House (1930) and The Champ (1931).
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Joseph
Father of John F. Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., was an astute businessman and political leader in the roaring 20s who principled banks and served as an American ambassador. Like his now-famous last name, he sported a well-known, classic first name that went on to be given to 243,810 baby boys in the 1920s.
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