West virginia's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of West Virginia saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, the name Mary was the most popular choice, followed closely by Virginia and Helen. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

On the other hand, for baby boys, the top names were James, William, and John. These strong and traditional names have been popular for centuries and still remain popular choices for parents in West Virginia and beyond. It’s clear that parents in West Virginia have a love for classic and timeless names for their little ones.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1917

In 1917, the most popular baby girl name in West Virginia was Mary, with a total of 1230 newborns given this name. Virginia came in second place with 499 babies named after the state. Helen was the third most popular name with 464 newborns, followed by Ruth with 383 babies and Margaret with 363 newborns. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time.

Mary

1230 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Virginia

499 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Helen

464 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Ruth

383 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Margaret

363 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Mildred
310 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Dorothy
282 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Elizabeth
270 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Ruby
223 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Ruby
The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.
Hazel
220 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Hazel
The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.
Anna
219 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Pauline
202 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Pauline
The name Pauline is a feminine name of French origin. It is the feminine form of the name Paul, which means "small" or "humble" in Latin. The name Pauline is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and a strong will. It is a classic name that has been popular for centuries and is still widely used today.
Frances
190 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Edith
188 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Edith
The name Edith means "prosperous in war" or "rich battle" and is of English and Old German origin. It was a popular name during the Anglo-Saxon period and has been used throughout history.
Evelyn
187 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Ethel
181 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Ethel
The name Ethel means "noble" or "noble maiden". It is of Old English origin and was popular in the early 20th century.
Thelma
179 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Thelma
The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".
Gladys
174 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Martha
158 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Edna
150 baby girls born in West virginia (1917) named Edna
The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1917

According to records from 1917, the most popular baby boy names in West Virginia were James, William, John, Charles, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 705 babies being given that name, followed closely by William with 678 babies. John was also a popular choice with 659 babies being named that, while Charles and Robert were also common names with 567 and 470 babies respectively being given those names.

James

705 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

678 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
John

659 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
Charles

567 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Robert

470 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
George
300 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Paul
238 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Harry
205 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Harry
The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".
Frank
198 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Joseph
196 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
182 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Edward
163 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Harold
160 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Carl
157 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.
Roy
154 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".
Walter
148 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Howard
140 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Howard
The name Howard means "brave heart" or "high guardian" and is of English origin.
Richard
135 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Raymond
124 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Ralph
123 baby boys born in West virginia (1917) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".