West virginia's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The most popular names for baby girls were Betty, Mary, and Helen, while baby boys were most commonly named James, Robert, and William.

Betty, a diminutive form of Elizabeth, was a popular choice for baby girls in the state. Mary, a timeless classic, remained a top contender, along with Helen, a name that had been popular for several decades. For baby boys, James, Robert, and William were the most popular choices. These names were all traditional and had been popular for many years, reflecting the conservative values of the time. Overall, these names reflect a simpler time in West Virginia's history, when traditional names were preferred over more modern or unique choices.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1931

According to data from 1931, the top five most popular baby girl names in West Virginia were Betty, Mary, Helen, Dorothy, and Virginia. Betty was the most popular name with 1190 girls given that name, closely followed by Mary with 1185. Helen was a distant third with 429 babies named that, while Dorothy and Virginia rounded out the top five with 357 and 312 babies given those names, respectively.

Betty

1190 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Mary

1185 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Helen

429 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Dorothy

357 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Virginia

312 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Margaret
305 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth
294 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Barbara
266 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Patricia
247 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Anna
240 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Doris
231 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Norma
225 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Wanda
208 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Phyllis
205 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Frances
182 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Nancy
182 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Mildred
176 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Ruby
174 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Elizabeth
166 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Evelyn
160 baby girls born in West virginia (1931) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1931

In West Virginia in 1931, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, William, Charles, and John. James was the most popular name with 1068 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1023 babies. William came in third with 800 babies, followed by Charles with 787 babies and John with 623 babies. These names were likely chosen due to their classic and timeless appeal.

James

1068 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1023 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
William

800 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Charles

787 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
John

623 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Donald
487 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
379 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Paul
300 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
George
299 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Jack
296 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Harold
261 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Billy
256 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Thomas
225 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Kenneth
208 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Edward
192 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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".
Joseph
189 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
David
182 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Carl
160 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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.
Harry
158 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) 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".
Howard
148 baby boys born in West virginia (1931) named Howard
The name Howard means "brave heart" or "high guardian" and is of English origin.