West virginia's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Topping the list of most popular baby girl names were Mary, Shirley, and Betty. These timeless names have been popular for generations and continue to be a popular choice for parents today.

For baby boys, the top names were James, Robert, and William. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents looking for strong, traditional names for their sons. Whether you are looking for a timeless name or a more unique option, West Virginia's top baby names of 1936 offer plenty of inspiration for parents-to-be.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1936

In 1936, the most popular baby girl names in West Virginia were Mary, Shirley, Betty, Barbara, and Patricia. Mary was the most popular name with 1085 occurrences, followed closely by Shirley with 1037 occurrences. Betty came in third with 813 occurrences, followed by Barbara with 514 occurrences, and Patricia with 435 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional naming conventions of the time.

Mary

1085 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Shirley

1037 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Betty

813 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

514 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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

435 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Nancy
397 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Phyllis
328 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Helen
295 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Margaret
282 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
237 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Norma
235 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Ruth
232 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Anna
231 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Virginia
223 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Peggy
199 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Carol
198 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Janet
190 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Doris
188 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Elizabeth
166 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Frances
164 baby girls born in West virginia (1936) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1936

In West Virginia in 1936, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, William, Charles, and John. James was the most popular name with 1287 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 1041, William with 842, Charles with 799, and John with 727.

James

1287 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1041 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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

842 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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

799 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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

727 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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
548 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
413 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
330 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Thomas
326 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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.
George
299 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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
298 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Ronald
253 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
248 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
244 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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.
Bobby
222 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jack
219 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Joseph
214 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Billy
205 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Franklin
191 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) named Franklin
Edward
185 baby boys born in West virginia (1936) 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".