West virginia's most popular baby names in 1937

In 1937, the state of West Virginia saw a surge of new parents naming their babies after classic and timeless names. For baby girls, Mary remained the top choice, followed closely by Betty and Shirley. These names exude a sense of elegance and grace, and were likely chosen for their simplicity and familiarity.

For baby boys, James, Robert, and Charles were the most popular names in West Virginia. These names have been popular for generations, and were likely chosen for their strong and classic sound. It's no surprise that these names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1937

Based on the available data, the most popular baby girl names in West Virginia in 1937 were Mary, Betty, Shirley, Barbara, and Patricia. Mary was the most popular name with 1129 occurrences, followed by Betty with 860, Shirley with 820, Barbara with 576, and Patricia with 472. These names were likely influenced by cultural and societal trends of the time, and may have been chosen for their popularity, family significance, or personal preferences of the parents.

Mary

1129 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Betty

860 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

820 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Barbara

576 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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

472 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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
376 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Phyllis
305 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Margaret
288 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
277 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Janet
261 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Ruth
246 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Norma
235 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Carol
235 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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".
Virginia
225 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Dorothy
218 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Frances
216 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Anna
213 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Carolyn
211 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Martha
202 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Doris
195 baby girls born in West virginia (1937) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1937

Based on the data from 1937, the most popular baby boy names in West Virginia were James, Robert, Charles, William, and John. James was the most popular name with 1285 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 1070 babies, Charles with 883 babies, William with 832 babies, and John with 704 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical names, which were popular during that time period.

James

1285 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1070 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Charles

883 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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.
William

832 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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

704 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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
624 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
380 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
352 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Paul
331 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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
330 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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.
David
323 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Ronald
319 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
269 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Billy
234 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Harold
214 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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.
Larry
213 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Bobby
207 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Edward
204 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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".
Jack
190 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Carl
186 baby boys born in West virginia (1937) 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.