West virginia's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for newborns. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, followed closely by Betty and Barbara. These timeless names have been popular for generations and continue to be a top choice for parents seeking traditional and elegant names for their daughters.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name, followed by Robert and Charles. These strong and classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be a popular choice for parents looking for names that exude confidence and strength. The state of West Virginia in 1938 saw a trend towards traditional and timeless names that have remained popular to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1938

In 1938, the most popular baby girl name in West Virginia was Mary, with a total of 1087 babies named Mary. The second most popular name was Betty, with 800 babies given this name. Barbara was the third most popular name with 635 babies, followed closely by Shirley with 634 babies. Patricia rounded out the top 5 with 491 babies given this name.

Mary

1087 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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

800 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

635 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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.
Shirley

634 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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.
Patricia

491 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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
437 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Phyllis
292 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Carol
280 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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".
Margaret
279 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
267 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carolyn
267 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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.
Ruth
259 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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.
Helen
253 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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
244 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Norma
226 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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
212 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Virginia
202 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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
200 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Martha
200 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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
198 baby girls born in West virginia (1938) 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 1938

In West Virginia in 1938, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, Charles, William, and John. James was the most popular name with 1309 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 1030 babies, Charles with 866 babies, William with 830 babies, and John with 729 babies. These names are all classic and traditional choices that have remained popular over the years.

James

1309 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1030 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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

866 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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

830 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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

729 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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
554 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
440 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
430 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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
359 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
327 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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
324 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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
316 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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.
Larry
294 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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.
Jerry
262 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Kenneth
260 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
251 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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
217 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Gary
209 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Jack
209 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Edward
206 baby boys born in West virginia (1938) 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".