West virginia's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary remained the most popular name for the third year in a row. Following closely behind were Betty and Barbara, both of which were also popular choices for parents. These names were reflective of the traditional and classic naming conventions of the time.

For baby boys, the top three names were James, Robert, and Charles. These names were also popular across the United States during this time period. James had been a consistently popular name for many years, while Robert and Charles were rising in popularity. These names were likely chosen for their strong and timeless qualities. Overall, the baby names of 1939 in West Virginia reflected the values and trends of the era.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1939

According to data from 1939, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in West Virginia, with 1026 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Betty (700), Barbara (639), Patricia (569), and Shirley (551). These names were the top 5 most popular choices for parents of baby girls in the state during that year.

Mary

1026 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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

700 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

639 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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

569 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Shirley

551 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Nancy
472 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol
332 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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".
Phyllis
319 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Janet
295 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
281 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carolyn
280 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Helen
262 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Judith
246 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Joyce
245 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Ruth
239 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Linda
236 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Dorothy
227 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Janice
219 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Sandra
218 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Norma
204 baby girls born in West virginia (1939) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1939

In West Virginia in 1939, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, Charles, William, and John. James was the most popular name, with 1210 babies given that name. Robert came in second with 1048 babies, followed closely by Charles with 859 babies. William and John rounded out the top five with 842 and 775 babies, respectively. These names reflect a traditional and classic style that was popular during that time period.

James

1210 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1048 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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

859 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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

842 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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

775 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
David
485 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Donald
477 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
432 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
394 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
364 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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
339 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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
326 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Larry
313 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Kenneth
295 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
286 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Harold
243 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Joseph
208 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Carl
207 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Gary
199 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) 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.
Billy
185 baby boys born in West virginia (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".