West virginia's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of West Virginia saw a surge of newborns with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Mary took the top spot as the most favored name, followed closely by Betty and Barbara. These classic names were popular choices for parents looking for traditional and timeless monikers for their baby girls.

On the other hand, for baby boys, James was the most popular name in West Virginia in 1940, followed by Robert and William. These strong and sturdy names were a reflection of the times, as parents sought to give their sons names that exuded strength and resilience. Overall, these popular baby names were a reflection of the values and traditions of the time, and they continue to be cherished and celebrated to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1940

In West Virginia, 1940, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with a total of 1045 babies given that name. Betty and Barbara followed closely behind with 624 and 609 babies respectively. Patricia came in fourth place with 558 babies and Shirley rounded out the top five with 480 babies given that name.

Mary

1045 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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

624 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

609 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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

558 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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

480 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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
462 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Linda
412 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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."
Carolyn
348 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Judith
346 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Carol
309 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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".
Sandra
307 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Phyllis
294 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Janet
276 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
272 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
240 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Joyce
231 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Dorothy
229 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Wanda
226 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Ruth
225 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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
193 baby girls born in West virginia (1940) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1940

Based on the data from West Virginia in 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, William, Charles, and John. James was the most popular name with 1330 occurrences, followed by Robert with 973 occurrences, William with 896 occurrences, Charles with 825 occurrences, and John with 797 occurrences. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity at the time, as well as their traditional and classic sound.

James

1330 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

973 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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

896 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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

825 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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

797 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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
465 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
459 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Richard
459 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry
437 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Thomas
405 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Ronald
391 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Jerry
317 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
George
310 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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
294 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Gary
253 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Kenneth
237 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
209 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Carl
209 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) 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.
Joseph
208 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Billy
187 baby boys born in West virginia (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".