West virginia's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Linda was the most popular name, followed closely by Mary and Barbara. These names may have been inspired by popular cultural icons of the time, such as Linda Darnell, Mary Martin, and Barbara Stanwyck.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name, followed by Robert and John. These names have been popular for decades and continue to be so today. It is interesting to note that these names were also popular among famous figures of the time, such as James Stewart, Robert Mitchum, and John Wayne. Overall, the top baby names of 1946 in West Virginia reflected the cultural trends and influences of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1946

In West Virginia in 1946, the most popular baby girl names were Linda, Mary, Barbara, Patricia, and Sandra. Linda was the most popular name with 1058 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 1016 babies. Barbara, Patricia, and Sandra were also popular choices with 732, 678, and 628 babies given those names respectively.

Linda

1058 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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."
Mary

1016 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Barbara

732 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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

678 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Sandra

628 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Sharon
571 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Carolyn
531 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Brenda
507 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Nancy
471 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Betty
451 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carol
450 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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".
Shirley
376 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Judith
370 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Judy
368 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Judy
Donna
354 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Karen
324 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Joyce
272 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Janet
241 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
239 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Susan
225 baby girls born in West virginia (1946) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1946

According to records from 1946, the most popular baby boy names in West Virginia were James, Robert, John, William, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1513 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 1091 babies, John with 1083 babies, William with 983 babies, and Charles with 899 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures at the time.

James

1513 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1091 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
John

1083 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
William

983 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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

899 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
David
809 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Larry
763 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Richard
638 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Gary
633 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Roger
570 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Thomas
527 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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
481 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Michael
407 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Jerry
404 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Donald
404 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
338 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
309 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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
308 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) 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.
Danny
256 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Danny
The name Danny is a diminutive form of the name Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. It is often used as a standalone name and has been a popular name for boys in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Joseph
244 baby boys born in West virginia (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".