West virginia's most popular baby names in 1947

In the year 1947, West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Linda, Mary, and Patricia were the top three names. Linda, meaning "pretty" or "soft," was a particularly popular choice among parents. Mary, a timeless classic, remained a popular choice as well. Patricia, meaning "noble" or "patrician," rounded out the top three.

For baby boys, James, John, and Robert were the top three names in West Virginia in 1947. James, meaning "supplanter" or "replacer," held the top spot as the most popular name for boys. John, meaning "God is gracious," remained a classic choice for parents. Robert, meaning "bright fame," was also a popular choice for baby boys in the state. These names continue to be popular even today, reflecting the timeless appeal of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1947

In 1947, Linda was the most popular baby girl name in West Virginia with 1796 newborns being given that name. Mary was the second most popular name with 1082 newborns named Mary. Patricia, Sandra, and Barbara were also popular names with 805, 743, and 735 newborns being given those names, respectively.

Linda

1796 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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

1082 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Patricia

805 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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

743 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Barbara

735 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Sharon
688 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Brenda
632 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Carolyn
577 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Nancy
529 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
445 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Betty
428 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
422 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Carol
421 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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".
Judy
419 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Judy
Judith
413 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
381 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Joyce
297 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Connie
292 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Connie
The name Connie is a diminutive form of the name Constance, which is derived from the Latin word "constantia" meaning "steadfastness" or "constancy". The name Connie is often used as a standalone name and can also be a nickname for other names such as Constance, Constanza, or Conrad.
Margaret
269 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
262 baby girls born in West virginia (1947) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1947

Based on the data from West Virginia in 1947, the top five most popular baby boy names were James, John, Robert, William, and David. James was the most popular name with 1681 babies given that name, followed by John with 1186 babies, Robert with 1168 babies, William with 1127 babies, and David with 1086 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical roots, as well as popular cultural figures of the time.

James

1681 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1186 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Robert

1168 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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

1127 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
David

1086 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Charles
923 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Larry
912 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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
706 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Gary
661 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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
647 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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".
Michael
558 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Ronald
528 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
524 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Donald
432 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
380 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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
369 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Kenneth
362 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
360 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.
Joseph
285 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Danny
279 baby boys born in West virginia (1947) 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.