West virginia's most popular baby names in 1949

In the year 1949, the state of West Virginia saw an influx of newborns with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Linda took the top spot, followed closely by Mary and Brenda. These classic names were a popular choice for parents looking for traditional and timeless options for their little ones.

On the other hand, for baby boys, James was the most popular name, followed by Robert and David. These strong and sturdy names were a reflection of the times and the values that parents held dear. With their popularity in West Virginia, it's clear that these names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1949

In 1949, Linda was the most popular baby girl name in West Virginia with 1633 babies being named Linda. Mary came in second with 957 babies being named Mary. Brenda was the third most popular name with 789 babies being named Brenda. Sharon was the fourth most popular name with 685 babies being named Sharon. Barbara rounded out the top five with 651 babies being named Barbara.

Linda

1633 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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

957 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Brenda

789 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Sharon

685 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Barbara

651 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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
643 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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
640 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Nancy
484 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carolyn
457 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Donna
437 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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
427 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Judy
387 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) named Judy
Betty
333 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Judith
331 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Deborah
306 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Carol
304 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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".
Susan
298 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Shirley
298 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Joyce
290 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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
264 baby girls born in West virginia (1949) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1949

In 1949, the most popular baby boy names in West Virginia were James, Robert, David, John, and William. James was the most popular name, with 1562 babies being named James that year. Robert came in second with 1112 babies, followed closely by David with 1092 babies. John and William rounded out the top five with 1049 and 1025 babies, respectively. These classic names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

James

1562 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1112 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.
David

1092 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.
John

1049 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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

1025 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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
972 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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
763 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Michael
659 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Gary
592 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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
568 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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
564 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Richard
541 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
497 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
462 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
403 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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
347 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Joseph
329 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
315 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
308 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.
Danny
296 baby boys born in West virginia (1949) 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.