West virginia's most popular baby names in 1950

In the year 1950, West Virginia witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The state saw parents gravitating towards traditional and timeless monikers for their little ones. The top baby girl names of the year were Linda, Mary, and Brenda, while the top baby boy names were James, Robert, and John.

Linda emerged as the most popular name for baby girls in West Virginia in 1950. This classic name, which means "beautiful" in Spanish, was a popular choice across the United States during the mid-20th century. Mary, a name that has been in use since the Middle Ages, came in second place. Brenda, a name that was gaining popularity during the 1950s, rounded out the top three. On the boys' side, James, Robert, and John were the most popular names, showcasing the enduring appeal of classic and biblical names.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1950

Based on the data from 1950, the most popular baby girl names in West Virginia were Linda, Mary, Brenda, Patricia, and Sharon. Linda was the most popular name with 1379 babies given that name, followed by Mary with 889 babies. Brenda, Patricia, and Sharon were also popular names with 736, 665, and 602 babies respectively given those names.

Linda

1379 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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

889 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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

736 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Patricia

665 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Sharon

602 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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
595 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Sandra
564 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Deborah
471 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Nancy
441 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
429 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
428 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Carolyn
415 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Susan
322 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Carol
315 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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".
Joyce
308 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Judy
298 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) named Judy
Judith
288 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Betty
282 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Pamela
276 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Shirley
269 baby girls born in West virginia (1950) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1950

Based on the records of baby names in West Virginia in 1950, the most popular names for baby boys were James, Robert, John, William, and David. James was the most popular name, with 1435 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1117 babies. John, William, and David were also popular names, with 1098, 1028, and 1012 babies named after these names, respectively. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and classic appeal, as well as their popularity during that time period.

James

1435 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1117 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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

1098 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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

1028 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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

1012 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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
872 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Michael
810 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Larry
718 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Gary
626 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Richard
584 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Roger
579 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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
539 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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
460 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
427 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
383 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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
351 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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
324 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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.
Kenneth
310 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Danny
296 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) 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
293 baby boys born in West virginia (1950) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".