West virginia's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, West Virginia saw some popular baby names for both boys and girls. For baby girls, the top names were Debra and Deborah, followed by the classic name Mary. These names were popular for their simplicity and timeless appeal. Parents in West Virginia seemed to favor names that were easy to spell and pronounce, yet still had a touch of elegance.

For baby boys, the top names were James, David, and Robert. These names were also popular across the United States during this time, but they held a special place in the hearts of West Virginian parents. James was a popular choice for its strong and classic sound, while David and Robert were chosen for their traditional and timeless feel. Overall, the baby names of 1956 in West Virginia reflected a desire for simplicity and classic appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1956

In West Virginia, 1956, the most popular baby girl names were Debra, Deborah, Mary, Linda, and Patricia. Debra was the most popular name with 713 babies given this name, followed closely by Deborah with 670 babies. Mary was the third most popular name with 645 babies, while Linda and Patricia rounded out the top five with 525 and 462 babies given those names, respectively.

Debra

713 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Deborah

670 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Mary

645 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Linda

525 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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."
Patricia

462 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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
427 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Donna
422 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Pamela
400 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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).
Barbara
399 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Kathy
387 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Brenda
374 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Karen
371 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan
321 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Sandra
308 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Teresa
292 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Rebecca
240 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Nancy
232 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Cynthia
232 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.
Connie
221 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Cathy
217 baby girls born in West virginia (1956) named Cathy
The name Cathy is a diminutive form of the name Catherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Greek words "katharos," meaning "pure," and "hekateros," meaning "each of two." Therefore, the name Cathy may be interpreted as "pure" or "each of two."

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1956

In West Virginia, 1956, the most popular baby boy names were James, David, Robert, John, and Michael. James was the most popular name with 1129 boys given that name, followed by David with 947, Robert with 832, John with 821, and Michael with 815. These names were likely inspired by biblical and traditional sources, which were popular naming trends during that time period.

James

1129 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

947 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Robert

832 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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

821 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Michael

815 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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.
William
722 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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
654 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Richard
594 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
454 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Gary
417 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Thomas
406 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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
372 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
361 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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.
Steven
347 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Joseph
333 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Ronald
329 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
323 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Terry
317 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".
Timothy
298 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) named Timothy
The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.
Roger
295 baby boys born in West virginia (1956) 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".