West virginia's most popular baby names in 1957

In the year 1957, the state of West Virginia saw a surge of newborns being named after timeless classics. For baby girls, the name Debra took the lead followed by Mary and Deborah. These names have been popular for generations and continue to be a favorite among parents.

For baby boys, the top names were James, David, and Michael. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether it's a classic or a modern twist, West Virginia parents have always been drawn to strong and timeless names for their little ones.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1957

In West Virginia in 1957, the most popular baby girl names were Debra, Mary, Deborah, Linda, and Brenda. Debra was the most popular name with 607 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 560 babies. Deborah came in third with 523 babies, while Linda and Brenda rounded out the top five with 478 and 447 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Debra

607 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Mary

560 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Deborah

523 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Linda

478 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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."
Brenda

447 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Pamela
428 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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).
Kathy
428 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Patricia
393 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Karen
384 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
359 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Barbara
327 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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
316 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Cheryl
311 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Sharon
309 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Susan
300 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Teresa
288 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Cynthia
285 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Nancy
255 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Rebecca
245 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Connie
234 baby girls born in West virginia (1957) 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 1957

In 1957, the most popular baby boy names in West Virginia were James, David, Michael, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 1067 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 950 babies. Michael, Robert, and John rounded out the top five with 873, 841, and 774 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family naming practices.

James

1067 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

950 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Michael

873 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Robert

841 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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

774 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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
718 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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
586 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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
510 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
507 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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
412 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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
389 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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
374 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
370 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Timothy
365 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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.
Ronald
330 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gregory
322 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Terry
307 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) 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".
Steven
285 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Joseph
275 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
273 baby boys born in West virginia (1957) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".