West virginia's most popular baby names in 1959

In the year 1959, the state of West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Debra and Pamela. Mary has been a popular name for centuries, and it continues to remain a classic choice for parents. Debra and Pamela were also trendy names during the late 50s and early 60s.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name in West Virginia in 1959, followed by David and Robert. James has been a popular name for many years, and it continues to be a top choice for parents. David and Robert were also popular names during this time, and many parents chose these names for their sons. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1959

In West Virginia, 1959, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Debra, Pamela, Donna, and Tammy. Mary was the most popular name, with 492 babies given that name. Debra came in second with 444 babies, followed closely by Pamela with 422 babies. Donna and Tammy rounded out the top five with 416 and 400 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Mary

492 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Debra

444 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Pamela

422 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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).
Donna

416 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Tammy

400 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) named Tammy
The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.
Kathy
383 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Linda
376 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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."
Deborah
353 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Patricia
335 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Brenda
324 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Teresa
316 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Karen
311 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Kimberly
297 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Sandra
294 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Susan
284 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Debbie
270 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
Barbara
251 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Cheryl
234 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Cynthia
232 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Rebecca
229 baby girls born in West virginia (1959) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1959

In West Virginia in 1959, the most popular baby boy names were James, David, Robert, John, and Michael. James was the most popular name with 967 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 923. Robert came in third with 794, John in fourth with 742, and Michael in fifth with 689. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family naming practices.

James

967 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

923 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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

794 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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

742 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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

689 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Mark
605 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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.
William
596 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Timothy
520 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Richard
503 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles
476 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Jeffrey
334 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Thomas
331 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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
328 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
272 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Terry
269 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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
269 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Larry
259 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) 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.
Ricky
256 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named Ricky
The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".
Ronald
247 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
244 baby boys born in West virginia (1959) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".