West virginia's most popular baby names in 1974

In the year 1974, West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Melissa, and Angela were the most popular names, with Jennifer taking the top spot. These names were reflective of the cultural trends of the time, with Jennifer being a popular name in the 1970s due to the influence of the character Jennifer Hart on the TV show "Hart to Hart."

For baby boys, Michael, James, and Jason were the most popular names in West Virginia in 1974. Michael was the most popular name for boys that year, a trend that continued throughout the 1970s due to the popularity of Michael Jackson and other famous Michaels. James and Jason were also popular names at the time, reflecting the trend of choosing traditional names for baby boys. Overall, these names were a reflection of the cultural and social trends of the time in West Virginia.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1974

In West Virginia in 1974, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Melissa, Angela, Amy, and Michelle. Jennifer was the most popular name with 444 babies given that name, followed closely by Melissa with 356 babies and Angela with 353 babies. Amy and Michelle rounded out the top five with 338 and 289 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

  1. Jennifer

    444 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Jennifer

    The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

  2. Melissa

    356 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Melissa

    The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.

  3. Angela

    353 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Angela

    The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.

  4. Amy

    338 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Amy

    The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.

  5. Michelle

    289 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Michelle

    Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.

  6. Heather

    263 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Heather

    The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.

  7. Kimberly

    246 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  8. Stephanie

    241 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Stephanie

    The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.

  9. Lisa

    217 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  10. Rebecca

    203 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  11. Christina

    160 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Christina

    The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.

  12. Mary

    157 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  13. Crystal

    141 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Crystal

    The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.

  14. Tina

    140 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Tina

    The name Tina is a diminutive form of Christina, which is derived from the Greek name Christos, meaning "anointed one" or "follower of Christ." Therefore, the name Tina can be interpreted as "follower of Christ" or "anointed one."

  15. Tammy

    137 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  16. Lori

    136 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Lori

    The name Lori is a short form of the name Lorraine or Laurence. Its origin and meaning are uncertain, but it is believed to have French or Latin roots. Some sources suggest that it may mean "crowned with laurel" or "victorious." However, the exact meaning of the name Lori remains unknown.

  17. April

    128 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named April

    April is a feminine given name that is derived from the name of the fourth month of the year. The name April has no specific meaning beyond being associated with the spring season in which the month of April falls.

  18. Kelly

    124 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Kelly

    The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.

  19. Elizabeth

    122 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Elizabeth

    Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

  20. Misty

    111 baby girls born in West virginia (1974) named Misty

    The name Misty means covered in mist or fog.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1974

Based on the data from West Virginia in 1974, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, James, Jason, Christopher, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 645 babies given that name, followed by James with 576 babies, Jason with 520 babies, Christopher with 477 babies, and David with 433 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional naming patterns during that time.

  1. Michael

    645 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  2. James

    576 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  3. Jason

    520 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  4. Christopher

    477 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  5. David

    433 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  6. John

    411 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  7. Brian

    390 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Brian

    The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.

  8. Robert

    367 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  9. William

    356 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  10. Charles

    256 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  11. Matthew

    231 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  12. Joseph

    214 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  13. Kevin

    204 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Kevin

    The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name CaoimhĂ­n, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".

  14. Steven

    199 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  15. Timothy

    197 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  16. Richard

    191 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  17. Eric

    181 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Eric

    The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.

  18. Jeffrey

    181 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  19. Thomas

    175 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) 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.

  20. Daniel

    163 baby boys born in West virginia (1974) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".