West virginia's most popular baby names in 1978

In the year 1978, West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jennifer, Amanda, and Melissa topped the list of most popular baby girl names, while Jason, Michael, and James were the most sought-after baby boy names.

It's interesting to note that these names have continued to remain popular over the years, with some even making it to the top 100 baby names in the United States. The people of West Virginia have a strong affinity for classic and timeless names, and it is evident in the names chosen for their little ones.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1978

In 1978, the most popular baby girl names in West Virginia were Jennifer, Amanda, Melissa, Amy, and Angela. Jennifer was the most popular name with 512 babies given that name, followed by Amanda with 336 babies, Melissa with 334 babies, Amy with 304 babies, and Angela with 272 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time, as well as traditional family names.

Jennifer

512 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Amanda

336 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) named Amanda
The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.
Melissa

334 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Amy

304 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Angela

272 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Heather
270 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Jessica
269 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) named Jessica
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.
Crystal
256 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Christina
200 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Stephanie
199 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Rebecca
198 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Sarah
194 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Lisa
178 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Michelle
175 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Kimberly
170 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
April
165 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Kelly
157 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Elizabeth
147 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Misty
144 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) named Misty
The name Misty means covered in mist or fog.
Mary
140 baby girls born in West virginia (1978) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1978

In West Virginia, 1978, Jason was the most popular baby boy name with 661 newborns given this name. Michael followed closely behind with 627 babies named after it. James was the third most popular name with 570 babies, followed by Christopher with 469 babies and David with 421 babies. These were the top 5 baby boy names in West Virginia in 1978.

Jason

661 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Michael

627 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
James

570 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Christopher

469 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

421 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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
362 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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
360 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Matthew
345 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jeremy
336 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Joshua
318 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
William
315 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Brian
278 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Timothy
258 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Joseph
256 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
245 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Eric
208 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Steven
176 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Richard
175 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
171 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) 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.
Daniel
171 baby boys born in West virginia (1978) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".