West virginia's most popular baby names in 1980

In the year 1980, West Virginia saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Amanda, Jennifer, and Jessica were the top baby girl names, while Jason, Joshua, and Michael were the most popular for baby boys.

Amanda, meaning "worthy of love," held the top spot for baby girls in West Virginia. Jennifer, meaning "white wave," and Jessica, meaning "God beholds," followed closely behind. For baby boys, Jason, meaning "healer," was the most popular name, followed by Joshua, meaning "God is salvation," and Michael, meaning "who is like God." These names continue to hold a special place in the hearts of West Virginians, as they represent a generation of babies born in the state during a time of growth and change.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1980

In West Virginia in 1980, the most popular baby girl names were Amanda, Jennifer, Jessica, Melissa, and Heather. Amanda was the most popular name with 658 babies given this name, followed by Jennifer with 508 babies, Jessica with 491 babies, Melissa with 315 babies, and Heather with 285 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, such as movies and TV shows, as well as family traditions and personal preferences.

Amanda

658 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Jennifer

508 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Jessica

491 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Melissa

315 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Heather

285 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Amy
251 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Sarah
238 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Angela
213 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Crystal
212 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Amber
181 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) named Amber
The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.
Stephanie
180 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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
177 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Tiffany
168 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Michelle
167 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Christina
155 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
April
152 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Misty
152 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) named Misty
The name Misty means covered in mist or fog.
Kimberly
148 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Mary
147 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Elizabeth
128 baby girls born in West virginia (1980) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1980

According to the data from 1980, the top 5 most popular baby boy names in West Virginia were Jason, Joshua, Michael, Christopher, and James. Jason was the most popular name with 615 babies given that name, followed closely by Joshua with 542 babies. Michael came in third with 531 babies, while Christopher and James rounded out the top 5 with 488 and 482 babies respectively.

Jason

615 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Joshua

542 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Michael

531 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Christopher

488 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
James

482 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
391 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Matthew
376 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
John
364 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Jeremy
328 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Robert
322 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
William
318 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Joseph
287 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Justin
279 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Justin
The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
Brian
262 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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
232 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Jonathan
224 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
Adam
218 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Adam
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.
Charles
212 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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
202 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) 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.
Daniel
191 baby boys born in West virginia (1980) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".