West virginia's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, West Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among the top names for baby girls were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda. These names were not only fashionable but also carried a sense of elegance and sophistication. Ashley, in particular, was a popular choice among parents who wanted a name that was both classic and modern.

For baby boys, the top names were Joshua, Christopher, and Michael. These names were strong, timeless, and had a certain charm that made them appealing to parents. Joshua, in particular, was a popular choice for parents who wanted a name that was both biblical and contemporary. Overall, the top baby names in West Virginia in 1986 reflected a desire for names that were both traditional and trendy.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1986

According to the data from 1986, the most popular baby girl names in West Virginia were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Jennifer, and Brittany. Ashley was the most popular name with 473 babies being given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 448 babies. Amanda was the third most popular name with 357 babies, while Jennifer and Brittany came in fourth and fifth place respectively with 263 and 229 babies being given those names.

Ashley

473 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Jessica

448 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Amanda

357 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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

263 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Brittany

229 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Megan
225 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Sarah
219 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Amber
210 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Heather
201 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Stephanie
149 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Samantha
140 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Tiffany
127 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Rachel
124 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.
Amy
118 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Danielle
111 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Kimberly
108 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Whitney
105 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) named Whitney
Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".
Elizabeth
99 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Rebecca
99 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Melissa
98 baby girls born in West virginia (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1986

In West Virginia in 1986, the most popular baby boy name was Joshua, with 457 babies given that name. Christopher followed closely behind with 429 babies, and Michael came in third with 399 babies. Matthew was the fourth most popular name with 380 babies, and James rounded out the top five with 324 babies.

Joshua

457 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Christopher

429 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael

399 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Matthew

380 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
James

324 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brandon
292 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".
Justin
284 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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.
David
272 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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
239 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Andrew
235 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
John
231 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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
216 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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
199 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Adam
189 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Jonathan
187 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Jason
183 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Charles
180 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) 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.
Ryan
179 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Daniel
178 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jeremy
162 baby boys born in West virginia (1986) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".