West virginia's most popular baby names in 1997

In the year 1997, West Virginia witnessed a surge in the popularity of some of the most classic and timeless baby names. Topping the charts for baby girl names were Emily, Hannah, and Sarah, while Jacob, Austin, and Brandon were the most popular choices for baby boys.

Parents in West Virginia seemed to favor traditional names that have stood the test of time, with Emily and Jacob being the most popular names for girls and boys respectively. Hannah and Sarah were close behind, showing that parents were drawn to names with a strong biblical background. Meanwhile, Austin and Brandon were popular choices for baby boys, reflecting the trend of using surnames as first names. Overall, the top baby names of 1997 in West Virginia were a mix of classic and modern, reflecting the diverse tastes and preferences of parents in the state.

Most popular baby girl names in West virginia in 1997

In West Virginia, the most popular baby girl names in 1997 were Emily, Hannah, Sarah, Taylor, and Samantha. Emily was the most popular name with 211 occurrences, followed closely by Hannah with 202 occurrences. Sarah came in third with 155 occurrences, while Taylor and Samantha rounded out the top five with 134 and 128 occurrences, respectively.

Emily

211 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Hannah

202 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Sarah

155 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Taylor

134 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Samantha

128 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Ashley
124 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) 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
122 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Megan
115 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) 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".
Morgan
115 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Morgan
The name Morgan is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Old Welsh name Morcant, which means "sea circle" or "sea chief". It was originally a masculine name but has become more commonly used as a feminine name in recent years. The name is associated with strength, leadership, and intelligence.
Madison
109 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Courtney
107 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Courtney
The name Courtney is of English origin and means "from the court". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to girls.
Kayla
106 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Brittany
102 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Alexis
100 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Haley
95 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Haley
The name Haley is of English origin and means "hay clearing". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for females.
Amber
92 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Rachel
80 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Brooke
78 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Brooke
The name Brooke means "a small stream" or "a brook". It is of English origin and is typically given to girls. People with this name are often associated with being kind, gentle, and caring.
Abigail
77 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Brianna
75 baby girls born in West virginia (1997) named Brianna
The name Brianna is of Irish origin and is a variant of the name Brian. It is derived from the Gaelic word "brígh" which means "strength" or "virtue". Therefore, the name Brianna can be interpreted to mean "strong" or "virtuous".

Most popular baby boy names in West virginia in 1997

In 1997, the top five most popular baby boy names in West Virginia were Jacob, Austin, Brandon, Tyler, and Michael. Jacob was the most popular name with 298 babies given that name, followed closely by Austin and Brandon with 261 each. Tyler came in fourth with 260 babies given that name, and Michael rounded out the top five with 215 babies given that name.

Jacob

298 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Brandon

261 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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".
Austin

261 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
Tyler

260 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Michael

215 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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
197 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua
196 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Zachary
189 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Matthew
177 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
James
175 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Andrew
162 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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.
William
160 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Ryan
159 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Nicholas
146 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Joseph
145 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Cody
134 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Cody
The name Cody is of Irish origin and means "helper" or "cushion".
Logan
131 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Logan
The name Logan is of Scottish origin and means "small hollow" or "little hollow". It is derived from the Gaelic word "lagan", which refers to a small valley or hollow.
Justin
123 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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.
Dakota
120 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) named Dakota
The name Dakota is derived from the Native American Sioux language and means "friendly" or "allies".
David
115 baby boys born in West virginia (1997) 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.