Perhaps no decade in US history conjures up more imagery of all-American idealism than the 1950s. A politically conservative era, the '50s introduced the world to some of the most enduring cultural touchstones of the USA: milkshakes, Elvis Presley, "I Love Lucy," and sock-hops. One might imagine classic American kids named Jimmy and Susie splitting a hot-fudge sundae at a local soda shop—and you'd actually be historically accurate. James and Susan were in fact two of the most popular names of the decade.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 50s in West Virginia using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.
Keep reading to see if your name made the list.
Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,855
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 67 (#275 (tie) most common name, -96.4% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 188,328 (#23 most common name)
Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,870
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 30 (#377 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 184,663 (#24 most common name)
Randy is a name of Norse origin meaning "shield-wolf".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,957
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#623 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 120,514 (#33 most common name)
Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,077
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 286 (#74 (tie) most common name, -86.2% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 243,725 (#19 most common name)
Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,232
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 10 (#532 (tie) most common name, -99.6% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 178,453 (#26 most common name)
George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,247
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 86 (#229 (tie) most common name, -96.2% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 181,029 (#25 most common name)
Danny is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,367
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 12 (#499 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 86,615 (#44 most common name)
Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,462
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 63 (#285 (tie) most common name, -97.4% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 207,276 (#20 most common name)
Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,725
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 159 (#134 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 198,322 (#22 most common name)
Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,776
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 15 (#475 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 136,566 (#31 most common name)
Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,793
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 59 (#293 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 253,191 (#17 most common name)
Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,842
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 415 (#42 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 300,006 (#13 most common name)
Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,874
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 415 (#42 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 140,720 (#29 most common name)
Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,929
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 118 (#177 (tie) most common name, -96.0% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 262,822 (#16 most common name)
Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,948
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 94 (#218 (tie) most common name, -96.8% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 333,657 (#11 most common name)
Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,461
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 16 (#463 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 271,146 (#15 most common name)
Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,490
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 58 (#296 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 382,585 (#9 most common name)
Roger is a name of German origin meaning "famous spearman".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,663
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 16 (#463 (tie) most common name, -99.6% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 110,156 (#37 most common name)
Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,764
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 13 (#487 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 273,576 (#14 most common name)
Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,534
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 314 (#62 (tie) most common name, -93.1% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 454,385 (#8 most common name)
Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,611
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 11 (#515 most common name, -99.8% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 245,690 (#18 most common name)
Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,841
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#623 most common name, -99.9% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 329,935 (#12 most common name)
Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 5,841
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 113 (#182 (tie) most common name, -98.1% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 535,453 (#7 most common name)
Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 6,824
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 334 (#57 most common name, -95.1% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 361,178 (#10 most common name)
William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 8,236
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 667 (#13 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 591,226 (#6 most common name)
Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 8,270
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 493 (#28 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 837,466 (#2 most common name)
John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 8,737
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 443 (#34 most common name, -94.9% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 797,917 (#4 most common name)
Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 9,193
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 286 (#74 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 830,391 (#3 most common name)
David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,302
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 313 (#64 (tie) most common name, -97.0% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 769,951 (#5 most common name)
James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
West Virginia
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 11,805
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 663 (#14 most common name, -94.4% compared to the 50s)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 843,776 (#1 most common name)
