Most popular boy names in the 80s in West Virginia

Written by:
March 19, 2026
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Most popular boy names in the 80s in West Virginia

Known for the emergence of MTV, the rise of neon, and the invention of the mixtape, the 1980s were certainly a rockin' era in American history. New economic policies were introduced, the news network CNN launched, and, much less enjoyable, Wall Street crashed on the infamous Black Monday—the worst one-day decline in American stock market history. Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as the first female Supreme Court justice, the Cold War saw the beginning of the end as the Berlin Wall began to fall, and millions watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television.

Among all the big hair, Rubix cubes, and shoulder pads, however, there were still plenty of babies being born during this defining time. And with celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Robert Palmer reaching their peak fame during the '80s, it's no surprise that many parents chose to name their kids after them.

To see just how popular these names were, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 80s in West Virginia using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Just like scrunchies and PAC MAN, Americans can still hold onto some of the best aspects of the '80s, including baby names (some things never get old). So whether you're welcoming a new little one into the world this year or just curious, these are the most popular baby names of the 1980s in West Virginia.

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#30. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,164
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 113 (#182 (tie) most common name, -90.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 154,750 (#27 most common name)

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Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#29. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,170
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 234 (#93 most common name, -80.0% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 211,870 (#20 most common name)

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Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#28. Travis

Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,178
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 47 (#323 most common name, -96.0% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 102,925 (#42 most common name)

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Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock

#27. Nicholas

Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,180
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 142 (#156 most common name, -88.0% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,320 (#19 most common name)

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#26. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,254
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 314 (#62 (tie) most common name, -75.0% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,817 (#24 most common name)

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Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#25. Aaron

Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,297
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 141 (#158 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 138,366 (#32 most common name)

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#24. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,312
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 94 (#218 (tie) most common name, -92.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,470 (#25 most common name)

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#23. Eric

Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,493
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 65 (#277 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,246 (#21 most common name)

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Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock

#22. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,688
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 159 (#134 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 172,834 (#26 most common name)

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#21. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,699
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 74 (#259 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,997 (#16 most common name)

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2p2play // Shutterstock

#20. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,710
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 334 (#57 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 131,905 (#33 most common name)

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#19. Ryan

Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,720
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 208 (#110 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,954 (#14 most common name)

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Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock

#18. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,763
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 286 (#74 (tie) most common name, -83.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,559 (#7 most common name)

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#17. Adam

Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,885
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 123 (#173 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,084 (#22 most common name)

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#16. Andrew

Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,907
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 292 (#71 most common name, -84.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,094 (#13 most common name)

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Ramona Heim // Shutterstock

#15. Jonathan

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,976
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 160 (#132 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,959 (#18 most common name)

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#14. Jeremy

Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,031
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 46 (#327 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,414 (#28 most common name)

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#13. Brandon

Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,265
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 122 (#174 most common name, -94.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,206 (#17 most common name)

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#12. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,298
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 415 (#42 most common name, -81.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,416 (#10 most common name)

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#11. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,393
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 667 (#13 most common name, -72.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 248,286 (#15 most common name)

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#10. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,699
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 443 (#34 most common name, -83.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,161 (#9 most common name)

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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#9. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,710
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 286 (#74 (tie) most common name, -89.4% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,672 (#8 most common name)

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Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock

#8. Jason

Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,950
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 152 (#143 (tie) most common name, -94.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,130 (#11 most common name)

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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#7. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,970
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 313 (#64 (tie) most common name, -89.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,702 (#5 most common name)

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#6. Justin

Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,376
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 103 (#196 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,826 (#12 most common name)

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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#5. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,670
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 663 (#14 most common name, -81.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,498 (#6 most common name)

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Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#4. Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,744
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 317 (#60 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,953 (#3 most common name)

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#3. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,318
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 493 (#28 most common name, -88.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,824 (#1 most common name)

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Mallmo // Shutterstock

#2. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,432
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 316 (#61 most common name, -92.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,886 (#2 most common name)

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Irisska // Shutterstock

#1. Joshua

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".

West Virginia
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,109
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 275 (#77 most common name, -94.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,530 (#4 most common name)

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