Virginia's most popular baby names in 1920

In the year 1920, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Virginia, and Margaret were the top three names for baby girls in the state. Mary, in particular, was a popular name for baby girls across the United States during this time, and it remained so for several decades.

For baby boys, the names James, William, and John were the most popular in Virginia in 1920. These names were also popular across the United States during this time, and they continued to be popular for many years to come. The popularity of these traditional names reflects a cultural preference for classic, timeless names that have been used for generations.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Virginia in 1920 were rooted in tradition and reflected a desire for names that were classic and timeless. While naming trends have changed over the years, many of these names remain popular today, demonstrating their enduring appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1920

According to records from 1920, the most popular baby girl name in Virginia was Mary, with 2046 babies given that name. Virginia was the second most popular name with 849 babies, followed by Margaret with 825 babies, Dorothy with 792 babies, and Helen with 636 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Virginia during that year.

  1. Mary

    2046 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) 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.

  2. Virginia

    849 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Virginia

    The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.

  3. Margaret

    825 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  4. Dorothy

    792 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  5. Helen

    636 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Helen

    Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

  6. Elizabeth

    602 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) 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.

  7. Ruth

    586 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Ruth

    The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.

  8. Frances

    528 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  9. Mildred

    495 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Mildred

    The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".

  10. Louise

    486 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Louise

    The name Louise is derived from the Old German name Ludwig, which means "renowned warrior" or "famous in battle". It is a feminine form of the name Louis.

  11. Annie

    415 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Annie

    The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".

  12. Ruby

    381 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Ruby

    The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.

  13. Evelyn

    376 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Evelyn

    The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.

  14. Gladys

    375 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Gladys

    The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.

  15. Edith

    357 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Edith

    The name Edith means "prosperous in war" or "rich battle" and is of English and Old German origin. It was a popular name during the Anglo-Saxon period and has been used throughout history.

  16. Thelma

    310 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Thelma

    The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".

  17. Ethel

    307 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Ethel

    The name Ethel means "noble" or "noble maiden". It is of Old English origin and was popular in the early 20th century.

  18. Hazel

    292 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Hazel

    The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.

  19. Alice

    291 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Alice

    The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.

  20. Lillian

    288 baby girls born in Virginia (1920) named Lillian

    The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1920

According to records from 1920, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were James, William, John, Robert, and George, in that order. James was the most popular name, with 1888 babies given that name. William came in second with 1680 babies, followed by John with 1315 babies. Robert and George were also popular names, with 976 and 747 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. James

    1888 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. William

    1680 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) 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.

  3. John

    1315 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) 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.

  4. Robert

    976 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) 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.

  5. George

    747 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named George

    The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.

  6. Charles

    724 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) 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.

  7. Thomas

    522 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Thomas

    The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.

  8. Joseph

    455 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  9. Edward

    403 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Edward

    The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".

  10. Richard

    339 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  11. Henry

    321 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Henry

    The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.

  12. Walter

    308 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Walter

    Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".

  13. Willie

    302 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Willie

    The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".

  14. Clarence

    282 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Clarence

    The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.

  15. Frank

    281 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".

  16. Harry

    270 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Harry

    The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".

  17. Samuel

    250 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Samuel

    The name Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is a biblical name. Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Old Testament of the Bible.

  18. Raymond

    228 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  19. Arthur

    213 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Arthur

    The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.

  20. Roy

    209 baby boys born in Virginia (1920) named Roy

    The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".