Virginia's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of Virginia saw some popular baby names for both boys and girls. For baby girls, the top names were Shirley, Mary, and Betty. Shirley was a particularly popular choice, likely due to the rising fame of child actress Shirley Temple. Meanwhile, Mary and Betty were classic names that have remained popular throughout the years.

For baby boys in Virginia in 1936, the top names were James, William, and Robert. These names were also classic choices that have stood the test of time. James has consistently been a popular name for boys throughout history, while William and Robert are both traditional names that have remained popular over the years.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Virginia in 1936 were a mix of classic and trendy choices for both boys and girls. While some of these names have fallen out of favor over time, many of them remain popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1936

According to records from 1936, the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Virginia were Shirley, Mary, Betty, Barbara, and Nancy. Shirley was the most popular name with 1404 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 1380 babies. Betty, Barbara, and Nancy were also popular names, with 946, 773, and 492 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Shirley

1404 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Mary

1380 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Betty

946 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

773 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Nancy

492 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Dorothy
474 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
388 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Frances
358 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Joyce
350 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Virginia
334 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Peggy
324 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Doris
316 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Helen
314 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Jean
288 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Elizabeth
265 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Patricia
241 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Ruth
225 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Martha
224 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Mildred
217 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Evelyn
207 baby girls born in Virginia (1936) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1936

In Virginia, 1936, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the top name with 1608 babies given the name, followed by William with 1198 babies. Robert came in third with 1130 babies named, followed by John with 965, and Charles with 813. These names have remained popular over time and continue to be commonly used today.

James

1608 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1198 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Robert

1130 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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.
John

965 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Charles

813 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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.
George
515 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Thomas
446 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Donald
406 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
405 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
306 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Bobby
290 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Edward
288 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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".
David
282 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) 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.
Raymond
246 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Paul
226 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Billy
224 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Harold
224 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Walter
211 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Kenneth
193 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Frank
192 baby boys born in Virginia (1936) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".