Virginia's most popular baby names in 1937

In the year 1937, the state of Virginia saw a rise in popularity of traditional baby names. The most popular baby girl name was Mary, a name that has been consistently popular throughout history. Shirley and Betty were also popular choices for baby girls in Virginia that year.

For baby boys, the top names were James, William, and Robert. These names were also traditional and timeless, reflecting a desire for classic names that have stood the test of time. Overall, the top baby names in Virginia in 1937 were a reflection of a desire for names that were familiar and had a strong history behind them.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1937

In Virginia in 1937, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1452 babies given that name. Following Mary were Shirley with 1145 babies, Betty with 925 babies, Barbara with 798 babies, and Nancy with 474 babies. These were the top five most popular names for baby girls in Virginia during that year.

Mary

1452 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Shirley

1145 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Betty

925 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

798 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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

474 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Dorothy
435 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
398 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
352 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Frances
352 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Helen
326 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Joyce
325 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Doris
320 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Patricia
319 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Peggy
312 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Elizabeth
305 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Jean
253 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Ruth
242 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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
239 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Ruby
211 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Phyllis
207 baby girls born in Virginia (1937) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1937

According to records from 1937, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1735 babies given that name, followed by William with 1242 babies, Robert with 1184 babies, John with 968 babies, and Charles with 759 babies. These names are classic and timeless, and many of them remain popular choices for baby boys today.

James

1735 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1242 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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

1184 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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

968 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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

759 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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
520 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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
443 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Richard
439 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
401 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Bobby
322 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Joseph
316 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
312 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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
304 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Walter
227 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Paul
226 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Kenneth
222 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Billy
218 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Raymond
197 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harold
194 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) 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.
Joe
194 baby boys born in Virginia (1937) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".