Virginia's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the most popular names were Mary, Betty, and Shirley. Mary has been a consistently popular name for girls for decades, and it's no surprise that it topped the list in Virginia. Betty and Shirley were also quite popular, likely due to their association with popular actresses of the time.

For baby boys, the top names were James, William, and Robert. James has been a popular name for boys for centuries, and it's no surprise that it was the most popular name in Virginia in 1939. William and Robert were also quite popular, likely due to their association with historical figures and popular cultural icons.

Overall, the top baby names in Virginia in 1939 were classic and timeless, reflecting the values and traditions of the time. These names continue to be popular today, proving that some things truly never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1939

According to the data of baby girl names in Virginia in 1939, Mary was the most popular name with 1349 occurrences, followed by Betty with 920 occurrences. Shirley, Barbara, and Nancy were also popular names with 884, 870, and 601 occurrences, respectively.

Mary

1349 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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

920 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

884 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Barbara

870 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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

601 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Patricia
447 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Dorothy
423 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
405 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
397 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Frances
352 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Virginia
346 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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
340 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Doris
315 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Martha
287 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Elizabeth
284 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Helen
278 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Phyllis
251 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Alice
240 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Ruth
239 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Jean
217 baby girls born in Virginia (1939) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1939

In Virginia, 1939, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1726 babies given the name, followed by William with 1324, Robert with 1205, John with 1014, and Charles with 829. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless appeal, as well as their popularity among previous generations.

James

1726 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1324 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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

1205 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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

1014 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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

829 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Thomas
477 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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
451 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
451 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Richard
450 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
417 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Joseph
345 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
320 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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".
Bobby
306 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Kenneth
259 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Walter
251 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Paul
224 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) 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.
Raymond
218 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Ronald
215 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Billy
209 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Jerry
205 baby boys born in Virginia (1939) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.