Virginia's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary topped the list of most popular baby girl names, followed closely by Barbara and Betty. These classic names were a reflection of the conservative values of the time, and parents were drawn to their simplicity and timelessness.

For baby boys, the most popular names in Virginia in 1940 were James, William, and Robert. These names were also traditional choices, reflecting the desire for stability and familiarity in uncertain times. James, in particular, was a popular choice due to its association with strong, respected figures such as James Madison and James Monroe, both of whom were Virginia natives.

Overall, the baby names of 1940 in Virginia were a reflection of the values and cultural norms of the time. Simple, traditional names were favored for both boys and girls, and parents looked to the past for inspiration as they welcomed their new arrivals into the world.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1940

In Virginia in 1940, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1427 babies given this name. Barbara was the second most popular name with 948 babies, followed by Betty with 880 babies. Shirley and Nancy were also popular names with 757 and 557 babies given those names, respectively.

Mary

1427 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Barbara

948 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Betty

880 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

757 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Nancy

557 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Patricia
502 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Joyce
460 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Margaret
433 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
429 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Frances
371 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Virginia
370 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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
343 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Helen
315 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Doris
305 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Elizabeth
304 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Alice
268 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Linda
266 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Phyllis
263 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Jean
257 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Sandra
247 baby girls born in Virginia (1940) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1940

In Virginia in the year 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1792 babies given that name, followed by William with 1393 babies, Robert with 1187 babies, John with 1080 babies, and Charles with 874 babies. These names were quite traditional and common during that time period.

James

1792 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1393 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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

1187 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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

1080 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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

874 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Richard
554 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
553 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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.
George
547 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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.
David
431 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Donald
370 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Joseph
355 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
287 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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".
Kenneth
274 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Bobby
268 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Ronald
248 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Walter
248 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Jerry
246 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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.
Raymond
227 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Billy
221 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Paul
212 baby boys born in Virginia (1940) 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.