Virginia's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, the state of Virginia saw the rise of some of the most popular baby names of the time. For baby girls, the most popular names were Mary, Barbara, and Betty. Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot as the most popular name for baby girls in Virginia. Barbara and Betty were close behind, showcasing the popularity of traditional names during that time.

For baby boys, the most popular names in Virginia were James, William, and Robert. James, a name with biblical roots, was the most popular name for baby boys in Virginia. William and Robert, two classic names that have stood the test of time, were also popular choices for parents looking to name their newborn sons.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Virginia in 1941 were traditional and timeless, reflecting the values and trends of the time. Today, these names may still be popular choices for parents looking for classic and timeless names for their children.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1941

In 1941, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Virginia with 1500 newborns given that name. Barbara followed in second place with 949 newborns named Barbara, while Betty came in third with 831 newborns. Shirley was the fourth most popular name with 731 newborns named Shirley, and Nancy rounded up the top five with 620 newborns named Nancy.

  1. Mary

    1500 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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. Barbara

    949 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  3. Betty

    831 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  4. Shirley

    731 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  5. Nancy

    620 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  6. Patricia

    620 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  7. Joyce

    503 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  8. Dorothy

    475 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Dorothy

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

  9. Margaret

    471 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Margaret

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

  10. Carolyn

    433 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Carolyn

    The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.

  11. Frances

    376 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Frances

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

  12. Linda

    371 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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."

  13. Peggy

    349 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Peggy

    The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".

  14. Elizabeth

    341 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  15. Sandra

    340 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  16. Virginia

    332 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  17. Helen

    285 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  18. Martha

    281 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  19. Brenda

    280 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) named Brenda

    The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.

  20. Alice

    277 baby girls born in Virginia (1941) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1941

According to the data from 1941, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 1895 babies named James, followed by William with 1449 babies, Robert with 1340 babies, John with 1087 babies, and Charles with 887 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Virginia during that time period.

  1. James

    1895 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named James

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

  2. William

    1449 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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. Robert

    1340 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  4. John

    1087 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  5. Charles

    887 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  6. George

    573 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  7. Thomas

    563 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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. Richard

    549 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Richard

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

  9. David

    461 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  10. Donald

    438 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  11. Joseph

    406 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Joseph

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

  12. Edward

    333 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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".

  13. Ronald

    313 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  14. Jerry

    300 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  15. Kenneth

    297 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  16. Bobby

    285 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Bobby

    The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  17. Paul

    246 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) 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.

  18. Raymond

    229 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Raymond

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

  19. Larry

    226 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Larry

    The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.

  20. Roy

    218 baby boys born in Virginia (1941) named Roy

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