Virginia's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, Mary continued to be the most popular baby girl name in the state of Virginia. This classic name has been a favorite for centuries and it's no surprise that it held the top spot. Barbara and Betty also made the list of top baby girl names, showing the popularity of traditional names during this time.

For baby boys, James took the lead as the most popular name in Virginia. This name has remained a top choice for parents over the years, and it's easy to see why with its strong and timeless appeal. William and Robert also made the list of top baby boy names, showcasing the popularity of classic and traditional names during this era.

Overall, the top baby names in Virginia in 1942 reflect the values and trends of the time, with parents opting for names that were classic and timeless. These names have stood the test of time and are still popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1942

According to data from 1942, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Virginia with 1621 babies being named Mary. The second most popular name was Barbara with 1159 babies being named Barbara. Betty was the third most popular name with 943 babies being named Betty. Shirley was the fourth most popular name with 794 babies being named Shirley. Finally, Patricia was the fifth most popular name with 721 babies being named Patricia.

Mary

1621 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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

1159 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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

943 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

794 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Patricia

721 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Linda
645 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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."
Carolyn
638 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Nancy
609 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
600 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Dorothy
481 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
473 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Sandra
451 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Brenda
407 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Virginia
405 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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
404 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Peggy
333 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Elizabeth
332 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Martha
322 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Doris
315 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Carol
307 baby girls born in Virginia (1942) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1942

Based on the data from Virginia in 1942, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2284 babies given that name, followed by William with 1703, Robert with 1445, John with 1367, and Charles with 1025. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events during that time period.

James

2284 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1703 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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

1445 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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

1367 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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

1025 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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
696 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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
631 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
601 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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
567 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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
449 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Joseph
435 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Douglas
430 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Jerry
365 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Edward
356 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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
345 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
345 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
297 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Walter
269 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Paul
259 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) 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.
Bobby
248 baby boys born in Virginia (1942) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".