Virginia's most popular baby names in 1948

In the year 1948, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among baby girls, Linda was the most popular name, followed by Mary and Barbara. Linda, which means "beautiful" in Spanish, was a trendy name during this time, likely due to its association with the popular song "Linda" by Jack Lawrence.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name in Virginia in 1948, followed by William and Robert. James, which means "supplanter" in Hebrew, has been a popular name for centuries and continues to be a common choice for parents. William, which means "resolute protector," and Robert, which means "bright fame," were also popular names during this time period.

Overall, the top baby names in Virginia in 1948 reflect the trends and cultural influences of the time, with classic and timeless names remaining popular choices for parents.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1948

According to the records of Virginia in 1948, Linda was the most popular name for baby girls with a total of 2306 instances. Mary followed in second place with 1487 instances, while Barbara came in third with 1117 instances. The fourth and fifth most popular names were Brenda and Patricia with 1061 and 1041 instances, respectively. These were the top five names that parents in Virginia chose for their baby girls in 1948.

Linda

2306 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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."
Mary

1487 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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

1117 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Brenda

1061 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Patricia

1041 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Carolyn
779 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Betty
725 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sandra
698 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Nancy
687 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
590 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Shirley
554 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Susan
509 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Judy
501 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Judy
Margaret
495 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carol
404 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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".
Sharon
394 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Dorothy
389 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Elizabeth
383 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Gloria
368 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Donna
356 baby girls born in Virginia (1948) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1948

According to the records of Virginia in 1948, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2449 babies given that name. William followed with 1794 babies, and Robert with 1725 babies. John was the fourth most popular name with 1608 babies, and Charles was the fifth most popular name with 1112 babies.

James

2449 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1794 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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

1725 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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

1608 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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

1112 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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.
David
1025 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Larry
887 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Thomas
820 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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
807 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Michael
732 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Ronald
676 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
673 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Donald
613 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Joseph
524 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
480 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
474 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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.
Gary
438 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Roger
424 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Edward
411 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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".
Paul
326 baby boys born in Virginia (1948) 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.