Virginia's most popular baby names in 1950

In the year 1950, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. According to official records, Linda was the most popular name for baby girls in the state, followed closely by Mary and Brenda. These names were at the top of the list for several years, reflecting a trend towards traditional, classic names for baby girls.

For baby boys, the names James, William, and Robert were the most popular in Virginia in 1950. These names were also very popular across the United States during this time period. They were seen as strong, masculine names that would serve boys well throughout their lives.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Virginia in 1950 reflected a desire for traditional, timeless names that would stand the test of time. While trends in baby names have certainly changed over the years, many of these classic names remain popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1950

Based on the data from Virginia in 1950, the top five most popular baby girl names were Linda, Mary, Brenda, Patricia, and Barbara. Linda was the most popular name with 1910 babies given this name, followed by Mary with 1449 babies given this name. Brenda, Patricia, and Barbara were also popular names with 1133, 1106, and 909 babies given these names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and personal preferences of parents during that time period.

Linda

1910 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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

1449 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Brenda

1133 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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

1106 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Barbara

909 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Sandra
751 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Carolyn
662 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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
627 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Deborah
613 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Betty
582 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sharon
533 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Shirley
528 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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
512 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Joyce
475 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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
434 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Donna
427 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Judy
427 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) named Judy
Elizabeth
415 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Carol
378 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) 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".
Gloria
360 baby girls born in Virginia (1950) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1950

According to data from Virginia in 1950, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2357 babies being given that name, followed by William with 1788 babies, Robert with 1666 babies, John with 1561 babies, and Charles with 1088 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and classic naming trends that were popular during that time period.

James

2357 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1788 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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

1666 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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

1561 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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

1088 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Michael
1055 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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.
David
992 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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
975 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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
878 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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
806 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
635 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
631 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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.
George
603 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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
594 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
536 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
506 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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.
Joseph
485 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
427 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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".
Roger
410 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) 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".
Stephen
382 baby boys born in Virginia (1950) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.