Virginia's most popular baby names in 1953

In the year 1953, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among the baby girls, Linda emerged as the most popular name, followed by Deborah and Mary. Linda, which means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Spanish, was a name that had been gaining popularity in the United States since the 1940s and continued to be a favorite in Virginia in 1953.

For baby boys, the top three names in Virginia in 1953 were James, William, and Robert. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," had been a popular name for centuries and continued to be a favorite in the 1950s. William, a name of German origin meaning "resolute protector," was also a popular choice for baby boys in Virginia in 1953. Robert, a name of Old German origin meaning "bright fame," rounded out the top three names for baby boys in the state that year.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Virginia in 1953 reflected a mix of traditional and modern names, with some names having been popular for centuries and others gaining popularity in more recent years. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, as they represent timeless and classic names that never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1953

Based on the data from Virginia in 1953, the top 5 most popular baby girl names were Linda, Deborah, Mary, Patricia, and Brenda. Linda was the most popular with 1539 babies given that name, followed closely by Deborah with 1449 babies. Mary, Patricia, and Brenda were also popular choices with 1366, 1292, and 954 babies respectively given those names.

Linda

1539 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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."
Deborah

1449 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Mary

1366 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Patricia

1292 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Brenda

954 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Barbara
915 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Susan
769 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Nancy
661 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Debra
628 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Sandra
606 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Sharon
595 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Cynthia
589 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.
Carolyn
567 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Donna
532 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Pamela
516 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Karen
498 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Elizabeth
440 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Joyce
424 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) 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
422 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Betty
422 baby girls born in Virginia (1953) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1953

According to records from 1953, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were James, William, Robert, Michael, and John. James was the most popular name, with 2236 babies given that name. William came in second with 1878 babies, followed closely by Robert with 1790 babies. Michael and John rounded out the top five with 1696 and 1660 babies, respectively. These names were likely popular due to their traditional and classic sound, which has remained popular over the years.

James

2236 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1878 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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

1790 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Michael

1696 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
John

1660 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
David
1543 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Charles
1116 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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
1059 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
932 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Larry
815 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Gary
759 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Donald
664 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
646 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
600 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Joseph
576 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
529 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
479 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Steven
469 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Stephen
430 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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.
Edward
423 baby boys born in Virginia (1953) 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".