Virginia's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Virginia saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names. Among baby girls, Deborah was the most popular name, followed by Mary and Linda. Deborah, a biblical name meaning "bee," had been steadily rising in popularity since the 1930s, and reached its peak in the 1950s.

For baby boys, the top three names were James, Michael, and William. James, a classic name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," had been a popular choice for centuries. Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," had been steadily rising in popularity since the 1920s. William, a name of Germanic origin meaning "resolute protector," had been a popular choice for centuries and continued to be a top choice for parents in 1956.

Overall, these names reflect the cultural and religious influences of the time, as well as parents' desire for traditional, timeless names for their children.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby girl names in Virginia were Deborah, Mary, Linda, Patricia, and Debra. Deborah was the most popular name with 1490 baby girls being given this name. Mary was the second most popular with 1287, followed by Linda with 1120, Patricia with 1083, and Debra with 954. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Deborah

1490 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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

1287 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Linda

1120 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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."
Patricia

1083 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Debra

954 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Sharon
920 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Karen
864 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan
809 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Brenda
765 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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
748 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Donna
731 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Cynthia
717 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Pamela
593 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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).
Sandra
567 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Teresa
515 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Kathy
512 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Nancy
492 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carolyn
467 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Joyce
417 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Elizabeth
383 baby girls born in Virginia (1956) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1956

According to records from 1956, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were James, Michael, William, Robert, and David. James was the most popular name with 2191 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 1902 babies, William with 1869 babies, Robert with 1814 babies, and David with 1655 babies. These classic and timeless names have remained popular choices for parents over the years.

James

2191 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

1902 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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.
William

1869 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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

1814 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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.
David

1655 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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.
John
1607 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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
1068 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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
958 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
905 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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
739 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Mark
695 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Gary
682 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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
636 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
630 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
624 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Steven
579 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Joseph
571 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
512 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Stephen
465 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) 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.
Dennis
409 baby boys born in Virginia (1956) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.