Names of US

Virginia's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, the timeless classic, topped the list of most popular baby girl names. Following closely behind were Lisa and Donna, both of which were also popular choices among parents during that time.

For baby boys, the top three names were James, David, and Michael. These names were also very common during the 1960s and continue to be popular choices for parents today. The names James and David have biblical roots, while Michael has its origins in Hebrew and means "who is like God."

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Virginia in 1961 reflect the cultural and social norms of the time. Traditional and classic names were favored, and parents often looked to religious and cultural traditions when choosing a name for their child.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1961

In Virginia in 1961, the most popular baby girl names were Mary with 986 babies given that name, followed by Lisa with 838, Donna with 809, Karen with 785, and Deborah with 749. These names were popular choices for parents in Virginia during that year.

  1. Mary

    986 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  2. Lisa

    838 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  3. Donna

    809 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  4. Karen

    785 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  5. Deborah

    749 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  6. Cynthia

    714 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  7. Teresa

    712 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  8. Linda

    706 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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."

  9. Brenda

    705 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  10. Susan

    696 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  11. Patricia

    675 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  12. Sharon

    668 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  13. Sandra

    628 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  14. Pamela

    617 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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).

  15. Robin

    507 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) named Robin

    The name Robin is of English origin and is derived from the bird of the same name. It is a unisex name and means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  16. Barbara

    500 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  17. Elizabeth

    479 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  18. Kathy

    448 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  19. Debra

    440 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) named Debra

    The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.

  20. Tammy

    425 baby girls born in Virginia (1961) named Tammy

    The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1961

According to data from Virginia in 1961, the most popular baby boy names were James, David, Michael, John, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 1961 occurrences, followed by David with 1888 occurrences, Michael with 1813 occurrences, John with 1550 occurrences, and Robert with 1527 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical names that were popular during that time period.

  1. James

    1961 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. David

    1888 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  3. Michael

    1813 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  4. John

    1550 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  5. Robert

    1527 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  6. William

    1480 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  7. Mark

    898 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  8. Charles

    869 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  9. Richard

    789 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  10. Jeffrey

    768 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  11. Thomas

    755 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  12. Timothy

    667 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  13. Kenneth

    663 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  14. Joseph

    527 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  15. Steven

    520 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  16. Gary

    514 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) 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.

  17. Donald

    484 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  18. Ronald

    447 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  19. Kevin

    447 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Kevin

    The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".

  20. Anthony

    446 baby boys born in Virginia (1961) named Anthony

    The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".