Names of US

Virginia's most popular baby names in 1972

In the year 1972, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of some classic baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer took the number one spot, followed by Kimberly and Angela. These names were popular across the United States during this time, but they particularly resonated with parents in Virginia.

For baby boys, Michael was the most popular name in Virginia in 1972. This name had been a top contender for many years and continued to be a favorite among parents. Christopher and James also made the top three, showing that traditional and timeless names were still in vogue.

Overall, the baby names of 1972 in Virginia reflected a desire for classic and popular names that had stood the test of time. While there may have been some variation in popularity across the state, these names were likely heard in many homes and classrooms throughout Virginia during that year.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1972

According to the records of 1972, the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Virginia were Jennifer with 1320 occurrences, followed by Kimberly with 748 occurrences, Angela with 744 occurrences, Michelle with 650 occurrences, and Melissa with 618 occurrences. These names were the most commonly given to baby girls in Virginia during that year.

  1. Jennifer

    1320 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Jennifer

    The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

  2. Kimberly

    748 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Kimberly

    The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.

  3. Angela

    744 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Angela

    The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.

  4. Michelle

    650 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Michelle

    Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.

  5. Melissa

    618 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Melissa

    The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.

  6. Amy

    610 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Amy

    The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.

  7. Lisa

    576 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Lisa

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

  8. Tammy

    438 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  9. Stephanie

    432 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Stephanie

    The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.

  10. Mary

    394 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  11. Elizabeth

    343 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  12. Rebecca

    336 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Rebecca

    Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.

  13. Karen

    330 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Karen

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

  14. Heather

    324 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Heather

    The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.

  15. Susan

    293 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  16. Tracy

    284 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Tracy

    The name Tracy is of Irish origin and means "warrior" or "fighter". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

  17. Tina

    282 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Tina

    The name Tina is a diminutive form of Christina, which is derived from the Greek name Christos, meaning "anointed one" or "follower of Christ." Therefore, the name Tina can be interpreted as "follower of Christ" or "anointed one."

  18. Shannon

    275 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Shannon

    The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

  19. Cynthia

    266 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  20. Tonya

    262 baby girls born in Virginia (1972) named Tonya

    The name Tonya is a feminine given name of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to be a variant of the name Tanya or Tania, which may have Slavic or Latin roots. The name Tonya has been popularized in the United States since the mid-20th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1972

In Virginia, 1972, Michael was the most popular baby boy name with 1635 babies given that name. Christopher followed closely behind with 1478 babies, and James was the third most popular name with 1375 babies. David was the fourth most popular name with 1156 babies, and Robert rounded out the top five with 1046 babies given that name.

  1. Michael

    1635 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  2. Christopher

    1478 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  3. James

    1375 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named James

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

  4. David

    1156 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  5. Robert

    1046 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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

    1004 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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. John

    998 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  8. Brian

    817 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Brian

    The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.

  9. Kevin

    634 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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".

  10. Charles

    571 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  11. Jason

    528 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  12. Jeffrey

    518 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Jeffrey

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

  13. Joseph

    506 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Joseph

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

  14. Richard

    504 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Richard

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

  15. Thomas

    479 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  16. Timothy

    457 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  17. Mark

    452 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) 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.

  18. Matthew

    437 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  19. Steven

    415 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Steven

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

  20. Anthony

    415 baby boys born in Virginia (1972) named Anthony

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