Virginia's most popular baby names in 1974

In the year 1974, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer was the most popular name, followed closely by Angela and Amy. These names were all quite trendy at the time, and it's likely that many parents were drawn to their modern sound and feel.

On the baby boy side of things, Michael was the most popular name in Virginia in 1974. This classic name has been a favorite for decades, and it's easy to see why. Other popular names for baby boys that year included Christopher and James, both of which have a timeless appeal that continues to endure to this day.

Overall, the baby names that were most popular in Virginia in 1974 were a reflection of the times. They were modern and trendy, yet still had a classic feel that made them enduring favorites. It's interesting to look back and see how naming trends have changed over the years, and how certain names continue to stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1974

In Virginia in 1974, Jennifer was the most popular name for baby girls with 1363 babies given that name. Angela and Amy were the second and third most popular names with 673 and 644 babies respectively. Kimberly and Heather rounded out the top five with 637 and 546 babies given those names.

Jennifer

1363 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Angela

673 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Amy

644 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Kimberly

637 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Heather

546 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Melissa
542 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Michelle
541 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Stephanie
457 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Lisa
407 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Rebecca
376 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Mary
350 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Elizabeth
322 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Karen
286 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Christina
281 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) named Christina
The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Tammy
279 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Susan
275 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Crystal
265 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) named Crystal
The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.
Tonya
252 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Shannon
251 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) 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.
April
235 baby girls born in Virginia (1974) named April
April is a feminine given name that is derived from the name of the fourth month of the year. The name April has no specific meaning beyond being associated with the spring season in which the month of April falls.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1974

According to data from 1974, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were Michael, Christopher, James, David, and Jason. Michael was the most popular name with 1497 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 1402 babies. James was the third most popular name with 1144 babies, followed by David with 1038 babies, and Jason with 959 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

Michael

1497 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Christopher

1402 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
James

1144 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

1038 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Jason

959 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Robert
915 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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
902 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
William
850 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Brian
790 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Kevin
571 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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".
Matthew
530 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Thomas
494 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Charles
465 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Joseph
457 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
439 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Eric
421 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Richard
418 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
409 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) 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.
Steven
400 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Jeffrey
398 baby boys born in Virginia (1974) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.