Virginia's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, the state of Virginia saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer took the top spot, followed closely by Jessica and Amanda. These names were undoubtedly inspired by popular culture of the time, as Jennifer was the name of the main character in the hit movie "Flashdance", while Jessica was the name of the lead character in the popular TV show "Family".

On the other hand, for baby boys, the most popular names were Michael, Christopher, and Jason. These names were classics that had been popular for decades, but their continued popularity in 1981 suggests that they were still seen as strong, traditional names that parents trusted to give their sons a good start in life.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in Virginia in 1981 reflect the cultural trends and values of the time, as well as the enduring appeal of classic names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1981

In Virginia in 1981, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 1198 babies given this name. The second most popular name was Jessica, with 908 babies named Jessica. Amanda came in third place with 805 babies named Amanda, followed by Sarah with 662 babies and Melissa with 532 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Virginia in 1981.

Jennifer

1198 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Jessica

908 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) named Jessica
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.
Amanda

805 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) named Amanda
The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.
Sarah

662 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Melissa

532 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Elizabeth
484 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Kimberly
481 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Crystal
476 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Stephanie
444 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Amy
440 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Heather
435 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Tiffany
417 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Rebecca
368 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Angela
356 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
April
355 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Mary
347 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Christina
346 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Michelle
330 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Nicole
299 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Ashley
288 baby girls born in Virginia (1981) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1981

In Virginia in 1981, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Christopher, Jason, James, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 1409 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 1255 babies. Jason came in third place with 1092 babies, while James and David rounded out the top five with 1046 and 944 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time, but they remain classic and timeless choices for baby boys.

Michael

1409 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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

1255 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Jason

1092 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
James

1046 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

944 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Matthew
909 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
John
897 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Robert
829 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.
William
818 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Joshua
765 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Joseph
629 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jonathan
612 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
Brian
603 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Justin
566 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Justin
The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
Daniel
532 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Brandon
496 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".
Charles
445 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Kevin
436 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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".
Timothy
430 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.
Thomas
429 baby boys born in Virginia (1981) 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.