Virginia's most popular baby names in 1996

In the state of Virginia, 1996 was a year that saw some popular baby names for both boys and girls. The top baby girl names were Emily, Sarah, and Taylor. Emily was the most popular name for baby girls in Virginia in 1996. Sarah came in second place and Taylor was the third most popular name for baby girls.

For baby boys, the top names were Michael, Christopher, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name for baby boys in Virginia in 1996. Christopher came in second place and Matthew was the third most popular name for baby boys.

Overall, these names have remained popular over the years, with some variations and changes. Parents in Virginia have continued to choose these names for their children, making them timeless classics.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1996

In Virginia, 1996, the top 5 most popular baby girl names were Emily, Sarah, Taylor, Jessica, and Ashley. Emily was the most popular name with 647 babies given that name. Sarah came in second with 601 babies, followed closely by Taylor with 564 babies. Jessica and Ashley rounded out the top 5 with 555 and 516 babies respectively. These names were the most popular choices for parents in Virginia during that year.

Emily

647 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Sarah

601 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Taylor

564 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Jessica

555 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Ashley

516 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Rachel
511 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.
Hannah
492 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Kayla
480 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Elizabeth
468 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Brittany
455 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Samantha
444 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Alexis
410 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Megan
401 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Lauren
346 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Lauren
The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.
Victoria
338 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Victoria
Victoria means "victory" or "conqueror" in Latin. It is a feminine name that has been used since ancient times and is associated with strength, power, and success.
Courtney
323 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Courtney
The name Courtney is of English origin and means "from the court". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to girls.
Amanda
323 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Madison
319 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Katherine
302 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Katherine
The name Katherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a variant of the name Catherine.
Jasmine
296 baby girls born in Virginia (1996) named Jasmine
The name Jasmine is of Persian origin and means "gift from God" or "God's gracious gift". It is also the name of a fragrant flower.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 1996

In Virginia in 1996, the most popular baby boy names were Michael with 910 occurrences, Christopher with 851 occurrences, Matthew with 823 occurrences, Joshua with 800 occurrences, and William with 798 occurrences. These names were the top choices for parents in the state that year.

Michael

910 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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

851 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew

823 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua

800 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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.
William

798 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Jacob
766 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
John
732 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Brandon
695 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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".
Tyler
665 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
James
651 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Andrew
638 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
Zachary
605 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Nicholas
591 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Joseph
559 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Austin
557 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
Ryan
550 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Daniel
537 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Justin
525 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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.
David
516 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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.
Robert
507 baby boys born in Virginia (1996) 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.