Virginia's most popular baby names in 1997

In the year 1997, Virginia's most popular baby girl names were Emily, Sarah, and Hannah. Emily, a name of Latin origin meaning "rival" or "industrious", held the top spot for the second year in a row. Sarah, a Hebrew name meaning "princess", was a close second, while Hannah, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace", rounded out the top three.

For baby boys, Michael, Matthew, and Jacob were the most popular names in Virginia in 1997. Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God", held the top spot for the eighth consecutive year. Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God", was a close second, while Jacob, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter", rounded out the top three.

Overall, these names reflect a trend towards traditional, biblical names in Virginia in the late 1990s. While popular names may vary from year to year, these classic names remain popular choices for parents looking for timeless and meaningful names for their children.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 1997

In 1997, the most popular baby girl names in Virginia were Emily, Sarah, Hannah, Taylor, and Ashley. Emily was the most popular name with 670 babies being named that, followed by Sarah with 582 babies, Hannah with 571 babies, Taylor with 566 babies, and Ashley with 464 babies.

Emily

670 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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

582 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Hannah

571 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Taylor

566 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Ashley

464 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Alexis
461 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Jessica
455 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Kayla
438 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Rachel
427 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Samantha
414 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Madison
388 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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."
Elizabeth
386 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Lauren
366 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Megan
351 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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".
Brittany
334 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Victoria
329 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Morgan
303 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) named Morgan
The name Morgan is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Old Welsh name Morcant, which means "sea circle" or "sea chief". It was originally a masculine name but has become more commonly used as a feminine name in recent years. The name is associated with strength, leadership, and intelligence.
Katherine
300 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) named Katherine
The name Katherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a variant of the name Catherine.
Amanda
280 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Jasmine
266 baby girls born in Virginia (1997) 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 1997

According to data from 1997, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were Michael, Matthew, Jacob, Christopher, and William. Michael was the most popular name with 899 babies given that name, followed closely by Matthew with 843 babies and Jacob with 841 babies. Christopher and William rounded out the top five with 814 and 764 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

899 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Matthew

843 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jacob

841 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Christopher

814 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
William

764 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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
759 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
James
687 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John
682 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Nicholas
617 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Tyler
615 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Zachary
600 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Andrew
594 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Brandon
591 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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".
Austin
577 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Joseph
540 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Ryan
527 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
David
526 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Daniel
504 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Justin
480 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.
Robert
454 baby boys born in Virginia (1997) 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.