Virginia's most popular baby names in 2006

In the year 2006, the state of Virginia saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, Madison was the top choice, followed closely by Emily and Abigail. Madison, a unisex name meaning "son of Matthew," has been a popular choice for girls since the 1990s. Emily, a timeless classic meaning "industrious" or "hardworking," has been a top choice for parents for decades. Abigail, meaning "my father's joy," is another classic name that has remained popular over the years.

For baby boys, William was the most popular name in Virginia in 2006. This traditional name, meaning "resolute protector," has been a favorite for centuries. Jacob, meaning "supplanter," and Michael, meaning "who is like God," were also popular choices for baby boys that year. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be common choices for parents in Virginia and across the country.

Overall, the top baby names in Virginia in 2006 were a mix of classic and modern names, reflecting the diverse tastes of parents in the state. Whether parents were looking for a traditional name with a long history or a more modern name with a unique twist, there were plenty of options to choose from.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 2006

In 2006, the most popular baby girl names in Virginia were Madison, Emily, Abigail, Emma, and Hannah. Madison was the most popular name with 547 babies given that name. Emily came in second with 523, followed by Abigail with 480, Emma with 464, and Hannah with 445. These names were likely chosen by parents for their daughters due to their popularity and timeless appeal.

Madison

547 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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."
Emily

523 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Abigail

480 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Emma

464 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Hannah

445 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Sarah
389 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Ava
376 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Ava
The name Ava is of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to possibly be a variation of the name Eve or a shortened form of the name Aveline. Some sources suggest that it may also have Germanic roots and mean "desired" or "life" in Hebrew. However, the true meaning of the name Ava remains unknown.
Olivia
370 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Olivia
The name Olivia is of Latin origin and means "olive tree". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and fertility, and the name Olivia has been associated with these qualities.
Elizabeth
364 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Isabella
331 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Isabella
The name Isabella is of Italian and Spanish origin and means "God is my oath" or "devoted to God". It is a variant of the name Elizabeth.
Sophia
308 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Grace
301 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Grace
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Taylor
296 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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
288 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Katherine
288 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Katherine
The name Katherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a variant of the name Catherine.
Samantha
271 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Alexis
271 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Natalie
255 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Natalie
The name Natalie is of Latin origin and means "birthday of the Lord" or "born on Christmas day". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 19th century.
Chloe
249 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Chloe
The name Chloe means "young green shoot" or "blooming" in Greek. It is a popular name for girls and has been used in various cultures throughout history.
Anna
246 baby girls born in Virginia (2006) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 2006

In Virginia, 2006, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were William, Jacob, Michael, Joshua, and Christopher. William was the most popular name with 666 babies being given that name. Jacob and Michael followed closely with 621 and 585 babies respectively. Joshua and Christopher completed the top 5 with 584 and 559 babies being named after them.

William

666 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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

621 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Michael

585 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Joshua

584 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Christopher

559 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ethan
540 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Andrew
512 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Matthew
499 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
James
498 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph
493 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
490 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Daniel
465 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ryan
465 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Alexander
450 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Alexander
The name Alexander means "defender of the people" or "protector of mankind". It is of Greek origin and is a popular name for boys.
Tyler
445 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.
Noah
436 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Noah
The name Noah is of Hebrew origin and means "rest" or "comfort". It is famously associated with the biblical character who built an ark to save his family and animals from a great flood.
Christian
425 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Christian
Christian is a name that has roots in the Latin word "Christianus" which means "follower of Christ". It is a name that is commonly used in Christian cultures and is often given to boys. The name Christian is associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and faithfulness. It is a popular name in many countries around the world.
Benjamin
401 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Anthony
400 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
David
392 baby boys born in Virginia (2006) 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.