Virginia's most popular baby names in 2012

In the year 2012, the state of Virginia saw a surge in popularity for some of the most classic and timeless baby names. Topping the list for baby girls were Emma, Sophia, and Olivia, all of which have been popular choices for parents for many years. These names are known for their elegance and grace, and it's no surprise that they continue to be beloved by parents in Virginia and across the country.

For baby boys, the top names in Virginia in 2012 were William, Mason, and Liam. These names are strong and classic, and have been popular choices for parents for many years. William, in particular, is a name that has stood the test of time and remains a popular choice for parents who want a name that is both traditional and timeless.

Overall, the top baby names in Virginia in 2012 reflect a desire for classic and timeless names that are both elegant and strong. Whether parents are looking for a name that is steeped in tradition or one that is more modern and unique, there are plenty of options to choose from in the state of Virginia and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 2012

In Virginia, the most popular baby girl names in 2012 were Emma, Sophia, Olivia, Abigail, and Isabella. Emma was the most popular name with 519 babies given that name, followed closely by Sophia with 513 babies. Olivia, Abigail, and Isabella rounded out the top five with 496, 403, and 390 babies given those names, respectively.

Emma

519 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Sophia

513 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Olivia

496 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Abigail

403 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Isabella

390 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Ava
388 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Madison
365 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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
322 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Charlotte
309 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Charlotte
Charlotte is a female given name, a female form of the male name Charlot, a diminutive of Charles. It is of French origin meaning "free man" or "petite".
Elizabeth
267 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Chloe
265 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Hannah
252 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Ella
248 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Ella
The name Ella is of German origin and means "all, completely; fairy maiden". It is a short form of the name Eleanor or Ellen.
Avery
243 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Avery
The name Avery is of English origin and has multiple meanings. It can mean "ruler of the elves" or "wise". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls.
Lillian
237 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Lillian
The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.
Addison
230 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Addison
The name Addison is of English origin and means "son of Adam". It is a unisex name that has become more popular as a girl's name in recent years.
Lily
224 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Lily
The name Lily is derived from the flower of the same name, which symbolizes purity, innocence, and beauty. The name is often associated with these characteristics and is popular among parents looking for a feminine and graceful name for their daughter.
Grace
223 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Harper
215 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Harper
Harper is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "harp player" or "one who plays the harp". It was originally a surname but has gained popularity as a given name in recent years.
Layla
212 baby girls born in Virginia (2012) named Layla
The name Layla means "night" or "dark beauty."

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 2012

According to data from 2012, the most popular baby boy names in Virginia were William, Mason, Liam, Jacob, and Elijah. William was the most popular name with 647 babies given that name, followed closely by Mason with 546 babies, and Liam with 502 babies. Jacob and Elijah rounded out the top five with 486 and 482 babies given those names, respectively.

William

647 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Mason

546 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Mason
The name Mason is of English origin and means "worker in stone". It is often associated with the occupation of stonemasonry and is a popular surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. The name has a strong and masculine sound to it and is often chosen for boys.
Liam

502 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Liam
The name Liam is of Irish origin and is a shortened form of the name Uilliam, which is the Irish version of the name William. The name Liam means "strong-willed warrior" or "protector".
Jacob

486 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Elijah

482 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Elijah
The name Elijah is of Hebrew origin and means "my God is Yahweh". It is a biblical name and is associated with the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament.
Noah
471 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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.
James
464 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Ethan
432 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Jackson
424 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Jackson
The name Jackson is of English origin and means "son of Jack". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Michael
423 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Alexander
402 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Aiden
383 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Aiden
The name Aiden means "fiery one" or "little fire" in Gaelic. It is a popular name for boys in the United States and has been consistently ranked in the top 100 names for several years.
Andrew
370 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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
364 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Benjamin
364 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Jayden
361 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Jayden
The name Jayden is of modern origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to be a combination of the names Jay and Aidan, or a variation of the name Jadon which means "thankful" or "God has heard".
Joshua
355 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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
342 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
John
340 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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.
Ryan
329 baby boys born in Virginia (2012) 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.