Virginia's most popular baby names in 2016

In 2016, the most popular baby names in Virginia were Olivia, Emma, Ava for girls and William, Noah, James for boys. Olivia topped the list for baby girls for the second year in a row, while William remained the most popular name for baby boys for the fourth consecutive year. Emma and Ava followed closely behind Olivia for baby girls, while Noah and James were the second and third most popular names for baby boys.

The popularity of these names is not surprising, as they have been consistently popular across the United States in recent years. Olivia, Emma, and Ava have been among the top 10 most popular names for baby girls nationwide, while William, Noah, and James have been similarly popular for baby boys. These names are classic and timeless, making them a popular choice for parents in Virginia and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Virginia in 2016

According to data from 2016, Olivia was the most popular baby girl name in Virginia with 486 babies given that name. Emma was a close second with 454 babies, followed by Ava with 439 babies. Charlotte and Abigail round out the top five with 408 and 383 babies respectively.

Olivia

486 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Emma

454 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Ava

439 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Charlotte

408 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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".
Abigail

383 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Sophia
372 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Isabella
331 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Harper
327 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Elizabeth
303 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Amelia
301 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Madison
289 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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."
Mia
289 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) named Mia
The name Mia is of Scandinavian and Italian origin. It is derived from the Scandinavian name Maja, which means "bitter" or "sea of bitterness". In Italian, Mia means "mine" or "my".
Emily
245 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Evelyn
243 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Grace
224 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Sofia
218 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) named Sofia
The name Sofia means "wisdom" or "knowledge" and is of Greek origin. It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Ella
218 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Lillian
216 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Skylar
204 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) named Skylar
The name Skylar is of American origin and means "eternal life" or "sheltering".
Hannah
203 baby girls born in Virginia (2016) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Virginia in 2016

In Virginia, the top 5 most popular baby boy names in 2016 were William with 570 occurrences, followed by Noah with 519 occurrences, James with 507 occurrences, Liam with 482 occurrences, and Mason with 434 occurrences.

William

570 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Noah

519 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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

507 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Liam

482 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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".
Mason

434 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Jacob
429 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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
407 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Jackson
407 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Benjamin
404 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Lucas
370 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Lucas
The name Lucas is a Latin name meaning "from Lucania," a region in southern Italy. It is derived from the Latin name Lucius, which means "light" or "illumination."
Michael
367 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Ethan
366 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Alexander
337 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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
327 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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.
Matthew
326 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel
326 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Gabriel
322 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Gabriel
The name Gabriel means "God is my strength" or "hero of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is commonly associated with the archangel Gabriel in Christian and Jewish traditions.
Samuel
310 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Samuel
The name Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is a biblical name. Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Henry
307 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
John
306 baby boys born in Virginia (2016) 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.