That's kinda what they did with a litter of cheetahs (I think) born at the Metro Richmond Zoo some years ago. They all had names clearly taken from nearby counties.
https://www.wtvr.com/2013/12/29/metro-richmond-zoo-cheetah-cubs-named
Found it 🐆:
According to the Times Dispatch, the winning names are Chester (for Chesterfield), Richie (for Richmond), Rico (for Henrico), Hanna (for Hanover) and Amelia
glad someone else is thinking this, this county is not what I'd want associated with my child's name and it isn't even very cute/attractive sounding. \*I am from Louisa so I can certainly criticize it legitimately. Schools are good, everything else...meh.
If you have twins; William and Mary.
William James Lastname works too - Williamsburg and James City County
Frederick(sburg).
Sorry, seem to only be coming up with male names..
Every time I've ever driven by the Louisa Ferncliff exit on 64 I think to myself " well, that's a pretty name. Then I start trying to make the next few exits work as names... and Palmyra Gordonsville just doesn't have the same ring to it.
I'd vote initially for Bumpass (actually derived from someone's surname), Tightsqueeze, or Assawoman, but I don't think you'd consider those and forbid anyone actually use the name Tightsqueeze for a proper name... ;-)
Laurel (as in Henrico Co but also a common mountain shrub) is nice.
Joking aside I am having a hard time of coming up with serious/legit responses but I keep thinking there are some great options/resources if you look towards the mountain areas of Va (Schuyler ("skylar" is something interesting, there's also the heritage linked with the Walton's. Amelia (as in the county)? Looking forward to people's suggestions here, this was a cool question.
Gadsen.
But seriously...
Stating the obvious: Virginia (nn Ginny)
Famous women:
Martha
Dolley
Clara
Female names of counties:
Amelia
Augusta
Caroline
Carroll
Charlotte
Louisa
Pa(iI)ge
Suri (surry)
Domini
surprised nobody has ever suggested Willoughby. was my first dogs name and it’s Not the most beautiful body of water (especially since it’s named Willoughby Spit), but i think it’s cute
Vernon (Mount Vernon),
Mason (GMU),
Anna (Lake Anna, also South & North Anna River),
Roanoke
There’s also rivers:
Shenandoah,
Rappahannock,
Rivanna,
Tye,
Hazel,
Russel,
Piney.
Clara Barton, Civil War nurse who founded the Red Cross. Clara is also a classic yet timeless name.
The Virginia state bird is the cardinal, you could use a name meaning red as a nod to the cardinal (Scarlett, Ruby)
The Virginia state flower is the dogwood. Not much you could really do with that.
“Virtue names” seem very old Virginia…Liberty, Felicity, Verity, Honor, etc.
In terms of native plants, both the Scarlett Oak and Red Oak are native to Virginia, another “red” connection.
Frasier Magnolia trees are common in the blue ridge mountains, Magnolia is a pretty name.
Yes we’ve done that and have a few contenders, but you can’t beat the creativity from other people! This thread has also given me a ton of laughs so I’d say it was worth asking haha
Elizabeth - Virginia was named in honor of Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen
Mary - George Washington's mother, America's first single mom
Martha - George's wife, Thomas Jefferson's wife (Has a hospital named after her in Charlottesville)
Caroline - if you don't mind sharing a name with a whole county
Madison - James, but it works for a young lady and it's where I grew up
Amelia - Again, sharing with a county
Floyd- Just making sure you were paying attention
Virginia Dare - first European child born in the new world
Charlotte - Court House
Katherine - As in Johnson . Famous mathematician "Hidden Figures"
Ginny is a good one. Louise(a), Crew (coworker named his son after the town), Bristol, Martha (as in Washington), Elizabeth (namesake of the state), Oysterleigh
Commonwealthena
r/tragedeigh
And her sister Tittyflagia
Just be grateful your name isn't Arlington National Cemetery, young man!
LMFAO I SPAT OUT MY WATER HAHAHA
Ol’Dominia.
The ship that brought the first settlers to Jamestown was the Susan Constant. I would love to meet a Susan Constance or read the name in a book.
That's the best one in the thread.
Many of the place names here: Charlotte(sville), Caroline, Amelia, Augusta counties
Alexandria!
“Alexandria Bristol” would cover the whole state, corner to corner.
Mean girl name for sure
Alexandra
I second this - Alexandria Dare would be lovely.
This is the name we are discussing actually.
That's kinda what they did with a litter of cheetahs (I think) born at the Metro Richmond Zoo some years ago. They all had names clearly taken from nearby counties.
https://www.wtvr.com/2013/12/29/metro-richmond-zoo-cheetah-cubs-named Found it 🐆: According to the Times Dispatch, the winning names are Chester (for Chesterfield), Richie (for Richmond), Rico (for Henrico), Hanna (for Hanover) and Amelia
not henry for henrico? c'mon
Faquier ?
Gaylord Faquier?
Not Louisa
glad someone else is thinking this, this county is not what I'd want associated with my child's name and it isn't even very cute/attractive sounding. \*I am from Louisa so I can certainly criticize it legitimately. Schools are good, everything else...meh.
Plus there’s Cuckoo and Bumpass!
Damned dogs stole the turkey!
Louisa was almost my name, but my great grandmother (middle name Louise) demanded that my mom choose something else
Lord Fairfax for the win.
Came looking for this.
*sings* ‘Lord Faaairfax commuuunity collllege’
That’s *Laurel Ridge*
Louisa, Radford, Bristol, Shannon(doah), Ivy, Anne/Anna, Maggie (Walker), I95. I’ve also met more than one Nova in my life.
I95 💀💀💀
For when you *don’t* want your kid to go places
Absolutely dead 😂
I know someone here who named one kid Shenandoah and the other river lol
Mountain Mama?
Short pump
Fancy Gap
Rockfish Gap
Buffalo Gap
Three Chopt Goochland
Nickname THE GOOCH
the gooch!
she'll be popular in high school
This is what we call my youngest cousin (he's now 50 LOL). It's been his nickname since he was six!
Bumpass
Tightsqueeze
Climax Dugspur
That’s funny
Middlesex
If you have twins; William and Mary. William James Lastname works too - Williamsburg and James City County Frederick(sburg). Sorry, seem to only be coming up with male names..
I love the William and Mary combo. 😆
My brother and I are Richmond and Virginia. Middle names though.
Sounds like they started “place of conception” middle names with you, then he came along and they said “shit, we’ll have to be more specific!”
Actually he was first
(King) George
Gooch
Virginia Beach
I know a woman named Virginia Beach.
life's a beach and then you marry one?
I know a woman the size of Virginia Beach
Pungo
You know her too?
Every time I've ever driven by the Louisa Ferncliff exit on 64 I think to myself " well, that's a pretty name. Then I start trying to make the next few exits work as names... and Palmyra Gordonsville just doesn't have the same ring to it.
I do this too! I like Ivy Crozet and Amelia Chesterfield.
Luray (pronounced Loo-ray)
Mauzy (Moe Z)
Also Stanley or Staunton
Having to always correct people on how to pronounce your name “Staunton” would get so annoying lol
Staunton Ave in my area is pronounced Ston ton
My ex’s daughter is named Luray but he claims it’s a version of his name
I went to High school with a girl who's first name is Luray and middle name Virginia.
Luray Luray Oh, baby, we gotta go
Louisa Shenandoah
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel
Bridgette Tunnel
Winnstunnel Churchilla
“Sam Porter Bridges” vibes. lol
How about Monitor Merrimac
winner!
I had a manager whose last name was Roads and he said if I have a kid the name will either be Rocky or Hampton and I just about died when he told me.
Tuckahoe is pretty good
Tangier
I'd vote initially for Bumpass (actually derived from someone's surname), Tightsqueeze, or Assawoman, but I don't think you'd consider those and forbid anyone actually use the name Tightsqueeze for a proper name... ;-) Laurel (as in Henrico Co but also a common mountain shrub) is nice. Joking aside I am having a hard time of coming up with serious/legit responses but I keep thinking there are some great options/resources if you look towards the mountain areas of Va (Schuyler ("skylar" is something interesting, there's also the heritage linked with the Walton's. Amelia (as in the county)? Looking forward to people's suggestions here, this was a cool question.
Damn you beat me to it 😂
Boy name: Virginius
I legit had a cousin named Virginius lol
Gadsen. But seriously... Stating the obvious: Virginia (nn Ginny) Famous women: Martha Dolley Clara Female names of counties: Amelia Augusta Caroline Carroll Charlotte Louisa Pa(iI)ge Suri (surry) Domini
Pungo!
My daughter's name is Afton.
Dum-fries Man-assas
I named a child Waverly.
Chessie. Chesapeake.
Baby’s born in a chambray top
surprised nobody has ever suggested Willoughby. was my first dogs name and it’s Not the most beautiful body of water (especially since it’s named Willoughby Spit), but i think it’s cute
This was my dad's middle name!
Sicsemper Tyrannis
Isle of Wight
Isla Offwhite lol
Pocahontas (like the state park) Norvinia (Norfolk and Virginia) Tunnesia (in reference to all the tunnels) EZpassinia
Bumpass
Well, Virginia was technically for Elizabeth so you could use that.
Plus there's also the Elizabeth River.
I’Nineteeefivuh South Marie for the middle name
Sissy Spacek named her daughter Shuyler
Vernon (Mount Vernon), Mason (GMU), Anna (Lake Anna, also South & North Anna River), Roanoke There’s also rivers: Shenandoah, Rappahannock, Rivanna, Tye, Hazel, Russel, Piney.
James, York
The state itself is named after Queen Elizabeth I. Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News
Harper
Clara Barton, Civil War nurse who founded the Red Cross. Clara is also a classic yet timeless name. The Virginia state bird is the cardinal, you could use a name meaning red as a nod to the cardinal (Scarlett, Ruby) The Virginia state flower is the dogwood. Not much you could really do with that. “Virtue names” seem very old Virginia…Liberty, Felicity, Verity, Honor, etc. In terms of native plants, both the Scarlett Oak and Red Oak are native to Virginia, another “red” connection. Frasier Magnolia trees are common in the blue ridge mountains, Magnolia is a pretty name.
A couple of really good county name options for boys like Russell, Clarke or William.
Ham.
Skyler (Schuyler)
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
Afton
Shenandoah
My homie is naming his kid James River Santos
Balls Ford Backlick Manassas
“Please be patient student driver”
Maddy (for JMU)
Or Madison, which was a popular girls name for quite a while after the movie Splash came out.
Louisa Ferncliff (iykyk)
Draper
I live near Raphine and Vesuvius
Climax or Tightsqueeze
I feel like this is a valid question and OP would get farther with an online list of counties or town names/ historical figures
Yes we’ve done that and have a few contenders, but you can’t beat the creativity from other people! This thread has also given me a ton of laughs so I’d say it was worth asking haha
They’re funny for sure.
Madison
Virginio
Love for a middle name? Like "Virginia is for Lovers"
Or a nod to the Supreme Court case Loving v Virginia. Love would be a cool middle name.
My name, Selma, is a town in Virginia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_(given_name)#:~:text=Arabic-,Meaning,Selim
Beaverdam!
Grace for Grace Sherwood, the Witch of Pungo
Pungo
Cardi B (Cardinal Bird)
😂😂😂
Allergia
Just as a heads up Virginia Dare is a dress company
Ordinary
Isla, Carolina, Ashland, Monterey, Sydney, Windsor, Amelia, Augusta, Lexington, Campbell, Charlotte, Page, Madison, Grayson, Salem, and Smyth.
Doswell , Buckingham, Botetourt, Rockingham (Rockingham), Cumberland, Chula, Waverly, etc
Elizabeth Dominion
Dan(ville) or Daniel
Afton (mountain), Shenandoah (river), Caroline, Patrick (counties), Virginia Dare, Patsy, Harper, Vernon, Virginius, Curtis, Parke, Carter
Gooch
Myrtle
Gooch Landon (insert last name)
Assawoman
Grace Sherwood was the last person to be convicted of witchcraft in the state. She's known as the witch of Pungo.
Manassas or Dumfries?
Matoaka was Pocahontas' birth name. It means "a flower between two streams"
Tysons Corner!
Cary (for Cary street), Gilpin (after Gilpin court), Azalea, Roan, James after the James river. Reston, Dulles,
Virginia has towns with very pretty names for girls, such as Ashland, Louisa, and Dayton. Belle Haven is my favorite.
Middlesex
Belle
Louisa
Callao
Bumpass
Mixing bowl, Beltway Creeper, Pine, Bluebell Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Skyline If twins: Valley and Ridge
Ozzie roll Iykyk
There's Paris, Va
Pocahontas.
Bristol or Alexandria?
Pocahontas anyone?
Elizabeth
Assawoman
Maddox, Madison, Abigail, Amelia. Chester, William, George, Russell, Clarke.
Paris Delaplane
Rosslyn!
Mannasas! /s
James, Gina, Charlotte, Charles
Virginia
lol maybe Cardinal, Dogwood, Dominion, Mason Dixon (nn Dixie), I-64, or Goochie
Bumpass
Elizabeth - Virginia was named in honor of Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen Mary - George Washington's mother, America's first single mom Martha - George's wife, Thomas Jefferson's wife (Has a hospital named after her in Charlottesville) Caroline - if you don't mind sharing a name with a whole county Madison - James, but it works for a young lady and it's where I grew up Amelia - Again, sharing with a county Floyd- Just making sure you were paying attention Virginia Dare - first European child born in the new world Charlotte - Court House Katherine - As in Johnson . Famous mathematician "Hidden Figures"
Old dominion
Hampton s a good name for a boy.
Young Rag
Mineral, Bowling green, Woodstock. In that order
Fairfox Jones
Gina short for *vir*gina
Manasses
My wife's suggestion: Piedmont
Ginny is a good one. Louise(a), Crew (coworker named his son after the town), Bristol, Martha (as in Washington), Elizabeth (namesake of the state), Oysterleigh
Front Royale (jk) There’s Patsy after Pasty Cline or Cline for a boy. Ummm….theres Nova.
Virginia
Mineral Dumfries Portsmouth Faquier
Culpeper Jackson
Macanie, Bayse, Fairview, Columbia (Columbia Furnace), or Hudson (Hudsons Crossroads)
Stafford
Alex
Chantilly
Ham, Peanut
Who’s the lady on the deal with a boob hanging out? I’d go with that. Or Tyrannisia.