Can we talk about Virginia?

edited for privacy

I like [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] and associate it with the state. I’m not at all bothered by the “virgin” meaning as it is not offensive. There’s teasing potential, yes, but ultimately it’s not a negative association. There are a lot of names with less ideal meanings (like [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]) but are perfectly acceptable to use and I don’t think [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] should be dismissed because of the meaning.

I absolutely [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] the name [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]. I’m British too, so I agree that the ‘southern-belle’ connotations or links with the state don’t really mean too much to me. I think it’s a beautiful name, and I adore the nickname [name_f]Ginny[/name_f]. I know a [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] who goes by [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] and I don’t believe she’s come in to contact with any virgin/vagina teasing.

I think that the beautifully rich history of the name outweighs any nickname negatives. [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] was also the name of the first child born to British parents in [name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u], and believed to be the name of [name_m]Edgar[/name_m] [name_m]Allan[/name_m] [name_u]Poe[/name_u]'s wife for whom he wrote his poem [name_f]Annabel[/name_f] [name_u]Lee[/name_u]. (I especially love this link, seeing as my own name is [name_f]Annabel[/name_f].)

[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let anyone talk you out of [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], is my advice. I think it’s a beautiful name!

I love [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], the first person I think of when I see it is [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Woolf[/name_m]. I understand your worry about its meaning, maybe you could see it more as meaning ‘pure, unspoilt’ rather than a literal virgin. [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] would be an adorable nickname.

[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] is uncommon and underused, so I say go for it. I like the nicknames [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] and [name_f]Virgie[/name_f]. I like it especially paired with one syllable middle names. [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f] or [name_f]May[/name_f] would be great. :slight_smile:

[name_m]Just[/name_m] throwing this out there, but I believe the name [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] was given to the state in the US after [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] I, the Virgin [name_f]Queen[/name_f]. So it might be uncommon in the UK but it definitely has an English background. I also love the nn [name_f]Ginny[/name_f]!

I adore [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] too ! The first thing that comes to mind is [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Woolf[/name_m] and let’s face it, there are worse people to be named after ! Also, I’m [name_m]French[/name_m] and so many women in my generation (b. 1979) are called [name_f]Virginie[/name_f] that the negative connotations have totally diluted. And it’s my (Romanian) husband’s grandma’s name and there are Virginias in my (Italian) mother’s family too, so for me it’s just a gorgeous, classic name. I do understand your qualms about the “virgin” associations though, but I do think that if you really love it, which you seem to do, you should use it !!!

I think [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] is a beautiful name! I wouldn’t worry too much about the connotations or possible teasing. Kids can find just about anything from any name if they really want to tease. Plus the nn [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] is just too cute!

I’m a Virginian born and raised, and I love the name! Our state was named after [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] I, the Virgin [name_f]Queen[/name_f]. Interesting tidbit, but not fantastic for your virgin worries.

[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] is sweet and lovely and reminds me of summer. It’s a great name with lots of positive bearers and a rich history. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let yourself be talked out of it.

I love Virginia, and it’s the name of my aunt, so I think I like it more for that reason. Her full name is Virginia Claire Rosemary, if you want MN ideas. As far as UK usage goes, 12 little Virginia’s were born in 2012 in England and Wales. I think Virginia’s lovely and you should use it. If teasing bothers you that much, put it in the middle spot. No one in the UK would think that Dulcie Virginia is too ‘southern belle’, actually, the English part of me thinks that Dulcie Virginia seems a bit more posh.

Also, Virginia reminds me of Christmas, thanks to the famous ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus’ story, and the little girl who started it, Virginia O’Hanlon (born Laura Virginia O’Hanlon). Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus - Wikipedia

I live in DC so when I hear [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] I think of the state. (I’m there almost every day and went to college in [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]). But if I could put that aside I think of it as rather regal and elegant.

I tend to think of [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] as a sort of virtue name. Virgin in this case meaning pure and un-affected by human activity. It was also the name given to the first English child born in the [name_m]New[/name_m] World.

Yeah, the full name probably has some teasing potential among primary school kids, as have many names. I’m not sure why ‘virgin’ is so bad though- I’d much rather have a name meaning ‘virgin’ than ‘slag’. Society’s come to something when being a virgin is looked down upon, yeesh. I’m not so keen overall. It sounds distinctly American to me. I think it’s clunky and, from what I have read/watched of [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Woolf[/name_m], she’s not someone I’d be keen to have as a namesake. I agree with the above poster though- in the middle perhaps it wouldn’t bother you so much. Personally, I’d rather be a [name_f]Dulcie[/name_f]/[name_f]Nancy[/name_f]/[name_f]Eilidh[/name_f] [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], than have it as a first name, though that’s because I far prefer those names :confused:

I’m neutral on the name because I can’t get past the “I’d rather be in [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]” advertising from the state. There’s a TV show where the husband wears an “I’d rather be in [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]” t-shirt and that’s his wife’s name.

I love [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]. I had a friend named [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], K-8th grade, no one teased her. Of course, I knew someone named [name_f]Grace[/name_f] who was mercilessly bullied and called “Grease” and “Greasy” until high school. So, you really never know. I would be a little more worried about teasing if I lived in a country where, as you say, it is a very uncommon name. In the US, people don’t bat an eye at the “virgin” association… which, on its own, I have no problem with. To me, the concept of virginity isn’t just a patriarchal farce intended to strip women of their power. It reminds me of the beauty of childhood, and the beauty of what comes after. I find virginity to be a very positive association.

is a gorgeous name and I say ignore the imbeciles who joke about virgins and vaginas.

My name is [name_u]Leslie[/name_u] and when I was little some boys called me Lesbian. I froze them out and then it wasn’t a problem any more.

I’m not a fan of the name itself. I’ve never met a [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] who liked her name either. It’s just too clunky and dowdy for me.

I’m similarly torn about [name_f]Virginia[/name_f].

I share your concerns about the “virgin” meaning being kind of oppressive and backward. At the same time, it’s more of a name-name than, say, [name_f]Chastity[/name_f], and I think the association with [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Woolf[/name_m] almost cancels out the meaning weirdness for me.

My real problem is the state. I’ve lived in [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] for the better part of my life (15 years!) and I know I could never use it as a name for, uh, political reasons. I really like how the word looks and sounds, and the associations with [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] Dare and [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_m]Woolf[/name_m], but I can’t quite get on board with my state’s reputation. (Not trying to start a political debate here, just explaining my own reservations with the name.)

So I think it’ll have to be a GP name for me. I think you could totally use it in the UK, though!

Is this advertising either really new or really old? Because I’ve never heard of it—for most of my life the annoying advertising slogan has been “[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] is For Lovers.” Kind of ironic when you think about it.

I started thinking about it when I came across the male name Virginio in ‘[name_m]Orlando[/name_m] Furioso’. Since I can’t fathom calling a boy Virginio, it seems a bit sexist to saddle a girl w/[name_f]Virginia[/name_f]. I prefer it as a place name.

[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] is gorgeous. I really wish it would get more love! It’s actually in the top 600 in the US, which kind of surprises me.

I didn’t associate [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] with virgin until a few years ago. [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] would be a cute NN for it.

I live in the state. So the name just seems weird to me. I know a [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], who is friends with my mom. So it reminds me of an older women with white hair and glasses. I do like [name_f]Ginny[/name_f], but [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] just doesn’t work for me. I think it is too old sounding. And the virgin thing just makes me dislike it more.