Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I of England. She was nicknamed "The Virgin Queen"; this transitioned easily into the name "Virginia", which was believed to be England's prized possession in the New World. Researchers believe that Sir Walter Raleigh gave the name for Virginia in 1584. The Virginia colony was founded in 1607 by John Smith at Jamestown. Virginia housed the very first settlement at Jamestown. Jamestown experienced many hardships, including harsh winters and starvation.

The importance of the name shows how influential England was over colonial America. Even the nickname for Virginia, "Old Dominion," is a direct link to the old country. Virginia was one of the most prized possessions of England. This made the revolution much more severe for England, seeing Virginia, named after a Queen, leave.