The 501

Scientists love Virginia

Yes, Santa Claus. There is a Virginia.

I jest. If Santa knows anybody, he knows Virginia, who famously questioned his existence in 1897. But when it comes to names on his current list, Virginia barely rates. It’s no longer a common child’s name.

Au contraire, in scientific circles, Virginia Latinized is very popular when it comes to species’ names. It’s virginiana here and vi…