The Commonwealth of Virginia (pronounce /vɚˈdʒɪnjə/) is an American state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is the 12th-most populous state in the U.S. with over 7.7 million residents, and the 35th-largest in area. It is named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who, never having married, was known as the 'Virgin Queen'. The state is also known as the "The Old Dominion" and sometimes "Mother of Presidents", because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents.