Alabama's most popular baby names in 1986

The year 1986 saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names in the state of Alabama. The top baby girl names for the year were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda, while the top baby boy names were Christopher, James, and Michael.

Ashley, a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow," held the top spot for baby girls in Alabama. Jessica, a name derived from Hebrew meaning "God beholds," followed closely behind. Amanda, a Latin name meaning "lovable," rounded out the top three. For baby boys, Christopher, a Greek name meaning "bearer of Christ," was the most popular. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," came in at a close second, followed by Michael, a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God." These names reflect the cultural and religious influences present in Alabama during this time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1986

In Alabama, 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Jennifer, and Brittany. Ashley was the most popular name with 929 babies given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 911. Amanda, Jennifer, and Brittany were also popular choices with 567, 479, and 478 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as traditional family naming practices.

  1. Ashley

    929 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Ashley

    The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.

  2. Jessica

    911 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Jessica

    The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.

  3. Amanda

    567 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Amanda

    The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.

  4. Jennifer

    479 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Jennifer

    The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

  5. Brittany

    478 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Brittany

    The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.

  6. Tiffany

    386 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Tiffany

    The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".

  7. Heather

    372 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Heather

    The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.

  8. Kimberly

    325 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Kimberly

    The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.

  9. Amber

    318 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Amber

    The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.

  10. Whitney

    294 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Whitney

    Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".

  11. Stephanie

    283 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Stephanie

    The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.

  12. Elizabeth

    273 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Elizabeth

    Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

  13. Lauren

    264 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Lauren

    The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.

  14. Sarah

    244 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Sarah

    The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.

  15. Mary

    241 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Mary

    Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.

  16. Crystal

    231 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Crystal

    The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.

  17. Amy

    228 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Amy

    The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.

  18. Rachel

    216 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Rachel

    The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.

  19. Emily

    215 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Emily

    The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.

  20. Laura

    206 baby girls born in Alabama (1986) named Laura

    The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby boy names in Alabama were Christopher, James, Michael, Joshua, and Brandon. Christopher was the most popular name with a total of 958 babies given the name. James followed closely behind with 843 babies given the name, while Michael was the third most popular name with 813 babies named Michael. Joshua and Brandon rounded out the top five with 738 and 653 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time, as well as traditional family names and personal preferences of parents in Alabama.

  1. Christopher

    958 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  2. James

    843 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  3. Michael

    813 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Michael

    The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

  4. Joshua

    738 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Joshua

    The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

  5. Brandon

    653 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Brandon

    The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".

  6. William

    642 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named William

    The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.

  7. Matthew

    575 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  8. John

    554 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named John

    The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.

  9. Justin

    547 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Justin

    The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.

  10. Jonathan

    508 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Jonathan

    The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.

  11. Robert

    502 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Robert

    The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.

  12. Jeremy

    466 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Jeremy

    The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".

  13. David

    462 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named David

    The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.

  14. Daniel

    430 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  15. Joseph

    382 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  16. Timothy

    306 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  17. Charles

    305 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Charles

    The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.

  18. Andrew

    305 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Andrew

    The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrĂ³s" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.

  19. Jason

    294 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  20. Anthony

    289 baby boys born in Alabama (1986) named Anthony

    The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".