Alaska's most popular baby names in 1987

In the year 1987, Alaska witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jessica, Amanda, and Ashley emerged as the most popular names for baby girls, while Christopher, Michael, and Matthew were the top choices for baby boys. These names were undoubtedly influenced by the trends of the time, with many parents likely seeking out names that were both classic and modern.

As a historian and expert on names, it's fascinating to consider the cultural and societal factors that may have influenced these choices. Perhaps parents were drawn to the timeless appeal of names like Michael and Matthew, while also wanting to give their children names that were popular and trendy. Whatever the reasons may be, these names have undoubtedly left their mark on Alaska's history and culture, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Alaska in 1987

In 1987, the most popular baby girl names in Alaska were Jessica, Amanda, Ashley, Sarah, and Jennifer. Jessica was the most popular name with 156 babies given that name, followed closely by Amanda with 121 babies named that. Ashley was a close third with 120 babies receiving that name. Sarah and Jennifer rounded out the top five with 81 and 80 babies respectively given those names. These names reflect the popular trends of the time with many parents opting for traditional and classic names for their baby girls.

Jessica

156 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Amanda

121 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Ashley

120 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Sarah

81 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Jennifer

80 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Megan
71 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Heather
70 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Samantha
59 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Elizabeth
56 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Brittany
56 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Nicole
52 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Danielle
50 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Emily
50 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Rachel
49 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Stephanie
49 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Amber
44 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Kimberly
44 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Michelle
43 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Crystal
39 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Amy
38 baby girls born in Alaska (1987) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Alaska in 1987

In Alaska, 1987, the most popular baby boy names were Christopher, Michael, Matthew, Ryan, and Joshua. Christopher was the most popular name with 174 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 173 babies. Matthew was the third most popular name with 120 babies, while Ryan and Joshua rounded out the top five with 105 and 101 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity at the time, as well as their classic and timeless appeal.

Christopher

174 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael

173 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Matthew

120 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Ryan

105 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Joshua

101 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Robert
96 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Justin
94 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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.
David
89 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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.
James
85 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Andrew
83 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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 "andrós" 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.
Daniel
82 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kyle
79 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Kyle
The name Kyle is of Scottish origin and means "narrow strait". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to boys. People with this name are often described as confident, charismatic, and adventurous.
Brandon
76 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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".
Joseph
74 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
73 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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.
William
70 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) 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.
Nicholas
65 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Aaron
61 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Aaron
The name Aaron means "mountain of strength" or "enlightened" and is of Hebrew origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the brother of Moses in the Old Testament. Aaron is a popular name for boys in many cultures.
Benjamin
59 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Thomas
59 baby boys born in Alaska (1987) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.