Arizona's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Arizona saw a surge in popular baby names, with Jessica, Ashley, and Amanda taking the lead for baby girls, and Michael, Christopher, and Matthew being the top picks for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Arizona, but across the United States as well.

Jessica, which means "God beholds" in Hebrew, was the most popular name for baby girls in Arizona that year. Ashley, which means "ash tree meadow," followed close behind, with Amanda, which means "worthy of love," taking the third spot. For baby boys, Michael, which means "who is like God," was the most popular name, followed by Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ," and Matthew, which means "gift of God." These names continue to remain popular even today, with many parents still choosing them for their newborns.

Most popular baby girl names in Arizona in 1986

According to the data from 1986, the most popular baby girl names in Arizona were Jessica, Ashley, Amanda, Jennifer, and Sarah. Jessica was the most popular name with 738 occurrences, followed by Ashley with 663 occurrences, Amanda with 585 occurrences, Jennifer with 517 occurrences, and Sarah with 424 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as traditional and family naming practices.

Jessica

738 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Ashley

663 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Amanda

585 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Jennifer

517 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Sarah

424 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Stephanie
421 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Nicole
367 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) 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.
Melissa
332 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Brittany
309 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Heather
298 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Amber
297 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Danielle
266 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Vanessa
262 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) named Vanessa
The name Vanessa is of English origin and its meaning is "butterfly". It was first used as a name in the 18th century by the Anglo-Irish writer Jonathan Swift, who used it as a pseudonym for his friend Esther Vanhomrigh. The name became popular in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Elizabeth
258 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Megan
257 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) 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".
Michelle
252 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) 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
251 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Christina
245 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) named Christina
The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Rachel
227 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Samantha
216 baby girls born in Arizona (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.

Most popular baby boy names in Arizona in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby boy name in Arizona was Michael, with a total of 997 babies given that name. Christopher came in second place with 875 babies named, followed by Matthew with 695 babies given that name. Daniel was the fourth most popular name with 638 babies named, and David rounded out the top five with 568 babies given that name. These five names were the most commonly chosen by parents for their baby boys in Arizona during that year.

Michael

997 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Christopher

875 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew

695 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel

638 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
David

568 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Joshua
552 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Ryan
508 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) 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.
James
489 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
468 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Andrew
458 baby boys born in Arizona (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 "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.
Joseph
429 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brandon
416 baby boys born in Arizona (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".
Nicholas
401 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) 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.
Justin
383 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Anthony
346 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
John
343 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Kyle
332 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) 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.
Steven
305 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Eric
305 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Jacob
281 baby boys born in Arizona (1986) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.