Arizona's most popular baby names in 1991

In the year 1991, the state of Arizona saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among baby girls, Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda were the most popular names, while Michael, Christopher, and Joshua topped the charts for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents across the state, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time.

The popularity of these names can be attributed to a variety of factors, including their association with popular culture and their timeless appeal. Whether inspired by favorite celebrities, family traditions, or personal preferences, these names continue to be popular choices for parents today. As a historian and expert on names, I can attest to the enduring influence of these classic baby names in the state of Arizona and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Arizona in 1991

In 1991, the state of Arizona had a diverse range of popular baby girl names. The most popular name was Ashley, which was given to 665 baby girls. Close behind was Jessica, with 664 instances. Amanda was the third most popular name, with 440 instances, followed by Samantha with 419 instances. Sarah rounded out the top five with 391 instances. These names reflect the trends of the time and the preferences of parents in Arizona during that year.

Ashley

665 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Jessica

664 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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

440 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Samantha

419 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Sarah

391 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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
391 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Brittany
379 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Elizabeth
290 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Jennifer
281 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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
272 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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".
Nicole
271 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Amber
258 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Melissa
257 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Danielle
248 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Alyssa
231 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Kayla
231 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Lauren
222 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Rebecca
206 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Michelle
200 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Rachel
199 baby girls born in Arizona (1991) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Arizona in 1991

According to data from 1991, the most popular baby boy names in Arizona were Michael, Christopher, Joshua, Matthew, and Daniel. Michael was the most popular name with 894 babies given that name, followed by Christopher with 758 babies, Joshua with 610 babies, Matthew with 592 babies, and Daniel with 551 babies. These names reflect a strong preference for traditional, biblical names that have been popular for generations.

Michael

894 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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

758 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

610 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Matthew

592 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel

551 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
David
521 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Andrew
460 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Ryan
450 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Anthony
436 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Joseph
427 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jacob
408 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Kyle
408 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Nicholas
407 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Robert
406 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
Tyler
383 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Justin
382 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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.
James
378 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Zachary
373 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Brandon
372 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) 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".
Jose
364 baby boys born in Arizona (1991) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".