Arizona's most popular baby names in 1996

In the year 1996, the state of Arizona saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Jessica, Ashley, and Samantha, while the top baby boy names were Michael, Jacob, and Daniel. These names were chosen by thousands of parents across the state, reflecting the cultural and societal trends of the time.

The name Jessica, meaning "God beholds," was the most popular baby girl name in Arizona in 1996. Ashley, meaning "ash tree meadow," and Samantha, meaning "listener," followed closely behind. For baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name, followed by Jacob, meaning "supplanter," and Daniel, meaning "God is my judge." These names remain popular to this day, but in 1996 they represented a unique snapshot of the state's naming preferences.

Most popular baby girl names in Arizona in 1996

Based on the data from 1996, the most popular baby girl names in Arizona were Jessica, Ashley, Samantha, Alexis, and Taylor. Jessica was the most popular name with 446 babies given that name, followed closely by Ashley with 388 babies. Samantha, Alexis, and Taylor were also very popular names with 367, 359, and 324 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely chosen by parents based on their personal preferences, cultural and family traditions, and popular trends at the time.

Jessica

446 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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

388 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Samantha

367 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Alexis

359 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Taylor

324 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Emily
323 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Sarah
313 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Alyssa
277 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Madison
274 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Hannah
274 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Elizabeth
257 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Stephanie
256 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Maria
251 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Maria
Maria is a name of Latin origin, derived from the name Mariam or Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "sorrow". It is a common name in many cultures and is often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity.
Amanda
243 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Kayla
239 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Brianna
237 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Brianna
The name Brianna is of Irish origin and is a variant of the name Brian. It is derived from the Gaelic word "brígh" which means "strength" or "virtue". Therefore, the name Brianna can be interpreted to mean "strong" or "virtuous".
Megan
230 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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".
Victoria
227 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) named Victoria
Victoria means "victory" or "conqueror" in Latin. It is a feminine name that has been used since ancient times and is associated with strength, power, and success.
Jennifer
224 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Nicole
210 baby girls born in Arizona (1996) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Arizona in 1996

Based on data from 1996, the most popular baby boy names in Arizona were Michael, Jacob, Daniel, Jose, and Tyler. Michael was the most popular name with 694 babies given that name, followed closely by Jacob with 612 babies. Daniel came in third with 593 babies, while Jose and Tyler rounded out the top five with 537 and 532 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and regional preferences during that time period.

Michael

694 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Jacob

612 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Daniel

593 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jose

537 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Tyler

532 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Joshua
490 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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
481 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher
472 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Anthony
462 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Nicholas
449 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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.
David
448 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Austin
433 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
Joseph
430 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brandon
415 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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".
Andrew
409 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Jesus
386 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Jesus
The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, which means "salvation" or "the Lord saves." It is a common name among Christians, as it is the name of the central figure in Christianity, Jesus Christ.
Zachary
360 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Ryan
359 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) 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.
Christian
347 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Christian
Christian is a name that has roots in the Latin word "Christianus" which means "follower of Christ". It is a name that is commonly used in Christian cultures and is often given to boys. The name Christian is associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and faithfulness. It is a popular name in many countries around the world.
Alexander
310 baby boys born in Arizona (1996) named Alexander
The name Alexander means "defender of the people" or "protector of mankind". It is of Greek origin and is a popular name for boys.