California's most popular baby names in 1978

In the year 1978, California saw a surge of popular baby names that have stood the test of time. For baby girls, Jennifer reigned supreme as the most popular name, followed closely by Melissa and Jessica. These names were inspired by popular culture and celebrities of the time, such as actress Jennifer O'Neill and singer Melissa Manchester.

For baby boys, Michael took the top spot as the most popular name, with David and Jason following closely behind. These names were likely influenced by pop culture icons like Michael Jackson and David Bowie, as well as the popular horror movie "Friday the 13th," which featured a character named Jason. These timeless names continue to remain popular choices for parents in California and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1978

In 1978, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jennifer, Melissa, Jessica, Michelle, and Sarah. Jennifer was the most popular name with 5295 babies given that name, followed by Melissa with 2449, Jessica with 2418, Michelle with 2308, and Sarah with 2140. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time, as well as family traditions and personal preferences.

Jennifer

5295 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Melissa

2449 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Jessica

2418 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Michelle

2308 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Sarah

2140 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Christina
2020 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Nicole
1936 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Maria
1912 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Elizabeth
1794 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Heather
1750 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Lisa
1747 baby girls born in California (1978) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Angela
1434 baby girls born in California (1978) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Amy
1398 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Stephanie
1383 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Kimberly
1300 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Kelly
1258 baby girls born in California (1978) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Rebecca
1218 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Veronica
1203 baby girls born in California (1978) named Veronica
The name Veronica is of Latin origin and its meaning is "true image" or "she who brings victory". It is derived from the name Berenice, which means "bearer of victory". In Christian tradition, Veronica is the name of the woman who wiped the face of Jesus on his way to crucifixion and his image was miraculously imprinted on her veil.
Amanda
1188 baby girls born in California (1978) 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.
Monica
1124 baby girls born in California (1978) named Monica
The name Monica is of Latin origin and means "advisor" or "counselor".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1978

In California, 1978, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, David, Jason, Christopher, and Daniel. Michael was the most popular name with 6,491 babies given that name. David came in second with 4,581 babies, followed by Jason with 4,304 babies. Christopher was the fourth most popular name with 4,064 babies and Daniel rounded out the top five with 3,432 babies given that name.

Michael

6491 baby boys born in California (1978) 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.
David

4581 baby boys born in California (1978) 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.
Jason

4304 baby boys born in California (1978) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

4064 baby boys born in California (1978) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Daniel

3432 baby boys born in California (1978) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
3310 baby boys born in California (1978) 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.
James
3062 baby boys born in California (1978) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Matthew
3034 baby boys born in California (1978) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
John
2926 baby boys born in California (1978) 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.
Brian
2767 baby boys born in California (1978) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Joshua
2548 baby boys born in California (1978) 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.
Jose
2511 baby boys born in California (1978) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Joseph
2458 baby boys born in California (1978) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Ryan
2448 baby boys born in California (1978) 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
2038 baby boys born in California (1978) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Eric
1957 baby boys born in California (1978) 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.
Richard
1933 baby boys born in California (1978) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
1874 baby boys born in California (1978) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Nicholas
1764 baby boys born in California (1978) 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.
Kevin
1695 baby boys born in California (1978) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".