California's most popular baby names in 1979

In the year 1979, California saw a surge of popular baby names for both boys and girls. The most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Melissa, and Jessica, while the top baby boy names were Michael, David, and Christopher.

Jennifer, which means "white wave" in Welsh, was the most popular name for baby girls in California that year. Melissa, which means "bee" in Greek, and Jessica, which means "God beholds" in Hebrew, followed closely behind. For baby boys, Michael, which means "who is like God" in Hebrew, was the most popular name, followed by David, which means "beloved" in Hebrew, and Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ" in Greek. These names continue to be popular today, showing the enduring appeal of classic names with strong meanings.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1979

In 1979, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jennifer, Melissa, Jessica, Michelle, and Nicole. Jennifer was the most popular name with 5462 babies given that name. Melissa followed with 3006 babies, Jessica with 2542 babies, Michelle with 2429 babies, and Nicole with 2212 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in California during that year.

Jennifer

5462 baby girls born in California (1979) 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

3006 baby girls born in California (1979) 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

2542 baby girls born in California (1979) 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

2429 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Nicole

2212 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Sarah
2117 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Maria
2030 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Christina
2008 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Elizabeth
1927 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Lisa
1750 baby girls born in California (1979) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Heather
1614 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Amanda
1611 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Angela
1500 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Stephanie
1391 baby girls born in California (1979) 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
1378 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Amy
1374 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Amber
1361 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Monica
1236 baby girls born in California (1979) named Monica
The name Monica is of Latin origin and means "advisor" or "counselor".
Rebecca
1233 baby girls born in California (1979) 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.
Laura
1218 baby girls born in California (1979) named Laura
The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1979

In 1979, Michael was the most popular baby boy name in California, with 6587 babies given that name. David was the second most popular name, with 4876 babies named David. Christopher was the third most popular name, given to 4718 babies. Jason was the fourth most popular name, with 4065 babies named Jason, and Daniel rounded out the top five with 3551 babies given that name.

Michael

6587 baby boys born in California (1979) 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

4876 baby boys born in California (1979) 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.
Christopher

4718 baby boys born in California (1979) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Jason

4065 baby boys born in California (1979) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Daniel

3551 baby boys born in California (1979) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
3458 baby boys born in California (1979) 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.
John
3020 baby boys born in California (1979) 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.
Matthew
3010 baby boys born in California (1979) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
James
2978 baby boys born in California (1979) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Ryan
2898 baby boys born in California (1979) 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
2895 baby boys born in California (1979) 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
2680 baby boys born in California (1979) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Brian
2663 baby boys born in California (1979) 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.
Joseph
2618 baby boys born in California (1979) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Nicholas
2081 baby boys born in California (1979) 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.
Eric
2080 baby boys born in California (1979) 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.
Anthony
2075 baby boys born in California (1979) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Richard
2058 baby boys born in California (1979) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
1838 baby boys born in California (1979) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
William
1698 baby boys born in California (1979) 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.