California's most popular baby names in 1980

In the year 1980, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Melissa, and Jessica were the top three names that dominated the charts. These names were inspired by popular culture and media, with Jennifer being popularized by the hit TV show "Fame," Melissa by the character in the popular book "Little Women," and Jessica by the Shakespearean play "The Merchant of Venice."

For baby boys, Michael, David, and Christopher were the most popular names in California in 1980. These names have a timeless quality to them and have remained popular for decades. Michael, in particular, has been a top name for boys for many years, with its roots in the biblical name of the archangel. David and Christopher are also classic names that have been popular for generations. Overall, the top baby names in California in 1980 reflect a mix of traditional and modern influences.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1980

In California in 1980, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with a total of 5612 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were Melissa (2985), Jessica (2928), Sarah (2578), and Michelle (2432). These names were all very popular choices for parents in California during that year.

Jennifer

5612 baby girls born in California (1980) 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

2985 baby girls born in California (1980) 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

2928 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Sarah

2578 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Michelle

2432 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Maria
2246 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Nicole
2239 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Elizabeth
2214 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Christina
2090 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Amanda
1878 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Stephanie
1617 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Lisa
1615 baby girls born in California (1980) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Heather
1583 baby girls born in California (1980) 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
1493 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Kimberly
1464 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Tiffany
1402 baby girls born in California (1980) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Veronica
1397 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Rebecca
1367 baby girls born in California (1980) 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
1348 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.
Angela
1338 baby girls born in California (1980) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1980

In California, 1980, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, David, Christopher, Daniel, and Jason. Michael was the most popular name with 6909 babies being named Michael that year. David was the second most popular name with 5083 babies being named David. Christopher, Daniel, and Jason were the third, fourth, and fifth most popular names respectively, with 4782, 4149, and 4105 babies being named those names.

Michael

6909 baby boys born in California (1980) 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

5083 baby boys born in California (1980) 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

4782 baby boys born in California (1980) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Daniel

4149 baby boys born in California (1980) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jason

4105 baby boys born in California (1980) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Robert
3479 baby boys born in California (1980) 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.
Matthew
3379 baby boys born in California (1980) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua
3138 baby boys born in California (1980) 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.
James
3024 baby boys born in California (1980) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John
3023 baby boys born in California (1980) 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.
Ryan
2990 baby boys born in California (1980) 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.
Jose
2973 baby boys born in California (1980) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Joseph
2826 baby boys born in California (1980) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brian
2724 baby boys born in California (1980) 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.
Justin
2396 baby boys born in California (1980) 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.
Eric
2315 baby boys born in California (1980) 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
2105 baby boys born in California (1980) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Anthony
2099 baby boys born in California (1980) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Nicholas
2089 baby boys born in California (1980) 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.
Steven
1872 baby boys born in California (1980) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.