California's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, California witnessed the arrival of thousands of newborns, each with a unique name. Among the most popular names for baby girls were Jennifer, Jessica, and Melissa. These names were not only trendy but also timeless, as they continue to be popular even today. Jennifer, meaning "white wave" in Welsh, was the most popular name for baby girls in California that year. Jessica, meaning "God beholds" in Hebrew, and Melissa, meaning "honeybee" in Greek, were also popular choices for parents.

For baby boys, Michael, Christopher, and David were the most popular names in California in 1981. Michael, meaning "who is like God?" in Hebrew, has been a popular name for boys for decades. Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ" in Greek, and David, meaning "beloved" in Hebrew, were also among the top choices for parents. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jennifer, Jessica, Melissa, Sarah, and Michelle. Jennifer was the most popular name with 5629 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 3746 babies. Melissa, Sarah, and Michelle were also popular names with 2845, 2835, and 2463 babies given those names, respectively.

Jennifer

5629 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Jessica

3746 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Melissa

2845 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Sarah

2835 baby girls born in California (1981) 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

2463 baby girls born in California (1981) 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
2351 baby girls born in California (1981) 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
2312 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Maria
2239 baby girls born in California (1981) 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
2114 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Christina
2080 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Stephanie
1917 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Amber
1576 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Lisa
1534 baby girls born in California (1981) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Heather
1491 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Rebecca
1463 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Amy
1460 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Tiffany
1398 baby girls born in California (1981) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Laura
1382 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.
Crystal
1372 baby girls born in California (1981) named Crystal
The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.
Kimberly
1364 baby girls born in California (1981) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1981

According to the records of the most popular baby boy names in California in 1981, Michael was the most popular name with 7151 occurrences, followed by Christopher with 5179 occurrences, David with 4937 occurrences, Daniel with 4335 occurrences, and Matthew with 3885 occurrences. These names were the top 5 most commonly given names to baby boys born in California in 1981.

Michael

7151 baby boys born in California (1981) 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

5179 baby boys born in California (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

4937 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.
Daniel

4335 baby boys born in California (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Matthew

3885 baby boys born in California (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Robert
3735 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.
Jason
3713 baby boys born in California (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Joshua
3383 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.
John
3217 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.
Jose
3199 baby boys born in California (1981) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Ryan
3173 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.
Joseph
3037 baby boys born in California (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
3017 baby boys born in California (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
2615 baby boys born in California (1981) 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
2447 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.
Anthony
2383 baby boys born in California (1981) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jonathan
2246 baby boys born in California (1981) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
Richard
2196 baby boys born in California (1981) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Eric
2117 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.
Nicholas
2054 baby boys born in California (1981) 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.