California's most popular baby names in 1982

In the year 1982, California saw a surge in popular baby names, with some names emerging as clear favorites for parents. Jennifer, Jessica, and Sarah were the top three baby girl names, with each name holding a special significance for parents. Jennifer, meaning "white wave," has been a popular name for decades, while Jessica, meaning "God beholds," gained popularity after the Shakespearean play, "The Merchant of Venice." Sarah, meaning "princess," also held a special significance for parents, with its biblical roots and timeless appeal.

For baby boys, Michael, Christopher, and David were the most popular names in California. Michael, meaning "who is like God," has been a popular name for centuries, while Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," gained popularity in the 20th century. David, meaning "beloved," also held a special significance for parents, with its biblical roots and classic appeal. Overall, these names represented a diverse range of meanings and cultural significance, reflecting the unique and vibrant spirit of California in the 1980s.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1982

In 1982, the top five most popular baby girl names in California were Jennifer, Jessica, Sarah, Melissa, and Michelle. Jennifer was the most popular name with 5,813 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 4,252 babies. Sarah, Melissa, and Michelle were also popular choices, with 2,791, 2,733, and 2,464 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Jennifer

5813 baby girls born in California (1982) 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

4252 baby girls born in California (1982) 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

2791 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Melissa

2733 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Michelle

2464 baby girls born in California (1982) 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
2406 baby girls born in California (1982) 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 (1982) 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.
Amanda
2236 baby girls born in California (1982) 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
2146 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Maria
2094 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Stephanie
1982 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Crystal
1862 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Vanessa
1755 baby girls born in California (1982) named Vanessa
The name Vanessa is of English origin and its meaning is "butterfly". It was first used as a name in the 18th century by the Anglo-Irish writer Jonathan Swift, who used it as a pseudonym for his friend Esther Vanhomrigh. The name became popular in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Amber
1612 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Tiffany
1554 baby girls born in California (1982) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Heather
1531 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Amy
1413 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Kimberly
1388 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Rebecca
1374 baby girls born in California (1982) 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.
Lisa
1337 baby girls born in California (1982) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1982

In 1982, the most popular baby boy names in California were Michael, Christopher, David, Daniel, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name with 7160 babies given that name, followed by Christopher with 6066 babies. David, Daniel, and Matthew were also popular names with 5128, 4597, and 4133 babies given those names, respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for parents naming their baby boys.

Michael

7160 baby boys born in California (1982) 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

6066 baby boys born in California (1982) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

5128 baby boys born in California (1982) 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

4597 baby boys born in California (1982) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Matthew

4133 baby boys born in California (1982) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Robert
3658 baby boys born in California (1982) 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
3600 baby boys born in California (1982) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Joshua
3227 baby boys born in California (1982) 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
3207 baby boys born in California (1982) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John
3132 baby boys born in California (1982) 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
3109 baby boys born in California (1982) 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
3098 baby boys born in California (1982) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Joseph
3058 baby boys born in California (1982) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brian
2702 baby boys born in California (1982) 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
2582 baby boys born in California (1982) 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
2492 baby boys born in California (1982) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jonathan
2487 baby boys born in California (1982) 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.
Andrew
2333 baby boys born in California (1982) 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.
Richard
2235 baby boys born in California (1982) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Nicholas
2226 baby boys born in California (1982) 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.