California's most popular baby names in 1983

In the year 1983, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Jessica, and Nicole. These names were a reflection of the pop culture of the time, with Jennifer being the name of the iconic character played by Jennifer Beals in the movie "Flashdance". Jessica, on the other hand, was inspired by the popular song "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield. Nicole was also a popular choice, perhaps due to the fame of actress Nicole Kidman.

For baby boys, the top names were Michael, Christopher, and David. These names were classics that had been popular for decades and continued to remain so in the 1980s. Michael was the most popular name for boys in California for several years in a row, while Christopher and David were close contenders. These names were chosen for their timeless appeal and strong, traditional sound.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1983

In 1983, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jennifer, Jessica, Nicole, Melissa, and Sarah. Jennifer was the most popular name with 5830 babies being named Jennifer that year, followed by Jessica with 4508 babies. Nicole, Melissa, and Sarah were also popular names, with 2646, 2622, and 2608 babies named respectively. These names were widely used and continued to be popular for several years.

Jennifer

5830 baby girls born in California (1983) 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

4508 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Nicole

2646 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Melissa

2622 baby girls born in California (1983) 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

2608 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Elizabeth
2381 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Michelle
2363 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Stephanie
2323 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Christina
2279 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Ashley
2258 baby girls born in California (1983) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Amanda
2238 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Heather
1994 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Crystal
1890 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Maria
1780 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Vanessa
1541 baby girls born in California (1983) 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
1535 baby girls born in California (1983) 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
1465 baby girls born in California (1983) 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
1444 baby girls born in California (1983) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Laura
1346 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.
Rebecca
1340 baby girls born in California (1983) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1983

In 1983, the most popular baby boy names in California were Michael, Christopher, David, Daniel, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name with 7399 babies given that name, followed by Christopher with 6351 babies, David with 5001 babies, Daniel with 4751 babies, and Matthew with 4697 babies. These names were very popular choices for parents in California at the time.

Michael

7399 baby boys born in California (1983) 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

6351 baby boys born in California (1983) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

5001 baby boys born in California (1983) 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

4751 baby boys born in California (1983) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Matthew

4697 baby boys born in California (1983) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Robert
3579 baby boys born in California (1983) 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
3371 baby boys born in California (1983) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Ryan
3350 baby boys born in California (1983) 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
3281 baby boys born in California (1983) 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.
Joseph
3097 baby boys born in California (1983) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
3066 baby boys born in California (1983) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John
3026 baby boys born in California (1983) 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
2838 baby boys born in California (1983) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Brian
2655 baby boys born in California (1983) 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.
Andrew
2599 baby boys born in California (1983) 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.
Anthony
2486 baby boys born in California (1983) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jonathan
2464 baby boys born in California (1983) 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.
Justin
2425 baby boys born in California (1983) 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
2312 baby boys born in California (1983) 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
2282 baby boys born in California (1983) 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.