California's most popular baby names in 1984

In the year 1984, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Jessica, and Ashley were the top three names that parents chose for their newborn daughters. These names were not only popular in California but also across the United States, reflecting a trend towards more modern and unique names.

On the other hand, for baby boys, Michael, Christopher, and David were the most popular names in California. These classic names have been popular for several decades and continue to remain a popular choice for parents even today. Whether it was the influence of popular culture or simply a preference for traditional names, these top baby names of 1984 in California reflect the diversity and creativity of parents in the state.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1984

In California in 1984, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Jessica, Ashley, Nicole, and Melissa. Jennifer was the most popular name with 5519 baby girls given that name, followed by Jessica with 5009, Ashley with 2967, Nicole with 2671, and Melissa with 2557. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Jennifer

5519 baby girls born in California (1984) 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

5009 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Ashley

2967 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Nicole

2671 baby girls born in California (1984) 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

2557 baby girls born in California (1984) 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
2504 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Stephanie
2457 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Amanda
2295 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Elizabeth
2293 baby girls born in California (1984) 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
2235 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Christina
2193 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Heather
2015 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Vanessa
1929 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Crystal
1840 baby girls born in California (1984) 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
1638 baby girls born in California (1984) 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.
Megan
1611 baby girls born in California (1984) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Danielle
1587 baby girls born in California (1984) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Amber
1555 baby girls born in California (1984) 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
1508 baby girls born in California (1984) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Laura
1450 baby girls born in California (1984) 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 1984

In California, 1984, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Christopher, David, Daniel, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name with 7478 babies given that name. Christopher followed closely with 6486 babies named that, and David came in third with 5115 babies given that name. Daniel and Matthew rounded out the top five with 5022 and 4676 babies named respectively.

Michael

7478 baby boys born in California (1984) 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

6486 baby boys born in California (1984) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

5115 baby boys born in California (1984) 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

5022 baby boys born in California (1984) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Matthew

4676 baby boys born in California (1984) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Robert
3523 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Joshua
3406 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Ryan
3398 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
James
3162 baby boys born in California (1984) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John
3082 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Joseph
3018 baby boys born in California (1984) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jason
2985 baby boys born in California (1984) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Jose
2908 baby boys born in California (1984) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Anthony
2846 baby boys born in California (1984) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Andrew
2735 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Brian
2717 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Jonathan
2609 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Nicholas
2452 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Justin
2374 baby boys born in California (1984) 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.
Brandon
2352 baby boys born in California (1984) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".