California's most popular baby names in 1985

In the year 1985, California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The state saw a trend where parents preferred to name their baby girls with names like Jessica, Jennifer, and Ashley, while for boys, Michael, Christopher, and Daniel were the top choices.

Jessica, meaning "God's grace," was the most popular name for baby girls in California in 1985. Jennifer, meaning "white wave," and Ashley, meaning "meadow of ash trees," followed closely behind. On the other hand, for baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name, followed by Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," and Daniel, meaning "God is my judge." These names not only reflect the cultural and religious diversity of California but also highlight the trends of that era.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1985

In California, 1985, the top 5 baby girl names were Jessica, Jennifer, Ashley, Amanda, and Nicole. Jessica was the most popular name with 5537 babies being given that name. Jennifer was a close second with 4966 babies named Jennifer. Ashley came in third with 3927 babies given that name, followed by Amanda with 3168 babies and Nicole with 2890 babies. These were the most popular baby girl names in California during that year.

Jessica

5537 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Jennifer

4966 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Ashley

3927 baby girls born in California (1985) 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

3168 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Nicole

2890 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Stephanie
2621 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Melissa
2500 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Elizabeth
2496 baby girls born in California (1985) 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
2453 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Sarah
2414 baby girls born in California (1985) 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
2102 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Vanessa
2096 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Heather
1880 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Megan
1866 baby girls born in California (1985) 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".
Maria
1696 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Laura
1686 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Amber
1643 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Crystal
1643 baby girls born in California (1985) 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.
Danielle
1639 baby girls born in California (1985) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Rachel
1527 baby girls born in California (1985) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1985

In 1985, the most popular baby boy names in California were Michael, Christopher, Daniel, David, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name with 7216 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 6722 babies. Daniel, David, and Matthew were also popular choices with 5458, 5254, and 4511 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time, and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Michael

7216 baby boys born in California (1985) 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

6722 baby boys born in California (1985) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Daniel

5458 baby boys born in California (1985) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
David

5254 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.
Matthew

4511 baby boys born in California (1985) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Robert
3698 baby boys born in California (1985) 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
3664 baby boys born in California (1985) 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
3575 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.
Andrew
3415 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.
James
3224 baby boys born in California (1985) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Anthony
3127 baby boys born in California (1985) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jose
3120 baby boys born in California (1985) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Joseph
3054 baby boys born in California (1985) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
3027 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.
Jonathan
2936 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.
Jason
2704 baby boys born in California (1985) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Brandon
2700 baby boys born in California (1985) 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".
Nicholas
2634 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.
Brian
2557 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.
Eric
2509 baby boys born in California (1985) 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.