California's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jessica, Ashley, and Jennifer were the top three most popular names. These names were chosen by parents for their daughters due to their beautiful sound and meaning. Jessica, meaning "God beholds," has been a favorite among parents for years. Ashley, meaning "from the ash tree meadow," has a timeless quality that has kept it popular for decades. Jennifer, meaning "fair one," has been a popular choice since the 1970s and continued to be a favorite in the 1980s.

For baby boys, Michael, Christopher, and Daniel were the most popular names in California in 1986. Michael, meaning "who is like God," has been a favorite among parents for years due to its strong and timeless quality. Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," has a classic and traditional feel that has kept it popular for decades. Daniel, meaning "God is my judge," has been a popular choice for parents since the 1970s and continued to be a favorite in the 1980s. These names were chosen by parents for their sons due to their strong and meaningful sound.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jessica, Ashley, Jennifer, Amanda, and Sarah. Jessica was the most popular name with 5964 babies given that name, followed by Ashley with 4414 babies, and Jennifer with 4306 babies. Amanda and Sarah were also popular names with 3494 and 3035 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Jessica

5964 baby girls born in California (1986) 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

4414 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Jennifer

4306 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Amanda

3494 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Sarah

3035 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Nicole
2726 baby girls born in California (1986) 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
2706 baby girls born in California (1986) 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
2424 baby girls born in California (1986) 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
2385 baby girls born in California (1986) 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
2278 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Vanessa
2081 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Michelle
1988 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Heather
1782 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Brittany
1767 baby girls born in California (1986) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Lauren
1721 baby girls born in California (1986) named Lauren
The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.
Maria
1680 baby girls born in California (1986) 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
1663 baby girls born in California (1986) 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".
Amber
1659 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.
Danielle
1634 baby girls born in California (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Crystal
1604 baby girls born in California (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1986

In California, 1986, Michael was the most popular baby boy name with 7261 babies given the name. Christopher came in second with 6453 babies given the name, followed by Daniel with 5435 babies named, David with 5298 babies named, and Matthew with 4699 babies named. These were the top 5 most popular baby boy names in California in 1986.

Michael

7261 baby boys born in California (1986) 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

6453 baby boys born in California (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Daniel

5435 baby boys born in California (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
David

5298 baby boys born in California (1986) 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

4699 baby boys born in California (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Andrew
3943 baby boys born in California (1986) 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.
Robert
3729 baby boys born in California (1986) 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.
Ryan
3508 baby boys born in California (1986) 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
3417 baby boys born in California (1986) 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.
Anthony
3114 baby boys born in California (1986) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jose
3072 baby boys born in California (1986) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
James
3042 baby boys born in California (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph
3013 baby boys born in California (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jonathan
2956 baby boys born in California (1986) 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.
John
2849 baby boys born in California (1986) 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.
Nicholas
2654 baby boys born in California (1986) 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.
Jason
2609 baby boys born in California (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Brandon
2522 baby boys born in California (1986) 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".
Eric
2457 baby boys born in California (1986) 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.
Steven
2422 baby boys born in California (1986) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.