California's most popular baby names in 1996

The year 1996 was a significant year for baby names in California. The state saw a rise in the popularity of traditional names and a decline in the use of unique and unconventional names. Among the top baby girl names were Jessica, Ashley, and Stephanie, while the top baby boy names were Daniel, Jose, and Michael.

Jessica, which means "God beholds" in Hebrew, was the most popular baby girl name in California in 1996. Ashley, which means "ash tree meadow" in English, came in second place, followed by Stephanie, which means "crown" in Greek. On the other hand, Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew, was the most popular baby boy name in California in 1996. Jose, which means "God will increase" in Spanish, came in second place, followed by Michael, which means "who is like God" in Hebrew. These names were a reflection of the cultural diversity and religious affiliations of the state's population at that time.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1996

In 1996, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jessica, Ashley, Stephanie, Jennifer, and Emily. Jessica was the most popular name with 3839 babies given that name, followed by Ashley with 2697 babies. Stephanie, Jennifer, and Emily rounded out the top five with 2639, 2529, and 2473 babies given those names, respectively.

Jessica

3839 baby girls born in California (1996) 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

2697 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Stephanie

2639 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Jennifer

2529 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Emily

2473 baby girls born in California (1996) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Samantha
2469 baby girls born in California (1996) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Sarah
2284 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Vanessa
2164 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Elizabeth
2161 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Maria
2145 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Alexis
1887 baby girls born in California (1996) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Jasmine
1782 baby girls born in California (1996) named Jasmine
The name Jasmine is of Persian origin and means "gift from God" or "God's gracious gift". It is also the name of a fragrant flower.
Kimberly
1746 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Melissa
1731 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Amanda
1650 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Alyssa
1552 baby girls born in California (1996) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Michelle
1511 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Hannah
1494 baby girls born in California (1996) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Rachel
1453 baby girls born in California (1996) 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.
Taylor
1420 baby girls born in California (1996) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1996

In California, 1996, the most popular baby boy names were Daniel, Jose, Michael, David, and Christopher. Daniel was the most popular name with 4705 babies being named that, followed closely by Jose with 4645 babies. Michael, David, and Christopher were also popular choices with 4353, 4001, and 3945 babies being named those names respectively.

Daniel

4705 baby boys born in California (1996) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jose

4645 baby boys born in California (1996) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Michael

4353 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.
David

4001 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.
Christopher

3945 baby boys born in California (1996) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Anthony
3897 baby boys born in California (1996) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Andrew
3580 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.
Joshua
3372 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.
Matthew
3370 baby boys born in California (1996) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jonathan
3367 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.
Joseph
3047 baby boys born in California (1996) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Christian
2998 baby boys born in California (1996) named Christian
Christian is a name that has roots in the Latin word "Christianus" which means "follower of Christ". It is a name that is commonly used in Christian cultures and is often given to boys. The name Christian is associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and faithfulness. It is a popular name in many countries around the world.
Jacob
2987 baby boys born in California (1996) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Nicholas
2863 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.
Brandon
2841 baby boys born in California (1996) 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".
Kevin
2831 baby boys born in California (1996) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Juan
2567 baby boys born in California (1996) named Juan
The name Juan is a Spanish variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Ryan
2469 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.
Alexander
2292 baby boys born in California (1996) named Alexander
The name Alexander means "defender of the people" or "protector of mankind". It is of Greek origin and is a popular name for boys.
Justin
2289 baby boys born in California (1996) 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.