Florida's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Florida saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jessica, Ashley and Amanda were the top three most popular names for baby girls, while Michael, Christopher and Matthew dominated the list of top baby boy names.

Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God beholds" was a popular choice for parents in Florida. Ashley, a name of English origin, meaning "ash tree meadow" was another favorite among parents, as was Amanda, a name of Latin origin, meaning "lovable". On the boys' side, Michael, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "who is like God", was the most popular name in Florida in 1986. Christopher, a name of Greek origin, meaning "bearer of Christ", and Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift of God", followed closely behind. These names were not only popular in Florida, but across the United States, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Florida in 1986

In Florida in 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Jessica, Ashley, Amanda, Jennifer, and Brittany. Jessica was the most popular name with 2566 babies given that name, followed by Ashley with 2301 babies, Amanda with 1796 babies, Jennifer with 1741 babies, and Brittany with 1122 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

  1. Jessica

    2566 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  2. Ashley

    2301 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  3. Amanda

    1796 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  4. Jennifer

    1741 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  5. Brittany

    1122 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  6. Sarah

    1071 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  7. Stephanie

    1024 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  8. Heather

    987 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  9. Nicole

    898 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  10. Tiffany

    866 baby girls born in Florida (1986) named Tiffany

    The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".

  11. Melissa

    831 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  12. Amber

    788 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  13. Danielle

    786 baby girls born in Florida (1986) named Danielle

    The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".

  14. Christina

    782 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  15. Lauren

    735 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  16. Megan

    676 baby girls born in Florida (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".

  17. Elizabeth

    676 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  18. Samantha

    655 baby girls born in Florida (1986) named Samantha

    The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.

  19. Crystal

    645 baby girls born in Florida (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.

  20. Kimberly

    630 baby girls born in Florida (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Florida in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby boy names in Florida were Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Joshua, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 3079 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 2899 babies. Matthew, Joshua, and David rounded out the top five with 1862, 1697, and 1679 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Michael

    3079 baby boys born in Florida (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.

  2. Christopher

    2899 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  3. Matthew

    1862 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  4. Joshua

    1697 baby boys born in Florida (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.

  5. David

    1679 baby boys born in Florida (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.

  6. James

    1674 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  7. Robert

    1616 baby boys born in Florida (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.

  8. Daniel

    1549 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  9. John

    1416 baby boys born in Florida (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.

  10. Joseph

    1262 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  11. William

    1249 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named William

    The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.

  12. Justin

    1230 baby boys born in Florida (1986) 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.

  13. Ryan

    1211 baby boys born in Florida (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.

  14. Andrew

    1183 baby boys born in Florida (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 "andrĂ³s" 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.

  15. Brandon

    1105 baby boys born in Florida (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".

  16. Jonathan

    1077 baby boys born in Florida (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.

  17. Anthony

    987 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named Anthony

    The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".

  18. Jason

    976 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  19. Brian

    864 baby boys born in Florida (1986) 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.

  20. Steven

    851 baby boys born in Florida (1986) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.