Idaho's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, Idaho saw a surge in popular baby names, with Jennifer, Jessica, and Sarah leading the pack for baby girls, while Joshua, Michael, and David were the most popular names for baby boys. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents in Idaho and across the United States.

Jennifer, meaning "white wave," has been a popular name since the 1970s and remains a classic choice for baby girls. Jessica, meaning "God beholds," also gained popularity in the 1970s and was made even more popular by the famous literary character Jessica Rabbit. Sarah, meaning "princess," is a timeless name that has been popular for centuries. Joshua, meaning "God is salvation," has been a popular choice for baby boys since the 1980s. Michael, meaning "who is like God," has been a top name for baby boys for decades, while David, meaning "beloved," is a classic name that has been popular for centuries.

Most popular baby girl names in Idaho in 1981

In Idaho in 1981, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Jessica, Sarah, Amanda, and Melissa. Jennifer was the most popular name with 281 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 198 babies and Sarah with 194 babies. Amanda and Melissa rounded out the top five with 182 and 156 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Jennifer

281 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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

198 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Sarah

194 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Amanda

182 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Melissa

156 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Amber
150 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Heather
112 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Stephanie
109 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Rebecca
106 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Amy
106 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Nicole
98 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Katie
89 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) named Katie
The name Katie is a diminutive form of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of the name is unclear, but it is thought to possibly mean "pure" or "clear". It has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Emily
88 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Angela
86 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Michelle
81 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Tiffany
78 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Christina
77 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Crystal
77 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Sara
75 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Jamie
74 baby girls born in Idaho (1981) named Jamie
The name Jamie is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to be a diminutive form of James or Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel".

Most popular baby boy names in Idaho in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby boy names in Idaho were Joshua, Michael, David, Matthew, and Jason. Joshua was the most popular name with 290 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 275 babies. David, Matthew, and Jason rounded out the top five with 207, 205, and 201 babies given those names, respectively.

Joshua

290 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Michael

275 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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

207 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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

205 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jason

201 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher
196 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ryan
195 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Justin
163 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.
James
154 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
146 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Daniel
144 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
John
138 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Benjamin
135 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Brandon
130 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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".
Joseph
128 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brian
126 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Adam
123 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Adam
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.
Jeremy
120 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Andrew
118 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.
Jacob
115 baby boys born in Idaho (1981) 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.