Illinois's most popular baby names in 1972

In the year 1972, the state of Illinois witnessed a surge of new parents naming their newborns after some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Jennifer was the most popular name, followed closely by Michelle and Lisa. These names were all the rage in the 70s and were often inspired by popular culture icons and celebrities.

For baby boys, Michael was the most popular name in Illinois in 1972. It was followed by Christopher and David, both classic names that have stood the test of time. These names were often chosen for their strong and timeless appeal, making them a popular choice for parents looking for a name that would last a lifetime. Overall, the baby names of 1972 in Illinois were a reflection of the cultural and social influences of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1972

In 1972, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Jennifer, Michelle, Lisa, Amy, and Kimberly. Jennifer was the most common name, with 3700 babies given the name. Michelle came in second with 1737 babies named, followed by Lisa with 1548 babies named. Amy and Kimberly rounded out the top five with 1507 and 1454 babies named, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Jennifer

3700 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Michelle

1737 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Lisa

1548 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Amy

1507 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Kimberly

1454 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Angela
1201 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Julie
993 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".
Melissa
984 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Nicole
955 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Laura
832 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Christine
779 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Dawn
749 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Dawn
The name Dawn means "the first appearance of light, daybreak" and is often given to girls born at or around sunrise. It is derived from the Old English word "dagian" which means "to become day".
Heather
739 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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
710 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Tracy
709 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Tracy
The name Tracy is of Irish origin and means "warrior" or "fighter". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Mary
692 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Elizabeth
660 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Rebecca
654 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Susan
620 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Tammy
618 baby girls born in Illinois (1972) named Tammy
The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1972

According to records from 1972, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Christopher, David, James, and Brian. Michael was the most popular name with 4052 babies given the name, followed by Christopher with 2444 babies, David with 2443 babies, James with 2404 babies, and Brian with 2248 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time, but they continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Michael

4052 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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

2444 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

2443 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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.
James

2404 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian

2248 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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.
John
2237 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Robert
2147 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Jason
1935 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Daniel
1453 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
William
1430 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Matthew
1354 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Eric
1327 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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.
Scott
1313 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Scott
The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Mark
1310 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Joseph
1240 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kevin
1200 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) 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".
Jeffrey
1197 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Steven
1165 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Thomas
1160 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Richard
1150 baby boys born in Illinois (1972) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".