Illinois's most popular baby names in 1973

In the year 1973, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jennifer, Michelle, and Amy were the top three names for baby girls, with Jennifer taking the lead. These names were favored by parents who wanted something classic and timeless, yet still modern and fresh.

For baby boys, Michael, Christopher, and James were the most popular names in Illinois in 1973. These names were chosen by parents who wanted strong and traditional names for their sons. Michael was the most popular name for boys, a name that has remained a favorite for many generations. The names chosen by parents in Illinois in 1973 reflect a desire for classic, yet modern names that would stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1973

In 1973, the most popular baby girl name in Illinois was Jennifer, with 3503 babies given this name. Michelle was the second most popular name, with 1628 babies named Michelle. Amy was the third most popular name, with 1443 babies given this name. Kimberly was the fourth most popular name, with 1367 babies named Kimberly. Lisa rounded out the top five most popular baby girl names in 1973 in Illinois, with 1217 babies given this name.

Jennifer

3503 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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

1628 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Amy

1443 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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

1367 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Lisa

1217 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Angela
1045 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Melissa
936 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Heather
928 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Julie
885 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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".
Nicole
807 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Rebecca
737 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Laura
697 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Elizabeth
691 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Stephanie
686 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Christine
645 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Mary
637 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Dawn
632 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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".
Kelly
597 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Christina
577 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Tracy
562 baby girls born in Illinois (1973) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1973

In 1973, Michael was the most popular baby boy name in Illinois with 3849 babies given that name. Christopher came in second with 2248 babies, followed closely by James with 2247 babies. Jason was the fourth most popular name with 2239 babies, and Brian rounded out the top five with 2164 babies named that.

Michael

3849 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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

2248 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
James

2247 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jason

2239 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Brian

2164 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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.
David
2083 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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.
John
2025 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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
2024 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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
1476 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Matthew
1394 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
William
1334 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Eric
1209 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Joseph
1169 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Mark
1167 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Jeffrey
1112 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Scott
1053 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Steven
1019 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Thomas
1015 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) 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.
Anthony
1008 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Timothy
1008 baby boys born in Illinois (1973) named Timothy
The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.