Illinois's most popular baby names in 1974

In the year 1974, the state of Illinois witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jennifer, Amy, and Michelle emerged as the top baby girl names, while Michael, Jason, and Christopher were the most popular baby boy names. These names were chosen by parents across the state as they sought to give their children strong and timeless monikers that would stand the test of time.

Jennifer, Amy, and Michelle were chosen for their beauty and elegance, while Michael, Jason, and Christopher were chosen for their strength and masculinity. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be favored by parents today. If you're looking for a classic name for your baby, these names are a great choice!

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1974

In Illinois in 1974, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 3574 babies given that name. Following Jennifer were Amy, with 1693 babies named, Michelle with 1531 babies, Kimberly with 1288 babies, and Heather with 1130 babies. These five names were the most common choices for parents of baby girls in Illinois that year.

Jennifer

3574 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Amy

1693 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Michelle

1531 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Kimberly

1288 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Heather

1130 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Angela
1116 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Lisa
1072 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Melissa
992 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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
843 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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
789 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Julie
787 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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".
Stephanie
675 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Elizabeth
666 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Mary
629 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Laura
627 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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
622 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Dawn
611 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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".
Sarah
585 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Kelly
581 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Tracy
555 baby girls born in Illinois (1974) 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 1974

In 1974, the most popular baby boy name in Illinois was Michael, with 3602 babies given that name. Jason came in second with 2636 babies, followed closely by Christopher with 2404 babies. David and James rounded out the top five with 2185 and 2174 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

3602 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Jason

2636 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

2404 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

2185 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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

2174 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
2049 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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
1927 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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
1848 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Matthew
1554 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel
1409 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
William
1313 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Joseph
1193 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Mark
1185 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Eric
1161 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Jeffrey
1076 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Scott
1034 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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
1001 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Thomas
986 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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.
Kevin
985 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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".
Timothy
982 baby boys born in Illinois (1974) 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.