Names of US

Illinois's most popular baby names in 1976

In the year 1976, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Amy, and Michelle were the top three most popular names. These names were not only beautiful but also had a timeless charm that appealed to parents across the state.

For baby boys, Michael, Jason, and Christopher were the most popular names of the year. These names were strong and classic, with a sense of tradition that many parents found appealing. Whether it was the popularity of certain celebrities or the simple beauty of the names themselves, these names were chosen by many loving parents who wanted to give their children the best start in life.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1976

In 1976, the five most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Jennifer, Amy, Michelle, Melissa, and Heather. Jennifer was the most popular name with 3227 babies given that name, followed by Amy with 1681, Michelle with 1201, Melissa with 1155, and Heather with 1140. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and cultural significance during that time period.

  1. Jennifer

    3227 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  2. Amy

    1681 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  3. Michelle

    1201 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  4. Melissa

    1155 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  5. Heather

    1140 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  6. Angela

    1082 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  7. Kimberly

    1048 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  8. Lisa

    979 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  9. Nicole

    966 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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. Elizabeth

    843 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  11. Sarah

    777 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  12. Rebecca

    764 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  13. Amanda

    758 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  14. Jessica

    725 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  15. Jamie

    704 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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".

  16. Laura

    698 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  17. Julie

    696 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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".

  18. Kelly

    664 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  19. Christina

    657 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  20. Stephanie

    645 baby girls born in Illinois (1976) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1976

In 1976, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Jason, Christopher, David, and Brian. Michael was the most popular name with 3680 babies given that name. Jason followed in second place with 2717 babies named Jason. Christopher was the third most popular name with 2008 babies named Christopher. David and Brian rounded out the top five with 1966 and 1917 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Michael

    3680 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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. Jason

    2717 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Jason

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

  3. Christopher

    2008 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Christopher

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

  4. David

    1966 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  5. Brian

    1917 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  6. James

    1870 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named James

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

  7. John

    1831 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  8. Robert

    1787 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  9. Matthew

    1734 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Matthew

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

  10. Daniel

    1394 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  11. Joseph

    1345 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Joseph

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

  12. Eric

    1268 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  13. William

    1139 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  14. Anthony

    1101 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Anthony

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

  15. Ryan

    1040 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  16. Timothy

    1000 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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.

  17. Jeremy

    960 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Jeremy

    The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".

  18. Kevin

    956 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) 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".

  19. Jeffrey

    945 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  20. Steven

    942 baby boys born in Illinois (1976) named Steven

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