Illinois's most popular baby names in 1978

In the year 1978, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jennifer, Melissa, and Amy were the most popular choices for baby girls, while Michael, Jason, and Christopher topped the list for baby boys.

These names were not only popular in Illinois but were also trending nationwide. Parents were drawn to these names for their classic and timeless appeal. Whether it was the soft sound of Jennifer or the strong and bold feel of Michael, these names were chosen with care and consideration for the future of their child. It's no wonder that these names have continued to remain popular over the years and have become staples in the world of baby naming.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1978

In 1978, Jennifer was the most popular baby girl name in Illinois with 2814 babies being given that name. Melissa came in second with 1364 babies, followed by Amy with 1172 babies, Nicole with 1152 babies, and Heather with 1115 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Illinois during that year.

Jennifer

2814 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Melissa

1364 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Amy

1172 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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

1152 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Heather

1115 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Sarah
1107 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Jessica
1079 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Michelle
1058 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Elizabeth
1018 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Kelly
1013 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Amanda
1008 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Angela
1005 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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
927 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Kimberly
853 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Stephanie
768 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Christina
758 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Rebecca
676 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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
653 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Julie
619 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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".
Jamie
601 baby girls born in Illinois (1978) 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 Illinois in 1978

In the year 1978, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Jason, Christopher, David, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name with 3629 babies being named Michael. Jason was the second most popular name with 2409 babies being named Jason. Christopher, David, and Matthew were also popular names with 2028, 1986, and 1893 babies being named Christopher, David, and Matthew respectively.

Michael

3629 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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

2409 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

2028 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

1986 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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

1893 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
James
1875 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
1723 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Brian
1715 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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
1635 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Daniel
1462 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
1410 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Joshua
1288 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Timothy
1198 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Eric
1191 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Ryan
1164 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Kevin
1142 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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".
William
1068 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) 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.
Anthony
1029 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jeffrey
1001 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Nicholas
975 baby boys born in Illinois (1978) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.