Illinois's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, the state of Illinois saw a surge of babies being named after popular Hollywood stars and biblical figures. Jennifer, Jessica, and Amanda were the top three baby girl names, each holding a special meaning and significance for parents across the state. Jennifer, meaning "white wave," was a favorite among parents who admired the actress Jennifer Beals, while Jessica, meaning "God beholds," was inspired by the popular TV show "Jessica Fletcher." Amanda, meaning "lovable," was a classic name that remained a favorite choice for parents.

For baby boys, Michael, Matthew, and Christopher were the top three names in Illinois. Michael, meaning "who is like God," was a name that held strong biblical ties and was also the name of the famous actor Michael J. Fox. Matthew, meaning "gift of God," was a popular choice among parents who wanted a biblical name with a modern twist. Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," was also a favorite among religious families who wanted to give their sons a meaningful name. Overall, the top baby names of 1981 in Illinois were a reflection of the popular culture and religious traditions of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1981

In Illinois in 1981, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 2843 babies given that name. Following Jennifer were Jessica with 1651 babies, Amanda with 1574 babies, Sarah with 1540 babies, and Melissa with 1355 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Illinois in 1981.

Jennifer

2843 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Jessica

1651 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Amanda

1574 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Sarah

1540 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Melissa

1355 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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
1311 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Elizabeth
1201 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Michelle
1023 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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
994 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Stephanie
959 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Tiffany
911 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Rebecca
875 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Angela
783 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Kimberly
766 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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
766 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Erin
753 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) named Erin
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Heather
748 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Laura
727 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Kelly
697 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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
629 baby girls born in Illinois (1981) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, David, and Jason. Michael was the most popular name with 3525 babies given that name. Matthew came in second with 2295 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 2202 babies. David and Jason rounded out the top five with 2024 and 2019 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

3525 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Matthew

2295 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

2202 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

2024 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Jason

2019 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
James
1732 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
1729 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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
1700 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
John
1663 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Joseph
1643 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Joshua
1623 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Brian
1536 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Ryan
1327 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Nicholas
1248 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Eric
1168 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Anthony
1156 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
William
1148 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) 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.
Justin
1129 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Justin
The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
Andrew
1095 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
Adam
1091 baby boys born in Illinois (1981) named Adam
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.