Illinois's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Illinois saw a trend in popular baby names that reflected the national trends of the time. For baby girls, Jessica, Ashley, and Jennifer topped the charts, while Michael, Matthew, and Christopher were the most popular names for baby boys.

Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds," held the top spot for baby girls in Illinois. Ashley, a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow," and Jennifer, a name of Welsh origin meaning "fair and smooth," followed closely behind. For baby boys, Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," held the top spot, while Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God," and Christopher, a name of Greek origin meaning "bearer of Christ," rounded out the top three. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, reflecting the enduring appeal of classic and meaningful names.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1986

In Illinois in 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Jessica, Ashley, Jennifer, Amanda, and Sarah. Jessica was the most popular name with 2134 babies given that name, followed closely by Ashley with 2005 babies. Jennifer, Amanda, and Sarah rounded out the top five with 1748, 1692, and 1287 babies given those names, respectively.

Jessica

2134 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Ashley

2005 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Jennifer

1748 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Amanda

1692 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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

1287 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Nicole
1113 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Stephanie
1111 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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
1053 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Brittany
975 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Lauren
932 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Lauren
The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.
Megan
911 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Melissa
854 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Laura
763 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Samantha
724 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Michelle
708 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Heather
706 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Rachel
703 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.
Amy
698 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Emily
667 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Amber
640 baby girls born in Illinois (1986) named Amber
The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1986

In 1986, Michael was the most popular baby boy name in Illinois with 3250 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were Matthew (2269), Christopher (2132), Daniel (1943), and David (1694). These five names were the most commonly chosen for baby boys born in Illinois that year.

Michael

3250 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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

2269 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

2132 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Daniel

1943 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
David

1694 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Andrew
1591 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Ryan
1571 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
James
1464 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
1446 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Joshua
1380 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Joseph
1360 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
1306 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Nicholas
1269 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Anthony
1219 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Brian
1141 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Kevin
1082 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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".
Eric
1065 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) 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.
Jason
1040 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Kyle
1030 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Kyle
The name Kyle is of Scottish origin and means "narrow strait". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to boys. People with this name are often described as confident, charismatic, and adventurous.
Brandon
1010 baby boys born in Illinois (1986) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".