Illinois's most popular baby names in 1997

In the year 1997, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top three names were Emily, Jessica, and Samantha. These names have a timeless quality to them and have remained popular over the years. Emily, which means "industrious" and "hardworking," has been a favorite among parents for its classic sound and sweet meaning. Jessica, which means "God beholds," has been a popular name for its simplicity and versatility. Samantha, which means "listener," has a charming quality that has made it a beloved choice among parents.

For baby boys, the top three names were Michael, Jacob, and Nicholas. Michael, which means "who is like God," has been a long-standing favorite among parents for its strong and timeless sound. Jacob, which means "supplanter," has been a popular name for its biblical roots and classic sound. Nicholas, which means "victory of the people," has a regal quality that has made it a popular choice among parents. Overall, these names have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved choices for baby names in the state of Illinois.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1997

In 1997, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Emily, Jessica, Samantha, Hannah, and Sarah. Emily was the most popular name with 1180 babies given that name. Jessica was the second most popular with 1105 babies given that name. Samantha came in third with 986 babies given that name. Hannah was the fourth most popular name with 913 babies given that name. Finally, Sarah was the fifth most popular name with 882 babies given that name.

Emily

1180 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Jessica

1105 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Samantha

986 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Hannah

913 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Sarah

882 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Alexis
873 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Ashley
868 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Taylor
807 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Elizabeth
746 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Megan
682 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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".
Rachel
647 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Jennifer
630 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Lauren
607 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Alyssa
599 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Nicole
589 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Kayla
545 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Stephanie
541 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Amanda
534 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Abigail
530 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Brianna
522 baby girls born in Illinois (1997) named Brianna
The name Brianna is of Irish origin and is a variant of the name Brian. It is derived from the Gaelic word "brígh" which means "strength" or "virtue". Therefore, the name Brianna can be interpreted to mean "strong" or "virtuous".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1997

According to records from 1997, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Jacob, Nicholas, Matthew, and Daniel. Michael was the most popular name, with 2011 babies given that name. Jacob followed closely behind with 1574 babies, while Nicholas, Matthew, and Daniel rounded out the top five with 1516, 1494, and 1330 babies given those names respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be common choices for parents naming their baby boys.

Michael

2011 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Jacob

1574 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Nicholas

1516 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Matthew

1494 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel

1330 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
1224 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Joshua
1135 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Tyler
1077 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Christopher
1063 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Andrew
1048 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.
John
1046 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Brandon
1045 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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".
Anthony
1041 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
David
1011 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Ryan
998 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.
Austin
985 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
Zachary
958 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Alexander
876 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named Alexander
The name Alexander means "defender of the people" or "protector of mankind". It is of Greek origin and is a popular name for boys.
James
841 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kyle
826 baby boys born in Illinois (1997) 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.