Illinois's most popular baby names in 1998

In the year 1998, the state of Illinois saw a surge in baby names that were both classic and contemporary. The top baby girl names of the year were Emily, Samantha, and Jessica, while the top baby boy names were Michael, Jacob, and Matthew.

These names have been popular for decades and continue to remain favorites among parents. Emily, Samantha, and Jessica are timeless names that have been popular since the 1980s, while Michael, Jacob, and Matthew have been popular for even longer. These names are not only classic but also versatile, making them perfect for parents who want a name that will stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1998

In 1998, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Emily with 1179 occurrences, followed by Samantha with 1013 occurrences, Jessica with 967 occurrences, Alexis with 929 occurrences, and Ashley with 852 occurrences. These names were the top choices for parents in Illinois that year.

Emily

1179 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Samantha

1013 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Jessica

967 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Alexis

929 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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

852 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Hannah
850 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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
803 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Taylor
752 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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
700 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Alyssa
641 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Lauren
638 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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
621 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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".
Jennifer
591 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Kayla
589 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Abigail
580 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Madison
579 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Nicole
542 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Rachel
539 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Emma
526 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Stephanie
494 baby girls born in Illinois (1998) 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 1998

According to data from 1998, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Jacob, Matthew, Nicholas, and Daniel. Michael was the most popular name with 1933 babies given that name, followed by Jacob with 1648 babies. Matthew, Nicholas, and Daniel also made the top five with 1525, 1388, and 1277 babies named after them, respectively.

Michael

1933 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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

1648 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Matthew

1525 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Nicholas

1388 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Daniel

1277 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joshua
1150 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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
1112 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Andrew
1052 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Brandon
1022 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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".
Christopher
1003 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
John
979 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Tyler
977 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Anthony
976 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Ryan
955 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
David
940 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Alexander
916 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
Zachary
909 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Austin
858 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.
James
837 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kyle
806 baby boys born in Illinois (1998) 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.