Illinois's most popular baby names in 2000

In the year 2000, the state of Illinois saw a surge in popular baby names. For baby girls, Emily took the top spot, with Hannah and Alexis following closely behind. These classic and timeless names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

On the other hand, for baby boys, Jacob was the most popular name, followed by Michael and Matthew. These biblical names have remained popular for decades and continue to be a go-to choice for parents looking for a strong and traditional name for their little one. Whether you're a fan of classic or modern names, Illinois has a wide range of options to choose from.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 2000

In 2000, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Emily, Hannah, Alexis, Jessica, and Samantha. Emily was the most popular name with 1172 babies given this name. Hannah followed closely behind with 1003 babies given this name. Alexis and Jessica tied for third place with 846 babies each, while Samantha came in fifth with 800 babies given this name. These names were all popular choices for parents in Illinois during this time period.

Emily

1172 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Hannah

1003 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Jessica

846 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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

846 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Samantha

800 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Grace
754 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) named Grace
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Ashley
723 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Elizabeth
722 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Sarah
682 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Madison
681 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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."
Kayla
646 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Olivia
635 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) named Olivia
The name Olivia is of Latin origin and means "olive tree". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and fertility, and the name Olivia has been associated with these qualities.
Lauren
633 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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
632 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Emma
609 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Abigail
595 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Taylor
572 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Megan
569 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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".
Brianna
529 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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".
Jennifer
517 baby girls born in Illinois (2000) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 2000

In the year 2000, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Jacob, Michael, Matthew, Daniel, and Nicholas. Jacob was the most popular name, with 1593 babies given that name. Michael was a close second with 1543 babies named Michael. Matthew, Daniel, and Nicholas rounded out the top five with 1392, 1261, and 1189 babies given those names, respectively.

Jacob

1593 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Michael

1543 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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

1392 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel

1261 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nicholas

1189 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Joseph
1142 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Joshua
1101 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Anthony
1004 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Andrew
973 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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
946 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Alexander
942 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Christopher
934 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
John
923 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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
922 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Brandon
852 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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".
David
851 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.
Zachary
800 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Jonathan
753 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
William
749 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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
746 baby boys born in Illinois (2000) 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.