Illinois's most popular baby names in 2001

The state of Illinois in the year 2001 saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Topping the charts for baby girls were Emily, Hannah, and Jessica, while Michael, Jacob, and Matthew were the most popular names for baby boys.

Emily, a name of Latin origin meaning "rival," held the top spot for baby girls in Illinois, followed closely by Hannah, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace." Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift," rounded out the top three. For baby boys, Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," held the number one spot, followed by Jacob, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," and Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God." These names have remained popular choices for parents in Illinois and continue to be popular today.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 2001

In 2001, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Emily, Hannah, Jessica, Grace, and Samantha, in that order. Emily was the most popular name with 1171 occurrences, followed by Hannah with 858 occurrences. Jessica, Grace, and Samantha rounded out the top five with 787, 758, and 754 occurrences, respectively. These names were likely chosen by parents for their daughters due to their popularity and positive associations.

Emily

1171 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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

858 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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

787 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Grace

758 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Samantha

754 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Madison
744 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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."
Alexis
727 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Abigail
717 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Elizabeth
704 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Ashley
654 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Olivia
650 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Emma
636 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Sarah
634 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Alyssa
604 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Kayla
589 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Taylor
560 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Lauren
541 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Jennifer
518 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Anna
508 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Megan
486 baby girls born in Illinois (2001) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 2001

According to the data from 2001, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Jacob, Matthew, Daniel, and Nicholas. Michael was the most popular name with 1448 babies being named Michael, followed closely by Jacob with 1421 babies. Matthew, Daniel, and Nicholas were also popular choices with 1343, 1185, and 1133 babies being given those names, respectively.

Michael

1448 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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

1421 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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

1343 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel

1185 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nicholas

1133 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Joshua
1117 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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
1032 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Joseph
1005 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Andrew
956 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Alexander
945 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
David
925 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Christopher
909 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
John
861 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Ryan
860 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Tyler
838 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
William
824 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Zachary
819 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Brandon
763 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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".
Jonathan
746 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) 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.
Ethan
734 baby boys born in Illinois (2001) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.