In the year 1985, the state of Indiana witnessed the arrival of some of the most popular baby names of the time. Among girls, Ashley, Amanda, and Jessica topped the charts, while Joshua, Michael, and Matthew were the most popular names for boys.
Ashley, a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow," was a popular choice for parents looking for a feminine yet strong name for their daughters. Amanda, a name of Latin origin meaning "lovable," was also a popular choice for parents looking for a name that exuded warmth and affection. Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds," was another popular choice for parents looking for a name that was both classic and timeless. On the boys' side, Joshua, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is salvation," was a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, masculine name. Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," and Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God," were also popular choices for parents looking for names with religious connotations.
In 1985, the most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Ashley, Amanda, Jessica, Jennifer, and Sarah. Ashley was the most popular name with 1578 babies being named Ashley that year. Amanda came in second with 1137 babies named Amanda, followed by Jessica with 1049 babies named Jessica. Jennifer was the fourth most popular name with 918 babies named Jennifer, and Sarah rounded out the top five with 708 babies named Sarah.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
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.
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
The name Andrea is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for females in English-speaking countries.
According to data from 1985, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Joshua, Michael, Matthew, Christopher, and Ryan. Joshua was the most popular name, with 1321 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 1259 babies and Matthew with 1244 babies. Christopher was the fourth most popular name with 1230 babies, and Ryan rounded out the top five with 906 babies.
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.
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 is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
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".
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.
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.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.
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.
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.
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
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.
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.
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
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.
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.