Indiana's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Indiana saw the arrival of many beautiful baby girls and handsome baby boys. The top baby girl names of the year were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda. These names were incredibly popular among parents in Indiana, and for good reason. Ashley, meaning "ash tree meadow," is a timeless name that has remained popular for decades. Jessica, meaning "God beholds," is a name that exudes strength and grace. Meanwhile, Amanda, meaning "worthy of love," is a name that is both elegant and endearing.

For baby boys, the names Michael, Matthew, and Christopher were the most popular choices. Michael, meaning "who is like God," has been a top name for boys for many years. Matthew, meaning "gift of God," is another classic name that has stood the test of time. Finally, Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," is a name that has a strong and meaningful history. These names were all popular choices for parents in Indiana in 1986, and continue to be beloved names to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1986

In Indiana in the year 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Jennifer, and Sarah. Ashley was the most popular name with 1456 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 1154 babies, Amanda with 1107 babies, Jennifer with 791 babies, and Sarah with 756 babies.

Ashley

1456 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Jessica

1154 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Amanda

1107 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Jennifer

791 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Sarah

756 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Brittany
692 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Brittany
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.
Megan
647 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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".
Amber
581 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Amber
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.
Heather
566 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Heather
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.
Stephanie
493 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Elizabeth
462 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Rachel
405 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Emily
386 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Amy
372 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Amy
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.
Nicole
357 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Melissa
352 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Melissa
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.
Tiffany
342 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Samantha
339 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Danielle
336 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Whitney
332 baby girls born in Indiana (1986) named Whitney
Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1986

In Indiana, 1986, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, Joshua, and Andrew. Michael was the most popular name with 1292 babies given that name. Matthew came in second with 1190 babies, followed closely by Christopher with 1113 babies. Joshua and Andrew rounded out the top 5 with 1111 and 885 babies, respectively.

Michael

1292 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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

1190 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

1113 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

1111 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Andrew

885 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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
830 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Brandon
824 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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".
James
786 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
754 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Justin
748 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Kyle
727 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Daniel
638 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nicholas
613 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
John
600 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Adam
584 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named Adam
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.
Joseph
561 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Robert
558 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named Robert
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.
William
481 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Jonathan
474 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) 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.
Eric
472 baby boys born in Indiana (1986) named Eric
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.