Kansas's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Kansas saw a surge in popular baby names, with Jessica, Ashley, and Amanda taking the lead for baby girls, while Michael, Matthew, and Christopher were the most popular choices for baby boys. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be favored by parents across the state.

Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds," held the top spot for baby girls in Kansas. Ashley, a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow," came in at a close second, followed by Amanda, a name of Latin origin meaning "lovable." For baby boys, Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," was the most popular choice, followed by Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God," and Christopher, a name of Greek origin meaning "bearer of Christ." These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents in Kansas and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Kansas in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in Kansas were Jessica with 574 occurrences, followed by Ashley with 546 occurrences, Amanda with 480 occurrences, Sarah with 390 occurrences, and Jennifer with 332 occurrences. These names were the top five choices for parents in Kansas that year.

Jessica

574 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Ashley

546 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Amanda

480 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Sarah

390 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Jennifer

332 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Megan
305 baby girls born in Kansas (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
250 baby girls born in Kansas (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
226 baby girls born in Kansas (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
221 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Nicole
211 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Elizabeth
194 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Emily
192 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Rachel
182 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Amy
176 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Melissa
176 baby girls born in Kansas (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.
Rebecca
156 baby girls born in Kansas (1986) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Danielle
149 baby girls born in Kansas (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Samantha
147 baby girls born in Kansas (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Jamie
143 baby girls born in Kansas (1986) named Jamie
The name Jamie is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to be a diminutive form of James or Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel".
Kimberly
141 baby girls born in Kansas (1986) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.

Most popular baby boy names in Kansas in 1986

In Kansas, 1986, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, Joshua, and Andrew. Michael was the most popular name with 528 babies given that name, followed closely by Matthew with 527 babies. Christopher came in third with 515 babies, while Joshua and Andrew rounded out the top five with 447 and 427 babies respectively. These names were all classic and timeless choices that were likely popular across the country during that time.

Michael

528 baby boys born in Kansas (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

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

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

447 baby boys born in Kansas (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

427 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Brandon
356 baby boys born in Kansas (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".
Ryan
352 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
John
317 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Kyle
310 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Justin
308 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Daniel
300 baby boys born in Kansas (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
James
298 baby boys born in Kansas (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
290 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Robert
262 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Tyler
256 baby boys born in Kansas (1986) 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.
Jacob
244 baby boys born in Kansas (1986) 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.
Nicholas
240 baby boys born in Kansas (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.
Jason
234 baby boys born in Kansas (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Joseph
233 baby boys born in Kansas (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Adam
232 baby boys born in Kansas (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.