Maine's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Maine saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda, while the top baby boy names were Matthew, Michael, and Christopher.

These names were not only popular in Maine, but across the United States as well. Parents were drawn to these names for their classic and timeless qualities, as well as their versatility. Whether it was the strong and traditional sound of Matthew and Michael, or the feminine and elegant sound of Ashley and Jessica, these names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Maine in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in Maine were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, and Jennifer. Ashley ranked first with 269 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 253, Amanda with 239, Sarah with 180, and Jennifer with 171. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Ashley

269 baby girls born in Maine (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

253 baby girls born in Maine (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

239 baby girls born in Maine (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

180 baby girls born in Maine (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

171 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Nicole
162 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Heather
118 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Danielle
109 baby girls born in Maine (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Elizabeth
107 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Megan
107 baby girls born in Maine (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".
Emily
91 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Stephanie
80 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Rebecca
79 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Brittany
74 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Samantha
73 baby girls born in Maine (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Michelle
73 baby girls born in Maine (1986) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Melissa
72 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Amber
72 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Amy
70 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Kimberly
68 baby girls born in Maine (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 Maine in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby boy names in Maine were Matthew, Michael, Christopher, Joshua, and Ryan. Matthew was the most popular name with 282 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 278 babies. Christopher was the third most popular name with 265 babies named Christopher, while Joshua came in fourth with 248 babies given that name. Ryan rounded out the top five with 219 babies named Ryan.

Matthew

282 baby boys born in Maine (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

278 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Christopher

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

248 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Ryan

219 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Andrew
193 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Nicholas
189 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Benjamin
155 baby boys born in Maine (1986) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Joseph
150 baby boys born in Maine (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
146 baby boys born in Maine (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
James
145 baby boys born in Maine (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
140 baby boys born in Maine (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
139 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Adam
129 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Jason
129 baby boys born in Maine (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
John
121 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Jonathan
116 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Brandon
109 baby boys born in Maine (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".
Robert
101 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Kyle
101 baby boys born in Maine (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.