Maryland's most popular baby names in 1979

In the year 1979, the state of Maryland saw some interesting baby name trends. For baby girls, the top four names were Jennifer, Melissa, Jessica, and Amanda. Jennifer was the most popular name that year, and it held the top spot for several years to come. Melissa and Jessica were also quite popular, and these names remained common throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

For baby boys, the top names in Maryland in 1979 were Michael, Christopher, Jason, and David. Michael was the most popular boy's name that year, and it was a top choice for parents throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Christopher and Jason were also quite popular, and these names remained common throughout the 1980s and 1990s. David, while not as popular as the other three names, was still a common choice for parents in Maryland in 1979.

Overall, the baby name trends in Maryland in 1979 were fairly typical of the time. Many of the top names for both boys and girls were traditional and timeless choices that have remained popular for decades. Whether parents were looking for classic names or more modern options, there were plenty of great choices available in Maryland in 1979.

Most popular baby girl names in Maryland in 1979

In Maryland in 1979, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 932 babies given that name. Melissa was the second most popular with 485 babies, followed by Jessica with 446 babies. Amanda and Christina rounded out the top five with 374 and 367 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Jennifer

    932 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  2. Melissa

    485 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  3. Jessica

    446 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  4. Amanda

    374 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  5. Christina

    367 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) named Christina

    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.

  6. Nicole

    348 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  7. Kimberly

    321 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  8. Heather

    311 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  9. Kelly

    308 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) named Kelly

    The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.

  10. Amy

    297 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  11. Angela

    292 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) named Angela

    The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.

  12. Lisa

    278 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  13. Sarah

    274 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  14. Michelle

    260 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  15. Stephanie

    244 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  16. Elizabeth

    233 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  17. Shannon

    226 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) named Shannon

    The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

  18. Rebecca

    219 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  19. Laura

    213 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) named Laura

    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.

  20. Crystal

    207 baby girls born in Maryland (1979) named Crystal

    The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.

Most popular baby boy names in Maryland in 1979

In Maryland, 1979, the most popular baby boy name was Michael with 1141 occurrences, followed by Christopher with 813 occurrences, Jason with 745 occurrences, David with 703 occurrences, and James with 679 occurrences. These names were the top five most commonly given to baby boys in Maryland in that year.

  1. Michael

    1141 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  2. Christopher

    813 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  3. Jason

    745 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  4. David

    703 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  5. James

    679 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  6. John

    632 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  7. Robert

    620 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  8. Matthew

    507 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  9. Brian

    505 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Brian

    The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.

  10. William

    492 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  11. Joseph

    474 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  12. Daniel

    410 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  13. Timothy

    329 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  14. Kevin

    321 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Kevin

    The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".

  15. Thomas

    316 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Thomas

    The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.

  16. Charles

    310 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Charles

    The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.

  17. Joshua

    309 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  18. Eric

    300 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  19. Andrew

    279 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) 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.

  20. Richard

    268 baby boys born in Maryland (1979) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".