Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1976

In 1976, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in popular baby names, with Jennifer, Amy, and Melissa taking the lead for baby girls, and Michael, Jason, and Christopher dominating the charts for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Massachusetts, but also across the United States, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time.

Jennifer, meaning "white wave" in Welsh, was a top favorite among parents, while Amy, meaning "beloved" in Latin, and Melissa, meaning "honey bee" in Greek, were close contenders. For baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God" in Hebrew, was a popular choice, along with Jason, meaning "healer" in Greek, and Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ" in Greek. These names continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many, reminding us of a unique time in history and the fond memories associated with them.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1976

In 1976, Jennifer was the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts with a total of 1553 babies named Jennifer. Following Jennifer, Amy was the second most popular name with 877 babies named Amy. Melissa came in third with 705 babies named Melissa, followed by Jessica with 671 babies named Jessica. Heather rounded out the top five with 582 babies named Heather in Massachusetts.

Jennifer

1553 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Amy

877 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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

705 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Jessica

671 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Heather

582 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Michelle
549 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Lisa
501 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Nicole
480 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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
454 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Sarah
421 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Kimberly
414 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Christine
393 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Rebecca
376 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Erin
357 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) named Erin
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Kelly
335 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Julie
326 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".
Shannon
313 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Danielle
295 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Laura
272 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Karen
267 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1976) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1976

In Massachusetts in the year 1976, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Jason, Christopher, David, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name with 2034 boys given that name. Jason and Christopher were close behind with 1174 and 1152 boys respectively. David and Matthew rounded out the top five with 1120 and 941 boys given those names.

Michael

2034 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Jason

1174 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

1152 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

1120 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Matthew

941 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
John
892 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Robert
859 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
James
830 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
813 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Daniel
787 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
690 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Eric
610 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Jeffrey
571 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Scott
533 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Scott
The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
William
505 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Timothy
496 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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.
Kevin
486 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) 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".
Richard
477 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
456 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Stephen
456 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1976) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.