Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1977

In the year 1977, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Jessica, and Melissa were the top picks among parents. Jennifer, meaning "white wave" in Welsh, held the number one spot for the second year in a row. Jessica, meaning "God beholds" in Hebrew, was a close second, while Melissa, meaning "bee" in Greek, rounded out the top three.

For baby boys, Michael, Jason, and Matthew were the most popular names. Michael, meaning "who is like God" in Hebrew, held the top spot for the eighth year in a row. Jason, meaning "healer" in Greek, was a strong second, while Matthew, meaning "gift of God" in Hebrew, was a close third. These names were not only popular in Massachusetts, but also across the United States during this time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1977

In 1977, Jennifer was the most popular name for baby girls in Massachusetts, with 1532 babies being given that name. Following Jennifer were the names Jessica (773), Melissa (745), Amy (688), and Michelle (573), making up the top five most popular baby girl names in the state that year.

Jennifer

1532 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Jessica

773 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Melissa

745 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Amy

688 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Michelle

573 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Sarah
551 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Heather
550 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Kelly
524 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Elizabeth
505 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Nicole
491 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Lisa
466 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Kimberly
441 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Erin
415 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Christine
380 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Rebecca
354 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Julie
333 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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".
Danielle
321 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Stephanie
303 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Amanda
290 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Laura
281 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1977

In 1977, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were Michael, Jason, Matthew, Christopher, and David. Michael was the most common name with 1996 babies given that name. Jason followed with 1307 babies, then Matthew with 1263 babies, Christopher with 1182 babies, and David with 1051 babies.

Michael

1996 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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

1307 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Matthew

1263 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

1182 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

1051 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Brian
949 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
John
918 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
James
861 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Daniel
821 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
778 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Joseph
698 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kevin
665 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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".
Jeffrey
634 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Eric
528 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
William
507 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Thomas
494 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Timothy
486 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Andrew
479 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.
Richard
465 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
457 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1977) 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.