Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, the most popular baby names in the state of Massachusetts were Jennifer, Jessica, Melissa for girls and Michael, Matthew, Christopher for boys. Jennifer, a name of Welsh origin meaning "fair and yielding", took the top spot for the second year in a row. Jessica, derived from the Hebrew name Yiskah and meaning "to behold", came in at a close second, while Melissa, a Greek name meaning "honey bee", rounded out the top three for girls.

For boys, Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God", held onto the number one spot for the ninth year in a row. Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God", came in at number two, while Christopher, a Greek name meaning "bearer of Christ", rounded out the top three for boys. These names were popular choices for parents in Massachusetts in 1981 and continue to be popular today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1981

According to the records of the most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1981, Jennifer was the most popular name with 1433 babies being given that name. Following Jennifer was Jessica with 992 babies being named that, then Melissa with 808 babies, Sarah with 788 babies, and Nicole with 660 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1981.

Jennifer

1433 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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

992 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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

808 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Sarah

788 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Nicole

660 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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
656 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Amanda
516 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Michelle
507 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Amy
504 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Erin
477 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Stephanie
447 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Kristen
426 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) named Kristen
The name Kristen is of Scandinavian origin and is a variation of the name Christine. It means "follower of Christ" or "anointed one".
Rebecca
416 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Lisa
401 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Danielle
383 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Heather
382 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Kimberly
380 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Lauren
359 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) named Lauren
The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.
Kelly
347 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Laura
319 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1981) 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 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, David, and Jason. Michael was the most popular name with 2168 babies given that name, followed by Matthew with 1490 babies, Christopher with 1327 babies, David with 1126 babies, and Jason with 942 babies. These names were very popular and widely used for baby boys in Massachusetts during that year.

Michael

2168 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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

1490 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

1327 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

1126 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Jason

942 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
John
901 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Daniel
880 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
874 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
849 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
801 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Brian
775 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Jonathan
709 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Joshua
640 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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
626 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Adam
587 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Jeffrey
577 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
William
570 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Nicholas
565 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.
Kevin
559 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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".
Justin
557 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1981) 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.