Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1985

In 1985, Massachusetts was buzzing with the excitement of new parents welcoming their little bundles of joy into the world. The most popular baby girl names of the year were Jennifer, Jessica, and Amanda. These classic names were chosen by parents who wanted to give their daughters strong, feminine names that would stand the test of time. Jennifer, in particular, was a favorite among parents for its simplicity and elegance.

For baby boys, the top names were Michael, Matthew, and Christopher. These names were chosen by parents who wanted to give their sons strong, traditional names that would reflect their values and heritage. Michael, in particular, was a popular choice for its biblical roots and timeless appeal. Overall, the top baby names of 1985 in Massachusetts reflected a desire for classic, meaningful names that would withstand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1985

In Massachusetts in the year 1985, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Jessica, Amanda, Ashley, and Nicole. Jennifer was the most popular name with 1123 babies being given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 1021 babies. Amanda, Ashley, and Nicole rounded out the top five names with 897, 865, and 834 babies being given those names, respectively.

Jennifer

1123 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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

1021 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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

897 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Ashley

865 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Nicole

834 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Sarah
752 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Elizabeth
617 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Stephanie
588 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Melissa
536 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Lauren
507 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Laura
496 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Danielle
482 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Heather
421 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Emily
397 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Michelle
391 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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
388 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Christina
385 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Kimberly
376 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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
371 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Megan
366 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1985) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1985

In 1985, Michael was the most popular baby boy name in Massachusetts with 2121 babies being given that name. Matthew came in second with 1564 babies, followed closely by Christopher with 1554 babies. Daniel was the fourth most popular name with 1205 babies, and David rounded out the top five with 977 babies. These five names were the most popular choices for parents of baby boys in Massachusetts that year.

Michael

2121 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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

1564 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

1554 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Daniel

1205 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
David

977 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
John
968 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Ryan
944 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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
928 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Joseph
919 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
885 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
844 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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
807 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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
740 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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
734 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Nicholas
706 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Jason
646 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Kevin
587 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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".
Timothy
579 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
William
575 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.
Adam
569 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1985) 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.