Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of baby names that were inspired by the Bible and traditional English names. The top baby girl names of the year were Jessica, Amanda, and Ashley, all of which were derived from the Old English language and had significant religious connotations. These names were not only popular in Massachusetts but across the United States.

On the other hand, the top baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1986 were Michael, Christopher, and Matthew. These names were also influenced by the Bible and had a strong connection to Christianity. Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name for boys in the state, followed closely by Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ," and Matthew, which means "gift of God." These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be a popular choice for parents.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts were Jessica, Amanda, Ashley, Jennifer, and Sarah. Jessica was the most popular name with 1198 babies given that name, followed closely by Amanda with 1045 babies. Ashley came in third with 1002 babies named that, followed by Jennifer with 958, and Sarah with 777 babies given that name. These names were the top choices for parents in Massachusetts during that year.

Jessica

1198 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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

1045 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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

1002 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Jennifer

958 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Sarah

777 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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
774 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Stephanie
623 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Elizabeth
583 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Lauren
510 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Melissa
494 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Laura
433 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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
428 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Heather
405 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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
402 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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
390 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Rachel
370 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.
Samantha
369 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Christina
362 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Amy
346 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Katherine
344 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1986) named Katherine
The name Katherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a variant of the name Catherine.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1986

In Massachusetts in 1986, Michael was the most popular baby boy name with 2199 babies being named Michael. The second most popular name was Christopher with 1522 babies, followed closely by Matthew with 1485 babies. Daniel was the fourth most popular name with 1158 babies, and David came in fifth with 955 babies. These five names were the most popular choices for parents of baby boys in Massachusetts in 1986.

Michael

2199 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Christopher

1522 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew

1485 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel

1158 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
David

955 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Andrew
954 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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
893 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
882 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John
864 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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
847 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Robert
801 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Jonathan
742 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Brian
736 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Nicholas
718 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Joshua
668 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Kevin
629 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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".
William
588 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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
583 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.
Jason
576 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Thomas
568 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1986) 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.