Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1988

In the year 1988, the most popular baby names in the state of Massachusetts were a reflection of the cultural trends of the time. For baby girls, the top three names were Jessica, Ashley, and Amanda. These names were popular across the United States and were often associated with the popular culture of the era, including movies and television shows.

For baby boys, the top three names were Michael, Matthew, and Christopher. These names were also popular across the country and had strong religious connotations, reflecting the influence of Christianity in American society. Overall, the baby names of 1988 in Massachusetts were a reflection of the cultural and religious trends of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1988

In Massachusetts in 1988, the most popular baby girl names were Jessica, Ashley, Amanda, Sarah, and Nicole. Jessica was the most popular name with 1111 baby girls given that name, followed closely by Ashley with 1082 and Amanda with 1077. Sarah and Nicole rounded out the top five with 785 and 780 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Jessica

    1111 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  2. Ashley

    1082 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  3. Amanda

    1077 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  4. Sarah

    785 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  5. Nicole

    780 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  6. Jennifer

    772 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  7. Stephanie

    667 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  8. Elizabeth

    639 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  9. Lauren

    583 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  10. Samantha

    557 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) named Samantha

    The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.

  11. Emily

    492 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  12. Danielle

    466 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) named Danielle

    The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".

  13. Melissa

    450 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  14. Brittany

    423 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) named Brittany

    The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.

  15. Rebecca

    364 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  16. Megan

    362 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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".

  17. Katherine

    360 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) named Katherine

    The name Katherine is of Greek origin and means "pure". It is a variant of the name Catherine.

  18. Laura

    353 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  19. Heather

    347 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  20. Michelle

    347 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1988

Based on the data from Massachusetts in 1988, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, Daniel, and Andrew. Michael was the most popular name with 2054 babies given that name, followed by Matthew with 1516 babies, Christopher with 1473 babies, Daniel with 1105 babies, and Andrew with 1020 babies.

  1. Michael

    2054 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  2. Matthew

    1516 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  3. Christopher

    1473 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  4. Daniel

    1105 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  5. Andrew

    1020 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  6. David

    971 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  7. Nicholas

    946 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  8. John

    922 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  9. Joseph

    912 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  10. Ryan

    875 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  11. James

    857 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  12. Joshua

    835 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  13. Robert

    805 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  14. Jonathan

    716 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  15. Brian

    682 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  16. Justin

    655 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  17. Kevin

    648 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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".

  18. William

    634 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  19. Thomas

    616 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) 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.

  20. Anthony

    598 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1988) named Anthony

    The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".