Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Minnesota witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names that would go on to become timeless classics. For baby girls, Ashley, Amanda, and Jessica were the top three names that dominated the charts. These names were not only popular in Minnesota but across the United States as well.

For baby boys, Matthew, Michael, and Andrew were the most popular names in Minnesota in 1986. These names have remained popular over the years and have been consistently featured in the top baby names lists. Parents in Minnesota seemed to have a preference for traditional and timeless names for their little ones, making these names a staple in the state's baby name trends.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1986

In Minnesota in the year 1986, the top five most popular names for baby girls were Ashley, Amanda, Jessica, Sarah, and Jennifer. Ashley was the most popular name with 949 babies given that name, followed closely by Amanda with 902 babies. Jessica was the third most popular name with 852 babies, while Sarah and Jennifer rounded out the top five with 687 and 665 babies respectively.

Ashley

949 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Amanda

902 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Jessica

852 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Sarah

687 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Jennifer

665 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Nicole
635 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Emily
471 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Megan
448 baby girls born in Minnesota (1986) 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".
Elizabeth
410 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Stephanie
407 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Laura
396 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Katie
374 baby girls born in Minnesota (1986) named Katie
The name Katie is a diminutive form of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of the name is unclear, but it is thought to possibly mean "pure" or "clear". It has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Rachel
372 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Amber
362 baby girls born in Minnesota (1986) named Amber
The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.
Amy
362 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Heather
328 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Sara
319 baby girls born in Minnesota (1986) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Brittany
318 baby girls born in Minnesota (1986) 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.
Melissa
311 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Angela
299 baby girls born in Minnesota (1986) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1986

According to data from 1986, the top five most popular baby boy names in Minnesota were Matthew, Michael, Andrew, Christopher, and Ryan. Matthew was the most popular name with 1185 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 1142 babies. Andrew ranked third with 1097 babies, while Christopher and Ryan rounded out the top five with 805 and 796 babies respectively.

Matthew

1185 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

1142 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Andrew

1097 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Christopher

805 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ryan

796 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Daniel
767 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nicholas
743 baby boys born in Minnesota (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
706 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Joseph
644 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
David
584 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Adam
552 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) 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.
Jacob
546 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Brandon
542 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".
Kyle
500 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Kyle
The name Kyle is of Scottish origin and means "narrow strait". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to boys. People with this name are often described as confident, charismatic, and adventurous.
Benjamin
488 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
John
462 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Justin
460 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) 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.
Eric
456 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) 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.
Anthony
451 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jason
397 baby boys born in Minnesota (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".