Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1988

In the year 1988, the state of Minnesota witnessed a surge in the popularity of some of the most classic and timeless baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Ashley, Amanda, and Jessica, while Michael, Matthew, and Andrew were the most popular baby boy names.

Ashley, which means "ash tree meadow," was a name that had been in use since the 16th century. Amanda, which means "worthy of love," was also a popular name that had been in use since the 18th century. Jessica, which means "God beholds," was a name that gained popularity after it was used in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." On the other hand, Michael, which means "who is like God," had been a popular name for boys for centuries. Matthew, which means "gift of God," was also a classic name that had been in use since the Middle Ages. Andrew, which means "manly," was another timeless name that had been in use since ancient times.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1988

In Minnesota, 1988, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Amanda, Jessica, Sarah, and Jennifer. Ashley was the most popular name with 990 babies given that name, followed by Amanda with 769 babies, Jessica with 752 babies, Sarah with 601 babies, and Jennifer with 573 babies. These names were all very popular during that time period and have remained popular in the years since.

  1. Ashley

    990 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  2. Amanda

    769 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  3. Jessica

    752 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  4. Sarah

    601 baby girls born in Minnesota (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. Jennifer

    573 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  6. Nicole

    524 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  7. Samantha

    490 baby girls born in Minnesota (1988) named Samantha

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

  8. Emily

    489 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  9. Megan

    448 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".

  10. Elizabeth

    412 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  11. Brittany

    401 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  12. Stephanie

    393 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  13. Laura

    389 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  14. Danielle

    364 baby girls born in Minnesota (1988) named Danielle

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

  15. Rachel

    364 baby girls born in Minnesota (1988) 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.

  16. Heather

    362 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  17. Kayla

    326 baby girls born in Minnesota (1988) named Kayla

    The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.

  18. Melissa

    313 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  19. Amber

    294 baby girls born in Minnesota (1988) 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.

  20. Katie

    290 baby girls born in Minnesota (1988) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1988

In Minnesota, 1988, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Andrew, Joshua, and Daniel. Michael was the most popular name with 1096 babies given that name, followed closely by Matthew with 1078 babies. Andrew came in third with 1053 babies named and Joshua and Daniel rounded out the top five with 761 and 711 babies respectively.

  1. Michael

    1096 baby boys born in Minnesota (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

    1078 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) named Matthew

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

  3. Andrew

    1053 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  4. Joshua

    761 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  5. Daniel

    711 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  6. Nicholas

    682 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  7. Jacob

    667 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) 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.

  8. Ryan

    665 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  9. Joseph

    648 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) named Joseph

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

  10. Christopher

    639 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) named Christopher

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

  11. Justin

    579 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  12. David

    533 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  13. Benjamin

    529 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) named Benjamin

    The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.

  14. Kyle

    521 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) 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.

  15. Tyler

    504 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) named Tyler

    The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.

  16. Adam

    488 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) 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.

  17. Anthony

    474 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) named Anthony

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

  18. Brandon

    472 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) 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".

  19. Eric

    451 baby boys born in Minnesota (1988) 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.

  20. John

    438 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.