Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1996

In the year 1996, the state of Minnesota witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among the top baby girl names were Emily, Samantha, and Hannah, each of which captured the hearts of parents across the state. Emily, a name of Latin origin meaning "rival", took the top spot as the most favored name for baby girls in Minnesota that year. Samantha, a name with Hebrew roots meaning "listener", followed closely behind as the second most popular name, while the timeless name Hannah, meaning "grace" in Hebrew, secured the third position.

For baby boys, Jacob, Nicholas, and Matthew emerged as the most popular names in Minnesota in 1996. Jacob, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter", was a clear favorite among parents, taking the top spot as the most common name for baby boys. Nicholas, a name with Greek roots meaning "victory of the people", came in at a close second, while Matthew, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God", rounded up the top three. These names continue to remain popular choices for parents in Minnesota and across the United States.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1996

In 1996, the most popular baby girl names in Minnesota were Emily, Samantha, Hannah, Ashley, and Megan. Emily was the most popular name with 542 babies given that name, followed by Samantha with 469, Hannah with 449, Ashley with 404, and Megan with 402. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and traditional sound.

Emily

542 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Samantha

469 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Hannah

449 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Ashley

404 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Megan

402 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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".
Sarah
375 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Rachel
374 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Elizabeth
370 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Taylor
353 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Jessica
321 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Anna
294 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Madison
293 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Amanda
273 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Kayla
272 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Nicole
267 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Alexis
266 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Abigail
258 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Madeline
230 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Madeline
The name Madeline is of French origin and means "high tower" or "woman of Magdala".
Alexandra
225 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Alexandra
The name Alexandra means "defender of the people" and is of Greek origin. It is a feminine form of the name Alexander.
Emma
221 baby girls born in Minnesota (1996) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1996

In 1996, the most popular baby boy names in Minnesota were Jacob, Nicholas, Matthew, Tyler, and Michael. Jacob was the most popular name with 819 babies given that name, followed closely by Nicholas with 647 babies and Matthew with 642 babies. Tyler and Michael rounded out the top five with 573 and 571 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless appeal.

Jacob

819 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Nicholas

647 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Matthew

642 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Tyler

573 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Michael

571 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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
511 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Zachary
511 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Joseph
494 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Austin
482 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
Ryan
481 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Samuel
479 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Samuel
The name Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is a biblical name. Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Alexander
476 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Alexander
The name Alexander means "defender of the people" or "protector of mankind". It is of Greek origin and is a popular name for boys.
Joshua
450 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Benjamin
442 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Brandon
407 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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".
John
375 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Daniel
350 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kyle
349 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.
Anthony
332 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Thomas
331 baby boys born in Minnesota (1996) 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.