Missouri's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Missouri saw a surge of new parents naming their babies with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, the top names were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda. These names were not only popular in Missouri, but across the country as well, and they remained popular for many years to come.

For baby boys, the most popular names in Missouri in 1986 were Christopher, Michael, and Matthew. These names have been classic choices for parents for decades and continue to be popular even today. Whether inspired by family traditions or simply because they like the sound of the name, many parents in Missouri chose these names for their little ones in 1986.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1986

In Missouri, 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, and Jennifer. Ashley was the most popular name with 1378 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 1193 babies. Amanda was the third most popular name with 984 babies, followed by Sarah with 807 babies and Jennifer with 757 babies. These names were very popular during this time period and were commonly given to baby girls born in Missouri.

Ashley

1378 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Jessica

1193 baby girls born in Missouri (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

984 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Sarah

807 baby girls born in Missouri (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

757 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Megan
569 baby girls born in Missouri (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".
Heather
537 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Stephanie
499 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Amber
445 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Rachel
439 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Elizabeth
417 baby girls born in Missouri (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
411 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Brittany
382 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Nicole
369 baby girls born in Missouri (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
350 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Amy
339 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Melissa
321 baby girls born in Missouri (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
319 baby girls born in Missouri (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
317 baby girls born in Missouri (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Tiffany
310 baby girls born in Missouri (1986) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1986

In Missouri in 1986, the most popular baby boy names were Christopher, Michael, Matthew, Joshua, and Andrew. Christopher was the most popular name, with 1263 babies given that name. Michael was a close second, with 1261 babies given that name. Matthew was the third most popular name, with 1098 babies given that name. Joshua and Andrew rounded out the top five, with 958 and 887 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and personal preferences of parents in Missouri during that time.

Christopher

1263 baby boys born in Missouri (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael

1261 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Matthew

1098 baby boys born in Missouri (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua

958 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Andrew

887 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Ryan
773 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
James
760 baby boys born in Missouri (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
744 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Daniel
727 baby boys born in Missouri (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
John
661 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Brandon
650 baby boys born in Missouri (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".
Justin
627 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Joseph
619 baby boys born in Missouri (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kyle
600 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Nicholas
586 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Robert
550 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
William
491 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Brian
491 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Timothy
482 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Adam
476 baby boys born in Missouri (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.