Missouri's most popular baby names in 1997

In the year 1997, the state of Missouri saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Emily, Hannah, and Taylor. These names were not only popular in Missouri, but also across the United States. Emily, meaning "rival" or "industrious", remained a top choice for parents due to its classic and timeless nature. Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor", was also a popular choice for its biblical roots and its simple yet elegant sound. Taylor, meaning "tailor" or "to cut", was a unique choice that gained popularity due to its gender-neutral appeal.

For baby boys, the top names in Missouri were Jacob, Austin, and Tyler. Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel", was a biblical name that has been popular for decades. Austin, meaning "great" or "magnificent", was a name that gained popularity in the 1990s due to its association with the city in Texas. Tyler, meaning "maker of tiles" or "tiler", was a name that gained popularity due to its strong sound and its association with the actor Tyler Perry. These names were not only popular in Missouri but also across the United States, and they continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1997

In Missouri in 1997, the most popular baby girl names were Emily, Hannah, Taylor, Madison, and Ashley. Emily was the most popular name with 664 babies given that name, followed by Hannah with 561 babies, Taylor with 539 babies, Madison with 480 babies, and Ashley with 462 babies.

Emily

664 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Hannah

561 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Taylor

539 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Madison

480 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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."
Ashley

462 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Sarah
450 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Jessica
445 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Samantha
432 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Megan
412 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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".
Alexis
364 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Lauren
361 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Rachel
330 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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
329 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Kayla
309 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Brittany
290 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Abigail
287 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Morgan
257 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) named Morgan
The name Morgan is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Old Welsh name Morcant, which means "sea circle" or "sea chief". It was originally a masculine name but has become more commonly used as a feminine name in recent years. The name is associated with strength, leadership, and intelligence.
Alyssa
250 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Courtney
245 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) named Courtney
The name Courtney is of English origin and means "from the court". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to girls.
Sydney
232 baby girls born in Missouri (1997) named Sydney
Sydney is a unisex name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "sīde" meaning "wide" and "īeg" meaning "island". The name Sydney has been used as a given name for both boys and girls since the 19th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1997

In Missouri in 1997, the most popular baby boy names were Jacob, Austin, Tyler, Michael, and Zachary. Jacob was the most popular name with 1011 babies given that name, followed by Austin with 799 babies. Tyler, Michael, and Zachary were also popular choices, with 656, 640, and 605 babies given those names, respectively.

Jacob

1011 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Austin

799 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Tyler

656 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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

640 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Zachary

605 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Nicholas
598 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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
595 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Andrew
569 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Joshua
549 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Ryan
498 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Brandon
495 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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".
Christopher
487 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joseph
472 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
450 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
William
428 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
James
404 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Alexander
400 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) 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.
Jordan
399 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named Jordan
The name Jordan is of Hebrew origin and means "to flow down" or "descend." It is also the name of a river in the Middle East.
Daniel
382 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Dylan
379 baby boys born in Missouri (1997) named Dylan
The name Dylan is of Welsh origin and its meaning is "son of the sea". It is derived from the Welsh word "dy" which means "great" and "llanw" which means "tide" or "flow". The name has been used as a given name for centuries and has been popularized in modern times by various famous individuals.