New jersey's most popular baby names in 1981

In 1981, the state of New Jersey saw a surge in popular baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer and Jessica were the top two names, followed closely by Melissa. These names were likely influenced by popular culture at the time, with Jennifer being the name of the main character in the hit movie "Flashdance" and Jessica being the name of a popular character on the TV show "Dallas."

For baby boys, the top three names were Michael, Christopher, and David. These classic names have remained popular over the years and are still commonly used today. Michael, in particular, has consistently been a top name for baby boys for several decades.

Overall, the top baby names in New Jersey in 1981 were reflective of the trends and influences of the time. While some of these names may have fallen out of favor in recent years, many of them continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in New jersey in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby girl names in New Jersey were Jennifer, Jessica, Melissa, Nicole, and Lauren. Jennifer was the most popular name with 1604 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 1195 babies. Melissa, Nicole, and Lauren rounded out the top five with 872, 817, and 617 babies given those names, respectively.

Jennifer

1604 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Jessica

1195 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Melissa

872 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Nicole

817 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Lauren

617 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Michelle
539 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Danielle
523 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Lisa
514 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Kimberly
484 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Elizabeth
465 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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
457 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Sarah
441 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Christine
425 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Kelly
417 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Amanda
408 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Christina
402 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Christina
The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Kristin
399 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Kristin
The name Kristin is a variation of the name Kristen, which is derived from the name Christina. Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". Therefore, the name Kristin likely has a similar meaning, and can be interpreted as "a Christian woman".
Erin
383 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) named Erin
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Heather
382 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Amy
378 baby girls born in New jersey (1981) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in New jersey in 1981

In 1981, Michael was the most popular baby boy name in New Jersey with a total of 2572 babies given that name. Christopher came in second with 1462 babies, followed by David and Joseph, both with 1154 babies. John rounded out the top five with 1138 babies given that name.

Michael

2572 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Christopher

1462 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

1154 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Joseph

1154 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John

1138 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Matthew
1088 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Robert
1066 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Jason
997 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
James
983 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
954 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Daniel
954 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
William
753 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Anthony
712 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Thomas
703 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Ryan
654 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.
Richard
617 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kevin
598 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Jonathan
580 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
Steven
531 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Justin
525 baby boys born in New jersey (1981) 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.