In the year 1978, the state of New York saw a rise in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Jessica, and Melissa were the top picks among parents. These names were not only trendy but also had a classic appeal that made them enduring favorites.
For baby boys, Michael, Jason, and Christopher were the top names in the state. These names exuded strength, power, and confidence, which made them popular choices for parents who wanted their sons to have a strong and commanding presence. Overall, the baby names in New York in 1978 reflected a mix of classic and modern influences, which made them both timeless and trendy.
In 1978, the most popular baby girl names in New York were Jennifer, Jessica, Melissa, Nicole, and Michelle. Jennifer was the most popular name by a significant margin, with 3745 babies given that name. Jessica and Melissa were the next most popular names, with 2193 and 2051 babies given those names, respectively. Nicole and Michelle rounded out the top five, with 1796 and 1475 babies given those names. These names were all very popular choices for parents in New York in 1978.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
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.
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.
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.
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
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.
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
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.
In New York in 1978, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Jason, Christopher, David, and John. Michael was the most popular name with 5855 babies given that name, followed by Jason with 3255 babies. Christopher, David, and John rounded out the top five with 3246, 3114, and 2691 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely popular due to their classic, timeless nature and widespread use in the United States.
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.
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
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.
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.
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
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.
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
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".
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
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.
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
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.
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.