North carolina's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, North Carolina saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Jennifer, Amanda, and Jessica. These names were all popular choices across the United States during this time period, reflecting a trend towards more modern and unique names.

For baby boys, the top names in North Carolina were Michael, Christopher, and James. These classic names have been popular for decades and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether you're looking for a traditional name or something more modern, these names offer a great starting point for parents looking to name their new bundle of joy.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby girl names in North Carolina were Jennifer, Amanda, Jessica, Crystal, and Melissa. Jennifer was the most popular name with 1336 babies given that name, followed by Amanda with 1017 babies. Jessica, Crystal, and Melissa were also popular choices with 972, 811, and 574 babies given those names, respectively.

Jennifer

1336 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Amanda

1017 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Jessica

972 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Crystal

811 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) named Crystal
The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.
Melissa

574 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Kimberly
515 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Stephanie
497 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Amy
494 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Sarah
491 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Elizabeth
486 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
Tiffany
472 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Heather
448 baby girls born in North carolina (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.
April
435 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) named April
April is a feminine given name that is derived from the name of the fourth month of the year. The name April has no specific meaning beyond being associated with the spring season in which the month of April falls.
Mary
417 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Ashley
402 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) 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.
Angela
362 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Rebecca
320 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) named Rebecca
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.
Emily
318 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) 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.
Laura
307 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) 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.
Brandy
296 baby girls born in North carolina (1981) named Brandy
The name Brandy is of English origin and is derived from the alcoholic beverage brandy. The meaning of the name is not related to the drink, but rather is thought to come from the Old Norse name Brandr, meaning "firebrand" or "sword".

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1981

In North Carolina in 1981, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Christopher, James, Jason, and Joshua. Michael was the most popular name with 1429 babies given the name, followed by Christopher with 1309 babies, and James with 1252 babies. Jason was the fourth most popular name with 1081 babies, and Joshua rounded out the top five with 1008 babies given the name.

Michael

1429 baby boys born in North carolina (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

1309 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
James

1252 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jason

1081 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Joshua

1008 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) 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.
William
957 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
David
954 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Matthew
877 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
John
844 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Jonathan
783 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Robert
760 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Brandon
714 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) 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".
Joseph
606 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brian
605 baby boys born in North carolina (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
569 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Justin
565 baby boys born in North carolina (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.
Jeremy
514 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Charles
510 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Timothy
492 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) 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.
Eric
393 baby boys born in North carolina (1981) named Eric
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.