North carolina's most popular baby names in 1985

In the year 1985, North Carolina saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Topping the charts for baby girls were Ashley, Jessica, and Jennifer, while Christopher, Joshua, and Michael were the most popular names for baby boys.

Ashley, a name of English origin, meaning "ash tree meadow," was a favorite among parents for its simplicity and elegance. Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God beholds," was also a popular choice for its timeless appeal. Jennifer, a name of Welsh origin, meaning "fair and smooth," rounded out the top three for baby girls. For baby boys, Christopher, a name of Greek origin, meaning "bearer of Christ," was a popular choice for its religious significance. Joshua, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is salvation," and Michael, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "who is like God," were also popular choices for their strong and powerful meanings.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1985

In 1985, the most popular baby girl names in North Carolina were Ashley, Jessica, Jennifer, Amanda, and Heather. Ashley was the most popular name, with 1493 babies given that name. Jessica and Jennifer followed closely behind with 1302 and 1052 babies given those names respectively. Amanda and Heather rounded out the top five with 1023 and 674 babies given those names. These names were likely popular due to their familiarity and popularity across the United States during that time period.

Ashley

1493 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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

1302 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Jennifer

1052 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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

1023 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Heather

674 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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
567 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Crystal
566 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Elizabeth
549 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Sarah
542 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Amber
453 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Lauren
450 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Kimberly
448 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Megan
442 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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".
Brittany
422 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Tiffany
408 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Laura
390 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Melissa
389 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Mary
369 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Emily
365 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Christina
356 baby girls born in North carolina (1985) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1985

According to data from 1985, the most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were Christopher, Joshua, Michael, James, and Matthew. Christopher was the most popular name, with 1707 babies given that name. Joshua followed closely behind with 1424 babies, while Michael came in third with 1389 babies. James and Matthew rounded out the top five with 1193 and 1131 babies respectively. These names were likely inspired by biblical figures or popular culture at the time.

Christopher

1707 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

1424 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Michael

1389 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
James

1193 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Matthew

1131 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Brandon
1109 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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".
William
964 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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
892 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
John
819 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Robert
801 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Jonathan
791 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Daniel
773 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Justin
751 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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
666 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jason
632 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Andrew
539 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Timothy
491 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Charles
475 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Adam
472 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.
Brian
465 baby boys born in North carolina (1985) 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.