North carolina's most popular baby names in 1986

North Carolina in the year 1986 saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names for both boys and girls. The top baby girl names in the state were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda, while the top baby boy names were Christopher, Michael, and Joshua. These names were favored by parents across the state for their timeless appeal and strong meanings.

Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda were popular choices for baby girls, with Ashley taking the top spot. These names were known for their feminine charm and classic sound, making them a great choice for parents who wanted a name that would stand the test of time. For baby boys, Christopher, Michael, and Joshua were the most popular names, known for their strong meanings and traditional sound. These names were favored by parents who wanted a name that would inspire their son to be a leader and a protector. Overall, these names were a reflection of the values and traditions that were important to North Carolina families in 1986.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in North Carolina were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Jennifer, and Brittany. Ashley and Jessica were the top two names, with 1521 and 1502 babies given those names, respectively. Amanda, Jennifer, and Brittany followed with 1103, 839, and 720 babies given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Ashley

1521 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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

1502 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Amanda

1103 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Jennifer

839 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Brittany

720 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Heather
676 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Sarah
562 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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
540 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Stephanie
526 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Tiffany
521 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Crystal
482 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Lauren
473 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Elizabeth
468 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Megan
423 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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".
Kimberly
414 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Whitney
378 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) named Whitney
Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".
Laura
341 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Mary
333 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Melissa
332 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Emily
331 baby girls born in North carolina (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1986

In North Carolina in 1986, the most popular baby boy names were Christopher, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, and Brandon. Christopher was the most popular name with 1717 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 1341, Joshua with 1159, Matthew with 1136, and Brandon with 1106. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Christopher

1717 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael

1341 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Joshua

1159 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Matthew

1136 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Brandon

1106 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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".
James
1078 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
1014 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Justin
897 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.
David
872 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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
825 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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
817 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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
782 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Daniel
752 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Andrew
636 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Joseph
621 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jeremy
516 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Kevin
499 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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".
Jason
496 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Brian
471 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.
Timothy
470 baby boys born in North carolina (1986) 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.