North carolina's most popular baby names in 1988

In 1988, North Carolina was a state bustling with new life and growing families. The top baby names of that year reflect the popular trends of the time, with traditional and classic names taking the lead.

For baby girls, Ashley, Jessica, and Brittany were the most popular choices. These names were not only stylish and contemporary, but also had a timeless quality that made them enduring favorites. For baby boys, Christopher, Joshua, and Michael took the top spots, reflecting the enduring appeal of biblical and saintly names. These names were not only popular in North Carolina, but also across the United States, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1988

In North Carolina in 1988, the top five most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, Brittany, Amanda, and Tiffany. Ashley was the most popular name with 1630 babies given that name. Jessica followed closely behind with 1565 babies named Jessica. Brittany was the third most popular name with 1089 babies given that name, while Amanda was the fourth most popular with 1021 babies. Tiffany rounded out the top five with 688 babies given that name.

Ashley

1630 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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

1565 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Brittany

1089 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Amanda

1021 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Tiffany

688 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Heather
675 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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
664 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Jennifer
652 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Lauren
595 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Amber
592 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Elizabeth
532 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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
532 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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".
Stephanie
460 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Samantha
435 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Emily
423 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Crystal
387 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Courtney
381 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) named Courtney
The name Courtney is of English origin and means "from the court". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to girls.
Whitney
364 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) named Whitney
Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".
Melissa
345 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Kayla
341 baby girls born in North carolina (1988) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1988

In North Carolina in 1988, the most popular baby boy names were Christopher, Joshua, Michael, Justin, and Matthew. Christopher was the most popular name with 1577 babies given that name, followed closely by Joshua with 1510 babies. Michael was the third most popular name with 1449 babies, while Justin and Matthew rounded out the top five with 1179 and 1148 babies respectively. These names were all very popular choices for parents in North Carolina that year.

Christopher

1577 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

1510 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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

1449 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Justin

1179 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Matthew

1148 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
James
1120 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
1006 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Brandon
934 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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".
David
835 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Robert
806 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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
782 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
John
776 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Andrew
697 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Daniel
687 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
654 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
502 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Timothy
499 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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
453 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) 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.
Anthony
451 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jeremy
440 baby boys born in North carolina (1988) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".