Oregon's most popular baby names in 1979

In the year 1979, the state of Oregon saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Topping the list for baby girls were Jennifer, Sarah, and Melissa, while Michael, Joshua, and Christopher were the most popular names for baby boys.

Jennifer, meaning "white wave" in Welsh, has been a popular name for decades and was a clear winner in 1979. Sarah, meaning "princess" in Hebrew, also held a strong position in the top baby girl names. Melissa, meaning "honeybee" in Greek, was another favorite among Oregon parents. For baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God" in Hebrew, was a clear favorite, followed by Joshua, meaning "God is salvation," and Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ." These timeless names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Oregon in 1979

In 1979, the most popular baby girl name in Oregon was Jennifer, with 725 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Sarah with 450 babies, Melissa with 428 babies, Jessica with 410 babies, and Heather with 342 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Oregon during that year.

Jennifer

725 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Sarah

450 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Melissa

428 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Jessica

410 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Heather

342 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Angela
312 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Amanda
305 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Amy
294 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Michelle
252 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) named Michelle
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.
Nicole
214 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) named Nicole
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.
Elizabeth
209 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Amber
208 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Lisa
207 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Stephanie
203 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Rebecca
202 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Crystal
187 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Kimberly
182 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Jamie
176 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) named Jamie
The name Jamie is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to be a diminutive form of James or Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel".
Erin
175 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) named Erin
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Christina
172 baby girls born in Oregon (1979) 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 Oregon in 1979

In 1979, the most popular baby boy names in Oregon were Michael, Joshua, Christopher, Jason, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 673 babies being given that name, followed closely by Joshua with 616 babies. Christopher, Jason, and David were also popular choices with 562, 558, and 495 babies being given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Michael

673 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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

616 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Christopher

562 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Jason

558 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
David

495 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Ryan
489 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Matthew
477 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Robert
369 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
James
369 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Daniel
352 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Brian
349 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Joseph
344 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
342 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Jeremy
340 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Nicholas
338 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Andrew
314 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Justin
305 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Adam
283 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) 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.
Aaron
279 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Aaron
The name Aaron means "mountain of strength" or "enlightened" and is of Hebrew origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the brother of Moses in the Old Testament. Aaron is a popular name for boys in many cultures.
Benjamin
278 baby boys born in Oregon (1979) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.