Oregon's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, the state of Oregon saw a surge in popular baby names. Jennifer, Sarah, and Jessica were the top three names for baby girls, while Michael, Christopher, and Joshua were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were a reflection of the cultural trends of the time, as well as the influence of popular media.

The name Jennifer, in particular, was extremely popular in the 1980s, and remained one of the most popular names for baby girls throughout the decade. The popularity of these names in Oregon is a testament to the state's cultural climate at the time, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the naming trends of the era.

Most popular baby girl names in Oregon in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby girl names in Oregon were Jennifer, Sarah, Jessica, Melissa, and Amanda. Jennifer was the most popular name with 662 babies given that name, followed by Sarah with 507 babies, Jessica with 488 babies, Melissa with 348 babies, and Amanda with 339 babies. These names were very trendy during that time and were widely used across the state.

Jennifer

662 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Sarah

507 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Jessica

488 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Melissa

348 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Amanda

339 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Amy
297 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Rebecca
282 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Stephanie
279 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Heather
262 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Nicole
252 baby girls born in Oregon (1981) 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.
Angela
239 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Amber
236 baby girls born in Oregon (1981) 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
232 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Erin
228 baby girls born in Oregon (1981) 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.
Michelle
203 baby girls born in Oregon (1981) 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.
Emily
203 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Crystal
193 baby girls born in Oregon (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.
Sara
191 baby girls born in Oregon (1981) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Megan
189 baby girls born in Oregon (1981) 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".
Tiffany
187 baby girls born in Oregon (1981) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".

Most popular baby boy names in Oregon in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby boy names in Oregon were Michael, Christopher, Joshua, Matthew, and Ryan. Michael was the most popular name with 688 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 612 babies and Joshua with 610 babies. Matthew and Ryan rounded out the top five with 546 and 544 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends at the time.

Michael

688 baby boys born in Oregon (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

612 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

610 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Matthew

546 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Ryan

544 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) 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.
David
489 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Jason
432 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Justin
391 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Robert
379 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Brian
352 baby boys born in Oregon (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
351 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
343 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Andrew
342 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) 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.
James
338 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John
335 baby boys born in Oregon (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.
Nicholas
335 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) 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.
Brandon
298 baby boys born in Oregon (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".
Jeremy
288 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Jesse
277 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) named Jesse
The name Jesse is of Hebrew origin and means "gift" or "God's gracious gift". It is a name that has been used for both boys and girls, but is more commonly used for boys.
Adam
267 baby boys born in Oregon (1981) 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.