Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1978

In the year 1978, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the most popular names were Jennifer, Melissa, and Amy. These names were widely used by parents across the state, with Jennifer being the most popular of the three. The name Jennifer has its roots in Welsh mythology and means "fair and smooth".

On the other hand, for baby boys, the most popular names were Michael, Jason, and Matthew. These names were also quite popular among parents in Pennsylvania. Michael was the most popular name of the three and has Hebrew origins, meaning "who is like God". Jason, a name with Greek roots, means "healer", while Matthew, a name with Hebrew origins, means "gift of God".

Overall, these names were quite popular in Pennsylvania in 1978 and continue to be popular to this day. Many parents choose these names for their children, inspired by their timeless meanings and their association with a particular era in history.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1978

In Pennsylvania in 1978, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 3072 babies given that name. Following Jennifer were Melissa with 1499 babies, Amy with 1376 babies, Heather with 1337 babies, and Jessica with 1332 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1978.

Jennifer

3072 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Melissa

1499 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Amy

1376 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Heather

1337 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Jessica

1332 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Nicole
1251 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Kelly
1208 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Michelle
992 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Lisa
961 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Christina
855 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Amanda
800 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Angela
797 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Kimberly
779 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Stephanie
759 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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
756 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Elizabeth
725 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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
693 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Danielle
666 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Sarah
647 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Jamie
640 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1978

According to data from 1978, the most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania were Michael, Jason, Matthew, David, and Christopher. Michael was the most popular name with 4094 babies given that name. Jason and Matthew followed closely behind with 2695 and 2235 babies respectively. David and Christopher rounded out the top five with 2153 and 2100 babies given those names.

Michael

4094 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Jason

2695 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Matthew

2235 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
David

2153 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Christopher

2100 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
John
2086 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
James
2026 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
1840 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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
1806 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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
1612 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
1427 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
William
1411 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Thomas
1157 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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
1141 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Kevin
1082 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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".
Ryan
1065 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Eric
1018 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Jeffrey
996 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Joshua
972 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) 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.
Mark
933 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1978) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.