Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, the state of Pennsylvania saw an increase in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer was the most popular name, followed closely by Jessica and Amanda. These names were likely inspired by popular culture icons of the time, such as Jennifer Beals from Flashdance and Jessica Lange from Tootsie.

For baby boys, Michael was the most popular name in Pennsylvania in 1981. Matthew and Jason followed closely behind. These names were likely influenced by popular sports figures of the time, such as Michael Jordan and Jason Kidd.

Overall, the top baby names in Pennsylvania in 1981 reflected the cultural trends and influences of the time. These names continue to be popular today, though some have fallen out of favor as new names have emerged.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1981

In 1981, Jennifer was the most popular baby girl name in Pennsylvania with 2820 babies being named Jennifer. Jessica came in second with 2287 babies being named Jessica, followed by Amanda with 1536 babies, Melissa with 1493 babies, and Nicole with 1359 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1981.

Jennifer

2820 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Jessica

2287 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Amanda

1536 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Melissa

1493 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Nicole

1359 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Sarah
1130 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Amy
1124 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Heather
1061 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Rebecca
983 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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
935 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Elizabeth
903 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Michelle
834 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Kelly
819 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Erin
818 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Lisa
810 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1981) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Lauren
761 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Kimberly
715 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Laura
698 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Christina
691 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Danielle
684 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1981) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1981

According to records from Pennsylvania in 1981, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Jason, Christopher, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 4035 babies given that name, followed by Matthew with 2762 babies. Jason, Christopher, and David were also popular names with 2285, 2148, and 2071 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen by parents for their popularity, traditional sound, or personal significance.

Michael

4035 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Matthew

2762 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jason

2285 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

2148 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

2071 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
John
1971 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Joseph
1901 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
James
1894 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
1872 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Joshua
1727 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Daniel
1559 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Justin
1542 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Brian
1527 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Ryan
1495 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
William
1391 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Andrew
1118 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Thomas
1101 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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
1074 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Jonathan
1071 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.
Eric
1056 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1981) 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.