Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda. These names were widely used and were a popular choice among parents in the state. Ashley, in particular, was an extremely popular name that year, and it remained so for several years to come.

For baby boys, the top names in Pennsylvania in 1986 were Michael, Matthew, and Christopher. These names were very common and were chosen by many parents for their newborn sons. Michael was the most popular name that year, and it continued to be a popular choice for parents for many years.

Overall, the year 1986 saw a trend towards traditional and classic names for both baby girls and boys in Pennsylvania. These names have continued to be popular choices for parents over the years, and many of them remain in use today.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Jennifer, and Nicole. Ashley was the most popular name with 2397 babies given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 2340. Amanda was the third most popular name with 2117 babies given that name, while Jennifer and Nicole rounded out the top five with 1540 and 1407 babies given those names, respectively.

Ashley

2397 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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

2340 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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

2117 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Jennifer

1540 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Nicole

1407 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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
1292 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Lauren
1127 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Megan
1020 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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
1018 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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
902 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Elizabeth
873 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Danielle
844 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Melissa
837 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Brittany
837 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Laura
800 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Amber
756 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Kelly
747 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Rachel
718 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.
Samantha
677 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Amy
659 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1986

In Pennsylvania in 1986, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, David, and Daniel. Michael was the most popular name with 3633 babies given that name, followed by Matthew with 2701 babies. Christopher, David, and Daniel were also popular choices, with 2338, 1825, and 1812 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

3633 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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

2701 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

2338 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

1825 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Daniel

1812 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Andrew
1808 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Joseph
1673 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Ryan
1638 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Joshua
1637 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
John
1630 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Robert
1624 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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
1568 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Justin
1289 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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
1253 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
William
1201 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.
Kevin
1117 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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".
Jason
1108 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Anthony
1102 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Brandon
1063 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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".
Jonathan
1049 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1986) 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.