Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1988

In the year 1988, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Ashley, Amanda, and Jessica. These names were likely inspired by popular culture at the time, as the late 80s saw the rise of actresses like Ashley Judd and Jessica Lange. The names also have a timeless quality to them, making them still popular choices for parents today.

For baby boys, the most popular names in Pennsylvania in 1988 were Michael, Matthew, and Christopher. These names have a strong, classic feel to them that has stood the test of time. Michael, in particular, has been a popular name for boys for decades, likely due to its biblical origins and association with strength and leadership.

Overall, the baby names that were most popular in Pennsylvania in 1988 reflect a mix of modern influences and timeless traditions. Whether parents were drawn to the popular culture of the time or simply loved the sound and meaning of these names, they continue to be popular choices for new parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1988

In Pennsylvania, 1988, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Amanda, Jessica, Nicole, and Sarah. Ashley was the most popular name with 2299 babies named Ashley that year, followed by Amanda with 2131 babies, and Jessica with 2066 babies. Nicole and Sarah were also popular names with 1386 and 1333 babies named respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends during that time.

Ashley

2299 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Amanda

2131 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Jessica

2066 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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

1386 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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

1333 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Jennifer
1181 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Lauren
1168 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Brittany
1132 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Samantha
1038 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Stephanie
1015 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Danielle
937 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Megan
934 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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".
Elizabeth
840 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Tiffany
815 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Heather
810 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Emily
803 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Melissa
789 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Rachel
750 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Rebecca
686 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Amber
664 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1988

In Pennsylvania in 1988, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, Andrew, and Joshua. Michael was the most popular name with 3444 babies given that name, followed by Matthew with 2677 babies. Christopher, Andrew, and Joshua were also popular names, with 2120, 1930, and 1866 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

3444 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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

2677 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

2120 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Andrew

1930 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Joshua

1866 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
David
1730 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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
1711 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
1635 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
John
1583 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Justin
1580 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
James
1564 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Ryan
1552 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Joseph
1544 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Nicholas
1189 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
William
1172 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Anthony
1161 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Brian
1115 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Thomas
1072 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.
Kevin
1048 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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".
Jonathan
1020 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1988) 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.