Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1996

In the year 1996, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names for both boys and girls. According to the official records, Emily was the most popular name for baby girls, followed closely by Sarah and Jessica. These classic names have been popular for decades and continue to be beloved by parents in Pennsylvania and across the country.

For baby boys, Michael was the most commonly chosen name in Pennsylvania in 1996. This name has been a favorite for many years and remains a popular choice for parents today. Matthew and Tyler were also popular choices for baby boys in the state that year, reflecting a trend towards strong, traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Overall, the baby names chosen by parents in Pennsylvania in 1996 reflect a desire for classic, timeless names that have a long history of use and popularity. Whether it's Emily and Michael or Sarah and Matthew, these names continue to be beloved by parents and children alike.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1996

In Pennsylvania, 1996, the top 5 most popular baby girl names were Emily, Sarah, Jessica, Samantha, and Rachel. Emily was the most popular name with 1306 babies given that name, followed by Sarah with 1037 babies, Jessica with 1003 babies, Samantha with 991 babies, and Rachel with 897 babies.

Emily

1306 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Sarah

1037 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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

1003 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Samantha

991 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Rachel

897 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Ashley
880 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Taylor
832 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Amanda
761 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Hannah
749 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Megan
732 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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".
Alexis
705 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Elizabeth
676 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Kayla
664 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Nicole
658 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Lauren
643 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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
626 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Rebecca
591 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Brianna
575 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Brianna
The name Brianna is of Irish origin and is a variant of the name Brian. It is derived from the Gaelic word "brígh" which means "strength" or "virtue". Therefore, the name Brianna can be interpreted to mean "strong" or "virtuous".
Alyssa
573 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Madison
564 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1996

In Pennsylvania in 1996, the most popular baby boy name was Michael, with 1,950 babies given that name. Matthew came in second with 1,748 babies, followed by Tyler with 1,535 babies. Nicholas was the fourth most popular name with 1,477 babies, and Ryan came in fifth with 1,241 babies. These were the top five names for baby boys in Pennsylvania in 1996.

Michael

1950 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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

1748 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Tyler

1535 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Nicholas

1477 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Ryan

1241 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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
1201 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Christopher
1197 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Zachary
1196 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Jacob
1194 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
John
1156 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Joshua
1141 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Andrew
1137 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Daniel
1098 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Brandon
1090 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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".
Austin
995 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
David
985 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.
Anthony
945 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
James
939 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kyle
852 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) named Kyle
The name Kyle is of Scottish origin and means "narrow strait". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to boys. People with this name are often described as confident, charismatic, and adventurous.
William
825 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1996) 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.