Rhode island's most popular baby names in 1985

In the year 1985, the state of Rhode Island saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Amanda, Jessica, and Ashley. These names were popular not just in Rhode Island, but across the United States as well. Amanda, which means "worthy of love," was a particularly popular choice, perhaps due to its timeless appeal.

For baby boys, the top names in Rhode Island were Michael, Christopher, and Matthew. Michael, which means "who is like God," has been a popular name for boys for centuries. Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ," is another classic name that has remained popular over the years. And Matthew, which means "gift of God," rounds out the top three names for baby boys in Rhode Island in 1985.

Overall, the baby names popular in Rhode Island in 1985 reflect a mix of classic and modern names that have stood the test of time. Whether parents were looking for a name with a timeless appeal or a more modern twist, there was something for everyone in the top baby names of that year.

Most popular baby girl names in Rhode island in 1985

In 1985, the most popular baby girl names in Rhode Island were Amanda, Jessica, Ashley, Jennifer, and Nicole. Amanda was the most popular name with 199 babies being named that, followed by Jessica with 192 babies, Ashley with 183 babies, Jennifer with 175 babies, and Nicole with 135 babies. These names were likely popular due to their popularity in the wider United States and their association with popular culture at the time.

Amanda

199 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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

192 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Ashley

183 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Jennifer

175 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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

135 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Stephanie
128 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Sarah
106 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Melissa
88 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Heather
83 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Lauren
82 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Danielle
77 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Elizabeth
72 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Laura
67 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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
66 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Megan
64 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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".
Kelly
61 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Meghan
59 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) named Meghan
The name Meghan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl".
Michelle
57 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Kimberly
56 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Erin
56 baby girls born in Rhode island (1985) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Rhode island in 1985

In Rhode Island, 1985, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Joseph, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 346 babies given that name, followed by Christopher with 264 babies, Matthew with 251 babies, Joseph with 187 babies, and David with 170 babies.

Michael

346 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Christopher

264 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew

251 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joseph

187 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
David

170 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Ryan
159 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Robert
153 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Andrew
148 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Nicholas
148 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Joshua
142 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
James
139 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Daniel
138 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
John
136 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Jason
122 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Eric
112 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Brian
108 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Jonathan
102 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
Justin
99 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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.
William
98 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) 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
91 baby boys born in Rhode island (1985) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".