South carolina's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, South Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer was the most popular name, followed closely by Amanda and Jessica. These names were all the rage in the state, with parents opting for traditional and timeless monikers for their little ones.

For baby boys, James was the top pick, with Michael and Christopher following closely behind. These names exuded strength and masculinity, and were a popular choice for parents looking for classic and strong names for their sons. Overall, the top baby names in South Carolina in 1981 showcased a preference for traditional and timeless names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in South carolina in 1981

In South Carolina in 1981, the top 5 most popular baby girl names were Jennifer with 744 occurrences, followed by Amanda with 584, Jessica with 533, Crystal with 379, and Kimberly with 321.

Jennifer

744 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Amanda

584 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Jessica

533 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Crystal

379 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named Crystal
The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.
Kimberly

321 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Melissa
286 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Stephanie
286 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Tiffany
275 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
April
261 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named April
April is a feminine given name that is derived from the name of the fourth month of the year. The name April has no specific meaning beyond being associated with the spring season in which the month of April falls.
Heather
260 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Ashley
254 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) 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.
Elizabeth
250 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Angela
246 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Mary
225 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Amy
204 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Sarah
193 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Latoya
178 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named Latoya
The name Latoya is of American origin and its meaning is "victorious one" or "woman who is victorious".
Brandy
171 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named Brandy
The name Brandy is of English origin and is derived from the alcoholic beverage brandy. The meaning of the name is not related to the drink, but rather is thought to come from the Old Norse name Brandr, meaning "firebrand" or "sword".
Rebecca
169 baby girls born in South carolina (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.
Shannon
159 baby girls born in South carolina (1981) named Shannon
The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

Most popular baby boy names in South carolina in 1981

In South Carolina in 1981, the most popular baby boy names were James, Michael, Christopher, William, and Jason. James was the most popular with 764 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 738 babies. Christopher came in third with 701 babies, while William and Jason rounded out the top five with 581 and 560 babies respectively.

James

764 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

738 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Christopher

701 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
William

581 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Jason

560 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
John
530 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Joshua
503 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Robert
478 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
David
467 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Matthew
392 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jonathan
363 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Charles
362 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Joseph
349 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Travis
339 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named Travis
The name Travis is of English origin, and its meaning is "crossing or tollgate". It was originally an occupational name for someone who collected tolls at a bridge or river crossing.
Brian
288 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Justin
285 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Brandon
270 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) 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".
Thomas
270 baby boys born in South carolina (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.
Daniel
260 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kevin
249 baby boys born in South carolina (1981) 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".