Utah's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, Utah saw a surge in popular baby names. Jessica, Amanda, and Ashley topped the charts for baby girls, while Michael, Christopher, and Matthew were the most popular names for baby boys.

These names have remained popular over the years, with many parents still choosing them for their newborns. The state of Utah has a unique culture and tradition, and it's no surprise that these classic names continue to be a popular choice for parents in the Beehive State.

Most popular baby girl names in Utah in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in Utah were Jessica, Amanda, Ashley, Jennifer, and Megan. Jessica was the most popular name with 473 babies given that name, followed by Amanda with 383, Ashley with 373, Jennifer with 285, and Megan with 264. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Jessica

473 baby girls born in Utah (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

383 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Ashley

373 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Jennifer

285 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Megan

264 baby girls born in Utah (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".
Whitney
245 baby girls born in Utah (1986) named Whitney
Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".
Sarah
241 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Heather
229 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Stephanie
221 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Nicole
211 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Melissa
203 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Amber
191 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Rachel
185 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Brittany
183 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Emily
176 baby girls born in Utah (1986) 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.
Amy
168 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Kimberly
147 baby girls born in Utah (1986) 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.
Elizabeth
143 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Katie
140 baby girls born in Utah (1986) named Katie
The name Katie is a diminutive form of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of the name is unclear, but it is thought to possibly mean "pure" or "clear". It has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Michelle
140 baby girls born in Utah (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Utah in 1986

In Utah, 1986, Michael was the most popular name for baby boys, with a total of 555 babies receiving this name. Christopher came in second place with 435 babies given this name, followed by Matthew with 379 babies. Joshua was the fourth most popular name with 368 babies named Joshua, and David rounded out the top five with 365 babies receiving this name.

Michael

555 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Christopher

435 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew

379 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua

368 baby boys born in Utah (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.
David

365 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Ryan
335 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Tyler
331 baby boys born in Utah (1986) 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.
Andrew
327 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Daniel
314 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jason
265 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
James
254 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Justin
251 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Brandon
250 baby boys born in Utah (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".
Nicholas
236 baby boys born in Utah (1986) 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.
Jacob
222 baby boys born in Utah (1986) 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.
Robert
218 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Nathan
205 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named Nathan
The name Nathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by a prophet in the Old Testament.
Zachary
201 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Cody
200 baby boys born in Utah (1986) named Cody
The name Cody is of Irish origin and means "helper" or "cushion".
Kyle
196 baby boys born in Utah (1986) 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.