Washington's most popular baby names in 1985

In the year 1985, the state of Washington saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top three names were Jessica, Jennifer, and Ashley. These names were incredibly popular throughout the United States during the 1980s, and it seems that Washington was no exception. Jessica, in particular, was a favorite among parents, likely due to the popularity of the television show "Jessica Fletcher" during this time.

For baby boys, the top three names were Christopher, Michael, and Joshua. These names were also incredibly popular across the country during the 1980s. Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," had been a popular name for centuries, while Michael, meaning "who is like God," has been a favorite among parents for decades. Joshua, meaning "God is salvation," was a newer name to the top of the charts, but quickly gained popularity.

Overall, it seems that parents in Washington during the year 1985 were drawn to traditional, yet trendy names for their babies. These names have continued to be popular in the decades since, proving that they truly stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Washington in 1985

In Washington state in 1985, the most popular baby girl names were Jessica with 843 occurrences, followed closely by Jennifer with 808 occurrences. Ashley was the third most popular name with 710 occurrences, while Amanda came in fourth with 702 occurrences. The fifth most popular name for baby girls in Washington state in 1985 was Sarah with 576 occurrences.

Jessica

843 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Jennifer

808 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Ashley

710 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Amanda

702 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Sarah

576 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Nicole
488 baby girls born in Washington (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
427 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Megan
405 baby girls born in Washington (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".
Rachel
386 baby girls born in Washington (1985) 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.
Elizabeth
375 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Heather
372 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Melissa
362 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Amber
317 baby girls born in Washington (1985) 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.
Danielle
316 baby girls born in Washington (1985) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Michelle
313 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Emily
298 baby girls born in Washington (1985) 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
294 baby girls born in Washington (1985) 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.
Laura
277 baby girls born in Washington (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
268 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Rebecca
267 baby girls born in Washington (1985) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Washington in 1985

In Washington state in 1985, the most popular baby boy names were Christopher, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, and Ryan. Christopher was the most popular name with 1043 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 1016 babies. Joshua, Matthew, and Ryan rounded out the top five with 854, 850, and 736 babies given those names, respectively.

Christopher

1043 baby boys born in Washington (1985) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael

1016 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Joshua

854 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Matthew

850 baby boys born in Washington (1985) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Ryan

736 baby boys born in Washington (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.
David
728 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Andrew
640 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Daniel
597 baby boys born in Washington (1985) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nicholas
574 baby boys born in Washington (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.
James
537 baby boys born in Washington (1985) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brandon
532 baby boys born in Washington (1985) 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".
Kyle
522 baby boys born in Washington (1985) 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.
Joseph
508 baby boys born in Washington (1985) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Robert
484 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Jason
469 baby boys born in Washington (1985) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Justin
450 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Tyler
429 baby boys born in Washington (1985) 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.
John
412 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Brian
400 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Jacob
392 baby boys born in Washington (1985) 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.