Wisconsin's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, the state of Wisconsin saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Jessica, and Sarah topped the charts as the most popular names given to newborns. Jennifer, which has been a popular name for decades, remained a favorite among parents in Wisconsin. Jessica, a name that gained popularity in the 80s, was also a top choice. Sarah, a classic name with biblical roots, rounded out the top three.

For baby boys, Michael, Matthew, and Joshua were the most popular names in Wisconsin in 1981. Michael, a name that has consistently been one of the most popular boy names for decades, held strong as the top choice for parents in the state. Matthew, a name that has been around for centuries, also remained a popular choice. Joshua, a name that gained popularity in the 80s, rounded out the top three. These names reflect the trends and preferences of parents in Wisconsin during this time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin were Jennifer, Jessica, Sarah, Amanda, and Nicole. Jennifer was the most popular name with 1410 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 1114 babies. Sarah was the third most popular name with 971 babies, followed by Amanda with 887 babies and Nicole with 761 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

  1. Jennifer

    1410 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  2. Jessica

    1114 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  3. Sarah

    971 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  4. Amanda

    887 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  5. Nicole

    761 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  6. Melissa

    727 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  7. Amy

    627 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  8. Rebecca

    530 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  9. Angela

    512 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  10. Sara

    477 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) named Sara

    The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.

  11. Elizabeth

    468 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  12. Michelle

    448 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  13. Stephanie

    443 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  14. Kelly

    437 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  15. Erin

    404 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  16. Heather

    400 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

  17. Katie

    383 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  18. Lisa

    383 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  19. Rachel

    352 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  20. Laura

    352 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Wisconsin in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby boy names in Wisconsin were Michael, Matthew, Joshua, Jason, and Ryan. Michael was the most popular name with 1429 babies being given this name. Matthew was the second most popular name with 1274 babies receiving it. Joshua, Jason, and Ryan were also popular names with 1013, 970, and 964 babies being named after them respectively.

  1. Michael

    1429 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  2. Matthew

    1274 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  3. Joshua

    1013 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  4. Jason

    970 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  5. Ryan

    964 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  6. Christopher

    878 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  7. Andrew

    830 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  8. Adam

    766 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Adam

    The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.

  9. Daniel

    750 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  10. David

    739 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  11. Joseph

    706 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  12. Nicholas

    704 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  13. Justin

    686 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  14. Eric

    640 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) 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.

  15. Benjamin

    615 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Benjamin

    The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.

  16. Brian

    596 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  17. John

    580 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  18. Robert

    565 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.

  19. James

    564 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  20. Jeremy

    530 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1981) named Jeremy

    The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".