’80s Names for Your Child

The high child names of the Nineteen Eighties are, like, completely so nice! Whereas the “me” decade was all about extra, it was additionally house to some tremendous basic names for girls and boys…and a few that really feel extraordinarily ‘80s in hindsight. However hey, that’s a part of their allure! 

Within the ‘80s, Michael, Christopher, Jessica, and Jennifer reigned as the highest first names for a era of youngsters; chances are high you most likely have a handful of these names in your telephone contact listing proper now. A few of the high names nonetheless sit in the most well-liked 20 at present, whereas others have fallen out of style together with teased bangs and acid wash denim—though that doesn’t imply we’ll by no means see them make a comeback! 

Able to make a journey again in time to the ‘80s, no legwarmers or shoulder pads required? Under, try the highest child names of the Nineteen Eighties.

Common ’80s Names for Boys

Michael

The Nineteen Eighties was an amazing decade for well-known Michaels, with stars like Michael J. Fox and Michael Jackson dominating TV screens and radio stations.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Present from God
• Different Spellings & Variations: Micheal, Mike, Mykal, Mikel
• Well-known Namesakes: Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Michael Caine, Michael J. Fox
• Peak Recognition: 1998
• Enjoyable Truth: Save for the yr 1960, Michael was the number-one title for child boys from 1954 to 1998.

Christopher

Christopher wouldn’t peak till the early ‘90s, however was an enormous title for little boys for a second decade in a row. 

• Origin: Greek
• That means: Bearer of Christ
• Different Spellings & Variations: Kristofer, Kristoffer, Cristofer, Chris
• Well-known Namesakes: Christopher Plummer, Christopher Meloni, Christopher Walken, the Chrises 
• Peak Recognition: 1994

Matthew

One other holdover from the ‘70s, Matthew continued its reign within the ‘80s.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Present from God
• Different Spellings & Variations: Mathew, Matt
• Well-known Namesakes: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Broderick, Matthew Perry, Matt Damon, Matt LeBlanc
• Peak Recognition: 1996

Joshua

The ‘80s was house to an entire lotta Joshes and Joshuas.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: God is deliverance
• Different Spellings & Variations: Josh
• Well-known Namesakes: Josh Groban, Josh Brolin, Josh Duhamel, JC Chasez
• Peak Recognition: 2006

David

You most likely know quite a lot of Davids—what number of of them are Gen X or elder millennials?

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Beloved
• Different Spellings & Variations: Dave, Davey 
• Peak Recognition: 1960

James

James Spader was the final word ‘80s teen film unhealthy boy, stealing the present in his white go well with in Fairly in Pink.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Supplanter
• Different Spellings & Variations: Jamie, Jamey, Jaymes
• Well-known Namesakes: James Earl Jones, James Marsden, James Spader, James Dean
• Peak Recognition: 1952
• Enjoyable Truth: The title James hasn’t left the highest 20 hottest names since 1900.

Daniel

Whether or not they glided by Daniel, Dan, or Danny, Daniel was in good firm through the ‘80s, but it surely didn’t peak till the 2000s! 

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: God is my choose
• Different Spellings & Variations: Dan, Danny
• Well-known Namesakes: Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Craig, Daniel Day-Lewis, Daniel Tiger
• Peak Recognition: 2008

Robert

Actor Robert Downey Jr. rose to fame within the ‘80s, together with a job within the movie adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s Much less Than Zero.

• Origin: German
• That means: Shiny fame
• Different Spellings & Variations: Rob, Robbie, Robby, Bob, Bobby, Roberto
• Well-known Namesakes: Robert Redford, Robert Kennedy, Robert Pattinson
• Peak Recognition: 1953

John

Because of actor Jon Cryer, era after era falls in love along with his iconic Fairly in Pink character Duckie.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: God is gracious
• Different Spellings & Variations: Johnny, Jon, Jonathan
• Peak Recognition: 1923

Joseph

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: He’ll add 
• Different Spellings & Variations: Josef, Jozef, Joe, Joey
• Well-known Namesakes: Joseph Gordon Levitt, Joe Jonas, Joey Lawrence
• Peak Recognition: 1917

Extra ’80s Names for Boys

• Jason: This Greek title, which implies “healer,” was within the high 5 hottest names from 1973 to 1982, however has since departed the highest 50 listing.
• Justin: The ‘80s gave rise to loads of Justins, together with musician Justin Timberlake, who was born in 1981. 
• Andrew: This Greek title interprets to “robust” and “manly,” and will be shortened to Andy or Drew. One of the well-known Andrews of the ‘80s was Andrew McCarthy, a member of the Brat Pack who appeared in John Hughes’s Fairly in Pink.
• Ryan: Ryan is now seen as a gender impartial title, however within the ‘80s, it was a high 20 title for child boys. 
• William: Whether or not you’re William, Will, Billy, or Liam, this basic first title is flexible and timeless.
• Brian: Brian had a second all through the ‘70s and mid-’80s, however its use as a primary title dropped dramatically within the mid-2000s, and it doesn’t seem within the high 100 names at present.
• Brandon: Brandon is one other standard ‘80s title at present experiencing a dip in recognition; it’s ranked outdoors the highest 200 names for boys.
• Jonathan: Although this title ranked within the high 20 all through the ‘80s, it’s nonetheless fairly broadly used at present. In 2023, Jonathan was the 82nd hottest title for child boys within the U.S. 
• Nicholas: Nicholas ranked within the high 25 boys names within the ‘80s, but it surely didn’t peak till 1999. Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys was born proper as the last decade started, in January 1980.
• Anthony: One other basic fave, Anthony continues to carry its spot within the high 50 names.

Common ’80s Names for Ladies

Jessica

You’ll be able to’t discuss ‘80s names with out mentioning Jessica, the queen bee title of the last decade. It continued its recognition nicely into the ‘90s.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Imaginative and prescient, sight
• Different Spellings & Variations: Jessikah, Jessika, Jessie, Jess
• Well-known Namesakes: Jessica Lange, Jessica Alba, Jessica Chastain
• Peak Recognition: 1995
• Enjoyable Truth: Candy Valley Excessive’s twins have been named Jessica and Elizabeth, making them the right heroines of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Jennifer

After reigning because the number-one title by a lot of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Jennifer skilled a reasonably sharp drop in recognition; as of 2022, it ranks outdoors the highest 500.

• Origin: Welsh
• That means: Truthful one
• Well-known Namesakes: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Aniston
• Peak Recognition: 1984
• Enjoyable Truth: Jennifer is a spinoff of Guinevere, a.okay.a. King Arthur’s queen.

Amanda

In 1986, the rock band Boston wrote an ode to this title with their hit tune “Amanda.”

• Origin: Latin
• That means: Loveable
• Different Spellings & Variations: Mandy, Mandi
• Well-known Namesakes: Amanda Seyfried, Amanda Bynes
• Peak Recognition: 1980

Ashley

One of the well-known Ashleys, Ashley Olsen, was born in 1986, and would turn out to be an ‘80s and early ‘90s icon as Michelle Tanner in Full Home.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Ash tree meadow
• Different Spellings & Variations: Ashlie, Ashlee, Ashly 
• Well-known Namesakes: Ashley Olsen, Ashley Tisdale, Ashley Benson, Ashley Judd
• Peak Recognition: 1992

Sarah

Sarah is a permanent basic title alternative that hasn’t left the highest 100 names since 1900.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Princess
• Different Spellings & Variations: Sara
• Well-known Namesakes: Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Paulson, Sara Ramirez, Sarah McLachlan 
• Peak Recognition: 1993

Stephanie

Stephanie frolicked within the high 20 names listing for practically 30 years, beginning in 1969 and ending its reign in 1997.

• Origin: Greek
• That means: Crown
• Different Spellings & Variations: Stefanie, Steph 
• Well-known Namesakes: Stephanie Tanner, Stephanie Seymour
• Peak Recognition: 1987

Melissa

Melissa kicked off the ‘80s with a powerful exhibiting because the second hottest title of the late ‘70s, but it surely dropped off the highest 100 listing in 2005, although it continues to rank within the high 500 names.

• Origin: Greek
• That means: Honeybee
• Different Spellings & Variations: Missy, Mel
• Well-known Namesakes: Melissa Etheridge, Melissa McCarthy
• Peak Recognition: 1979
• Enjoyable Truth: Melissa can also be an herb, generally known as lemon balm.

Nicole

Nicole and its many nicknames had a second within the ‘80s, and was additionally a preferred center title. It has since departed the highest 100 listing solely.

• Origin: French, Greek
• That means: Victory of the folks
• Different Spellings & Variations: Nichole, Nikole, Nikki, Nicky, Necole
• Well-known Namesakes: Nicole Ari Parker, Nicole Kidman
• Peak Recognition: 1982

Elizabeth

Ever a basic, Elizabeth is the form of ladies’ title that actually by no means goes out of fashion, and it held robust within the high 10 listing within the Nineteen Eighties.

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: Oath of God
• Different Spellings & Variations: Liz, Betsy, Beth, Eliza, Elisabeth, Libby
• Well-known Namesakes: Elizabeth Taylor, Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth Olsen
• Peak Recognition: 1905

Heather

There’s a motive the film was known as Heathers; it was one of many greatest, hottest names of the ‘80s. Nonetheless, it took a nosedive after the last decade and hasn’t ranked within the high 500 names since 2009.

• Origin: British
• That means: Evergreen flowering plant
• Well-known Namesakes: Heather Locklear 
• Peak Recognition: 1975
• Enjoyable Truth: Heather is a flowering shrub with fairly pink and purple flowers.

Extra ’80s Names for Ladies

Tiffany: “I Suppose We’re Alone Now” singer Tiffany most likely contributed to the recognition of this primary title.

Michelle: Michelle, the female model of Michael, was a best choice all through the late ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, seemingly partially due to the Beatles tune of the identical title.

Amber: The title Amber peaked in 1986 and has since dropped out of the highest 500. Nonetheless, as gemstone-inspired names like Ruby and Opal proceed to rise in recognition, Amber could make a comeback.

Megan: The title Megan peaked in 1994, only a few years after the delivery of actress Megan Fox, who joined the world in 1986.

Amy : Amy’s recognition as a primary title peaked within the ‘70s, however continued trending all through the early ‘80s. It will also be spelled Aimee or Amie.

Rachel: Rachel frolicked within the high 20 names from 1983 till 2000, which is a reasonably robust run! 

Kimberly: One Kimberly Noel Kardashian was born in 1980 — perhaps you’ve heard of her?

Christina: Two very well-known Christinas, Aguilera and Milian, have been born within the early ‘80s. This basic first title will also be shortened to Chris, Chrissy, and Tina. 

Lauren: Lauren actually fits the preppy vibes of the ‘80s, the last decade by which the Unique Preppy Handbook was printed. The e-book kickstarted a return to the prep aesthetic with all its tweeds and layers.

Crystal: Crystal made an look within the high 20 listing within the ‘80s, maybe partially due to Krystle Carrington on the massively standard Dynasty.