When choosing a baby name, the name-choosing process is different for all parents. Some mom or dads have had names chosen for years, while others wait until the baby is born to give him or her a birth name. When it comes to picking something perfect for your little bundle of joy, you’re going to want to do your research. A good place to start is popular baby name archives.
However, don’t be afraid to kick it back a couple of decades! You never know what could catch your eye. Here are some of the most popular baby names of the 1980s.
The top 10 names
For girls and boys alike, the top most popular names may not come as a surprise to you. If you were born in or around the ’80s, you, your siblings or your friends may have one of these names. Both lists contain names that are traditional, common and timeless. They’re great choices for a parent who wants to name their little one something that will never go out of style.
Here are the most popular girls’ names of the ’80s, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration:
Here are the top 10 for boys’ names:
Baby-naming trends
It’s no secret the public is influenced by pop culture – and baby names are, too. During the 1980s, there were lots of television shows or movies that gave parents inspiration for their little ones. For instance, the John Hughes film “The Breakfast Club” was released in 1985. Some of the names of the characters top the list, like “the basket case” Allison (No. 50), “the jock” Andrew (No. 13) and “the nerd” Brian (No. 16).
But that wasn’t the only John Hughes film inspiring parents. Two names from his successful movie “Sixteen Candles” were also on the lists, including Samantha (No. 26) and Michael (No. 1). However, don’t limit yourself to the lists. Name your little one Claire after Molly Ringwald’s character in “The Breakfast Club,” or give your little boy the name Jake or Ryan after the heartthrob in “Sixteen Candles” whose name is Jake Ryan.
Generational names
For some, keeping names in the family is important. For example, many families name the first-born male the same as the father and his father before – just by adding a numeral to the end like William II (No. 15) or Kevin III (23). If you’re looking for a baby name for your boy or girl, start by looking at both parents’ family trees. You could choose a name of a great-great-aunt or great-great-uncle for your little one. That way, you could pick something that is beautiful and embodies your family’s heritage. Down the road, your family can tell stories about the late relative who your kid is named after. He or she will love to know where the name comes from.
