’80s Names for Your Child

The high child names of the Eighties are, like, completely so nice! Whereas the “me” decade was all about extra, it was additionally residence 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 children; likelihood is you in all probability have a handful of these names in your telephone contact checklist proper now. Among the high names nonetheless sit in the most well-liked 20 at the moment, 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, take a look at the highest child names of the Eighties.

In style ’80s Names for Boys

Michael

The 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: Reward from God
• Different Spellings & Variations: Micheal, Mike, Mykal, Mikel
• Well-known Namesakes: Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Michael Caine, Michael J. Fox
• Peak Reputation: 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 a giant 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 Reputation: 1994

Matthew

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

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

Joshua

The ‘80s was residence 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 Reputation: 2006

David

You in all probability know various Davids—what number of of them are Gen X or elder millennials?

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

James

James Spader was the final word ‘80s teen film dangerous 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 Reputation: 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 in the course of the ‘80s, but it surely didn’t peak till the 2000s! 

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

Robert

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

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

John

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

• Origin: Hebrew
• That means: God is gracious
• Different Spellings & Variations: Johnny, Jon, Jonathan
• Peak Reputation: 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 Reputation: 1917

Extra ’80s Names for Boys

• Jason: This Greek title, which suggests “healer,” was within the high 5 hottest names from 1973 to 1982, however has since departed the highest 50 checklist.
• Justin: The ‘80s gave rise to quite a lot of Justins, together with musician Justin Timberlake, who was born in 1981. 
• Andrew: This Greek title interprets to “sturdy” and “manly,” and might be shortened to Andy or Drew. One of the vital 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 the moment.
• Brandon: Brandon is one other well-liked ‘80s title presently experiencing a dip in recognition; it’s ranked exterior 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 the moment. 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.

In style ’80s Names for Women

Jessica

You’ll be able to’t speak about ‘80s names with out mentioning Jessica, the queen bee title of the last decade. It continued its recognition properly 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 Reputation: 1995
• Enjoyable Truth: Candy Valley Excessive’s twins had been named Jessica and Elizabeth, making them the right heroines of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Jennifer

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

• Origin: Welsh
• That means: Honest one
• Well-known Namesakes: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Aniston
• Peak Reputation: 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 track “Amanda.”

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

Ashley

One of the vital well-known Ashleys, Ashley Olsen, was born in 1986, and would change into 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 Reputation: 1992

Sarah

Sarah is an everlasting basic title selection 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 Reputation: 1993

Stephanie

Stephanie frolicked within the high 20 names checklist for almost 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 Reputation: 1987

Melissa

Melissa kicked off the ‘80s with a robust displaying because the second hottest title of the late ‘70s, but it surely dropped off the highest 100 checklist 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 Reputation: 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 checklist completely.

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

Elizabeth

Ever a basic, Elizabeth is the type of women’ title that actually by no means goes out of favor, and it held sturdy within the high 10 checklist within the 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 Reputation: 1905

Heather

There’s a cause the film was referred to 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 Reputation: 1975
• Enjoyable Truth: Heather is a flowering shrub with fairly pink and purple flowers.

Extra ’80s Names for Women

Tiffany: “I Assume We’re Alone Now” singer Tiffany in all probability 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, probably partly due to the Beatles track 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 might make a comeback.

Megan: The title Megan peaked in 1994, just some years after the beginning 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 may also be spelled Aimee or Amie.

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

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

Christina: Two very well-known Christinas, Aguilera and Milian, had been born within the early ‘80s. This basic first title may 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 revealed. The ebook kickstarted a return to the prep aesthetic with all its tweeds and layers.

Crystal: Crystal made an look within the high 20 checklist within the ‘80s, maybe partly due to Krystle Carrington on the massively well-liked Dynasty.