200+ Popular Baby Names in 1980
Affiliate links may be used in this post and if so I will receive a commission at no extra cost. I’m also part of the Amazon Affiliate (Associate) program where I earn a commission from sales made through my affiliate links. Read the full disclosure policy.
Last Updated on 06/07/2024 by Nell Marie
The 80s were full of big hair, bright makeup, amazing music, and baby names we’ll discuss in this article! So, let’s chat popular baby names in 1980, shall we?
You’ll find the top 50 most popular names of 1980 and 1988 for boys and girls but we go over less popular names from those years as well.
I think you’re gonna love this article full of amazing name options to consider for your baby.
So, let’s get to it!
| More Baby Names |
| Popular Baby Names of the 1990s |
| Hundreds of First and Middle Names for Girls |
| Country Baby Boy Names |
| Anime Boy Names |
| Middle Names for Arlo |
| Strong Boy Names |
Pin It
Popular Baby Names in 1980
In this list, you’ll find the top 50 names of 1980 and 1988 for boys and girls.
Scroll farther down to find less popular names from the 80s!
Top 50 Girl Names from 1980
Jennifer
Amanda
Jessica
Melissa
Sarah
Heather
Nicole
Amy
Elizabeth
Michelle
Kimberly
Angela
Stephanie
Tiffany
Christina
Lisa
Rebecca
Crystal
Kelly
Erin
Laura
Amber
Rachel
Jamie
Mary
April
Sarah
Andrea
Shannon
Megan
Emily
Julie
Danielle
Erica
Katherine
Maria
Kristin
Lauren
Kristen
Ashley
Christine
Brandy
Tara
Katie
Monica
Carrie
Alicia
Courtney
Misty
Kathryn
Top 50 Boy Names from 1980
Michael
Christopher
Jason
David
James
Matthew
Joshua
John
Robert
Joseph
Daniel
Brian
Justin
William
Ryan
Eric
Nicholas
Jeremy
Andrew
Timothy
Jonathan
Adam
Kevin
Anthony
Thomas
Richard
Jeffrey
Steven
Charles
Brandon
Mark
Benjamin
Scott
Aaron
Paul
Nathan
Travis
Patrick
Chad
Stephen
Kenneth
Gregory
Jacob
Dustin
Jesse
Joseph
Shawn
Sean
Bryan
Derek
Top 50 Girl Names in 1988
Jessica
Ashley
Amanda
Sarah
Jennifer
Brittany
Stephanie
Samantha
Nicole
Elizabeth
Lauren
Megan
Tiffany
Heather
Amber
Melissa
Danielle
Emily
Rachel
Kayla
Michelle
Christina
Laura
Courtney
Kimberly
Rebecca
Katherine
Crystal
Amy
Sarah
Erica
Kelly
Chelsea
Mary
Andrea
Kristen
Erin
Angela
Whitney
Katie
Vanessa
Victoria
Lisa
Caitlin
Jamie
Allison
Alyssa
Lindsey
Alexandra
Alicia
Top 50 Boy Names of 1988
Michael
Christopher
Matthew
Joshua
Andrew
David
Justin
Daniel
James
Robert
John
Joseph
Ryan
Nicholas
Jonathan
Willian
Brandon
Anthony
Eric
Kevin
Kyle
Brian
Thomas
Steven
Timothy
Adam
Jason
Jacob
Zachary
Benjamin
Aaron
Richard
Tyler
Alexander
Jeremy
Jeffrey
Charles
Sean
Mark
Ste[hen
Travis
Patrick
Cody
Nathan
Samual
Paul
Scott
Dustin
Jose
Gregory
Less Popular Names from 1980 – Girls and Boys
In this list, you’ll find names outside of the top 50 from the year 1980.
Let’s start with the girls!
Less Popular Girl Names from 1980
#128: Miranda
#131: Mindy
#160: Virginia
#166: Bonnie
#180: Autumn
#194: Janelle (middle names for Janelle, meaning of the name Janelle)
#207: Ruth
#212: Audrey
#213: Hannah
#233: Adriana
#239: Charlene
#296: Chasity
#321: Rochelle
#335: Beverly
#371: Sasha
#373: Elisha
Less Popular Boy Names of 1980
#204: Colin
#215: Cameron
#224: Dwayne
#247: Heath
#248: Leon
#627: Dean
#268: Warren
#280: Julian
#291: Morgan
#328: Trent
#340: Brady
#367: Leo
#382: Graham
#437: Trenton
#439: Rory
#449: Donovan
#462: Elliott
Less Popular Girl Names from 1988
#128: Miranda
#133: Molly
#135: Casey
#151: Alisha
#153: Carla
#159: Summer
#164: Felicia
#176: Abigail
#199: Melody
#207: Ruth
#225: Rose
#231: Tia
#260: Ellen
#268: Abby
#292: Charlotte
#299: Connie
#418: Daisy
#423: Audra
Less Popular Boy Names of 1988
#190: Eugene
#191: Garrett
#198: Dale
#203: Beau
#213: Jarrod
#217: Grant
#229: Ross
#296: Brock
#346: Quincy
#389: Carlton
#419: Waylon
#573: Hugh
#618: Weston
Tips for Choosing a Baby Name
Choosing a baby name is a big deal!
Start by thinking about what’s important to you—like family connections or cultural roots.
Make sure the name is easy to say and spell, and think about any cute nicknames it might have.
Look for inspiration in books, online, or from people you know.
Trust your gut and pick a name that feels right for your little one—it’s all about finding something that clicks for you and your family!
Choosing a Name: Wrapped Up
- Consider family traditions and cultural significance.
- Ensure the name is easy to pronounce and spell.
- Think about potential nicknames and how they sound with the full name.
- Seek inspiration from baby name books, websites, and discussions with friends and family.
- Trust your instincts and choose a name that feels right for your child and your family.
Wrapping it Up: 1980s Baby Names
The baby names of the 1980s reflect a diverse mix of influences, from popular culture to traditional family names.
This decade witnessed a surge in creativity and individuality, with parents often opting for unique or unconventional names for their children.
While certain names enjoyed widespread popularity during this time, others remained timeless classics.
Ultimately, the baby names of the 1980s capture the spirit of the era and serve as a nostalgic reminder of the trends and values that shaped a generation.
