Most Popular Baby Names in 1981
In this article we'll look at what the most popular baby names were for the year 1981. These names are taken directly from the Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States.
The table below shows the top 250 most popular baby names in 1981, with a total count for the number of births registered with that given name.
You can also use the links below to research more about the most popular baby names.
Top 1000 most popular boy names: 1-250 | 251-500 | 501-750 | 751-1000
Top 1000 most popular girl names: 1-250 | 251-500 | 501-750 | 751-1000
|
Boys |
Girls |
| Rank |
Name |
Count |
Name |
Count |
| 1 |
Michael |
68,776 |
Jennifer |
57,049 |
| 2 |
Christopher |
50,239 |
Jessica |
42,537 |
| 3 |
Matthew |
43,336 |
Amanda |
34,373 |
| 4 |
Jason |
41,932 |
Sarah |
28,174 |
| 5 |
David |
40,671 |
Melissa |
28,003 |
| 6 |
Joshua |
39,052 |
Amy |
20,347 |
| 7 |
James |
38,315 |
Nicole |
20,314 |
| 8 |
John |
34,886 |
Stephanie |
20,211 |
| 9 |
Robert |
34,411 |
Elizabeth |
20,176 |
| 10 |
Daniel |
30,996 |
Heather |
17,946 |
| 11 |
Joseph |
30,776 |
Michelle |
17,777 |
| 12 |
Justin |
27,312 |
Rebecca |
16,738 |
| 13 |
Ryan |
26,824 |
Kimberly |
16,689 |
| 14 |
Brian |
26,599 |
Tiffany |
16,413 |
| 15 |
William |
24,806 |
Angela |
15,922 |
| 16 |
Jonathan |
22,603 |
Crystal |
15,883 |
| 17 |
Eric |
20,726 |
Christina |
14,397 |
| 18 |
Andrew |
20,237 |
Lisa |
14,294 |
| 19 |
Brandon |
20,218 |
Erin |
13,857 |
| 20 |
Adam |
20,040 |
Amber |
13,813 |
| 21 |
Nicholas |
19,780 |
Laura |
13,291 |
| 22 |
Jeremy |
19,118 |
Rachel |
12,588 |
| 23 |
Anthony |
18,583 |
Kelly |
11,876 |
| 24 |
Timothy |
18,230 |
Andrea |
11,684 |
| 25 |
Kevin |
17,462 |
April |
11,403 |
| 26 |
Thomas |
17,170 |
Sara |
11,358 |
| 27 |
Richard |
16,858 |
Mary |
11,044 |
| 28 |
Steven |
16,489 |
Jamie |
10,981 |
| 29 |
Jeffrey |
15,930 |
Emily |
10,802 |
| 30 |
Aaron |
14,697 |
Danielle |
10,039 |
| 31 |
Charles |
14,436 |
Kristin |
9,737 |
| 32 |
Benjamin |
14,361 |
Shannon |
9,228 |
| 33 |
Mark |
13,544 |
Megan |
8,967 |
| 34 |
Scott |
12,727 |
Ashley |
8,879 |
| 35 |
Paul |
11,778 |
Lauren |
8,814 |
| 36 |
Nathan |
11,264 |
Erica |
8,625 |
| 37 |
Jesse |
10,451 |
Julie |
8,565 |
| 38 |
Patrick |
10,389 |
Kristen |
8,542 |
| 39 |
Stephen |
10,300 |
Katherine |
8,436 |
| 40 |
Travis |
10,108 |
Maria |
7,678 |
| 41 |
Kenneth |
9,476 |
Brandy |
6,895 |
| 42 |
Dustin |
9,355 |
Christine |
6,854 |
| 43 |
Jacob |
9,351 |
Courtney |
6,638 |
| 44 |
Sean |
8,894 |
Katie |
6,600 |
| 45 |
Jose |
8,770 |
Tara |
6,367 |
| 46 |
Gregory |
8,757 |
Alicia |
5,855 |
| 47 |
Chad |
8,414 |
Lindsay |
5,845 |
| 48 |
Bryan |
7,219 |
Kathryn |
5,822 |
| 49 |
Shawn |
7,077 |
Monica |
5,783 |
| 50 |
Bradley |
6,897 |
Brandi |
5,526 |
| 51 |
Edward |
6,660 |
Samantha |
5,521 |
| 52 |
Kyle |
6,574 |
Brooke |
5,330 |
| 53 |
Derek |
6,481 |
Patricia |
5,283 |
| 54 |
Samuel |
6,039 |
Anna |
5,192 |
| 55 |
Peter |
6,003 |
Carrie |
5,094 |
| 56 |
Donald |
5,911 |
Leslie |
4,934 |
| 57 |
Jared |
5,866 |
Allison |
4,905 |
| 58 |
Keith |
5,619 |
Lindsey |
4,863 |
| 59 |
Ronald |
5,537 |
Cynthia |
4,857 |
| 60 |
Juan |
5,498 |
Natalie |
4,857 |
| 61 |
George |
5,159 |
Misty |
4,799 |
| 62 |
Gary |
4,947 |
Vanessa |
4,747 |
| 63 |
Zachary |
4,852 |
Holly |
4,565 |
| 64 |
Douglas |
4,791 |
Karen |
4,538 |
| 65 |
Joel |
4,541 |
Stacy |
4,480 |
| 66 |
Phillip |
4,541 |
Melanie |
4,475 |
| 67 |
Marcus |
4,510 |
Jacqueline |
4,336 |
| 68 |
Raymond |
4,366 |
Veronica |
4,314 |
| 69 |
Corey |
4,249 |
Latoya |
4,267 |
| 70 |
Alexander |
4,241 |
Susan |
4,248 |
| 71 |
Carlos |
4,185 |
Dana |
4,247 |
| 72 |
Craig |
4,095 |
Kristina |
4,061 |
| 73 |
Todd |
3,957 |
Catherine |
4,056 |
| 74 |
Larry |
3,954 |
Sandra |
4,035 |
| 75 |
Antonio |
3,924 |
Diana |
3,970 |
| 76 |
Erik |
3,923 |
Pamela |
3,884 |
| 77 |
Jeremiah |
3,895 |
Tracy |
3,868 |
| 78 |
Derrick |
3,850 |
Jill |
3,857 |
| 79 |
Brett |
3,774 |
Dawn |
3,838 |
| 80 |
Nathaniel |
3,721 |
Tina |
3,821 |
| 81 |
Shane |
3,713 |
Leah |
3,809 |
| 82 |
Frank |
3,639 |
Kathleen |
3,777 |
| 83 |
Dennis |
3,633 |
Stacey |
3,753 |
| 84 |
Philip |
3,579 |
Heidi |
3,737 |
| 85 |
Casey |
3,519 |
Natasha |
3,730 |
| 86 |
Shaun |
3,383 |
Candice |
3,697 |
| 87 |
Gabriel |
3,376 |
Victoria |
3,691 |
| 88 |
Lucas |
3,375 |
Julia |
3,670 |
| 89 |
Brent |
3,374 |
Valerie |
3,611 |
| 90 |
Cory |
3,359 |
Wendy |
3,609 |
| 91 |
Luis |
3,345 |
Lori |
3,478 |
| 92 |
Randy |
3,340 |
Tanya |
3,408 |
| 93 |
Jeffery |
3,335 |
Erika |
3,398 |
| 94 |
Curtis |
3,196 |
Kristy |
3,263 |
| 95 |
Seth |
3,139 |
Katrina |
3,259 |
| 96 |
Tyler |
3,121 |
Denise |
3,202 |
| 97 |
Jerry |
3,056 |
Teresa |
3,122 |
| 98 |
Russell |
3,048 |
Renee |
2,995 |
| 99 |
Wesley |
3,043 |
Theresa |
2,943 |
| 100 |
Luke |
3,019 |
Christy |
2,942 |
| 101 |
Ian |
2,932 |
Nancy |
2,911 |
| 102 |
Jordan |
2,923 |
Robin |
2,869 |
| 103 |
Billy |
2,883 |
Monique |
2,860 |
| 104 |
Victor |
2,843 |
Cassandra |
2,855 |
| 105 |
Terry |
2,815 |
Anne |
2,809 |
| 106 |
Carl |
2,791 |
Gina |
2,799 |
| 107 |
Vincent |
2,768 |
Margaret |
2,791 |
| 108 |
Jesus |
2,759 |
Melinda |
2,774 |
| 109 |
Mario |
2,716 |
Nichole |
2,772 |
| 110 |
Bobby |
2,659 |
Tonya |
2,755 |
| 111 |
Tony |
2,649 |
Linda |
2,729 |
| 112 |
Alan |
2,593 |
Brenda |
2,721 |
| 113 |
Johnny |
2,555 |
Alison |
2,703 |
| 114 |
Troy |
2,516 |
Bethany |
2,691 |
| 115 |
Adrian |
2,470 |
Tamara |
2,651 |
| 116 |
Miguel |
2,399 |
Meghan |
2,617 |
| 117 |
Ricardo |
2,362 |
Tammy |
2,586 |
| 118 |
Jamie |
2,356 |
Candace |
2,580 |
| 119 |
Cody |
2,327 |
Barbara |
2,530 |
| 120 |
Roger |
2,244 |
Sabrina |
2,496 |
| 121 |
Christian |
2,235 |
Kara |
2,438 |
| 122 |
Ricky |
2,220 |
Casey |
2,420 |
| 123 |
Lee |
2,212 |
Jenny |
2,402 |
| 124 |
Clinton |
2,207 |
Jaime |
2,385 |
| 125 |
Lawrence |
2,194 |
Beth |
2,309 |
| 126 |
Henry |
2,186 |
Kelli |
2,280 |
| 127 |
Martin |
2,154 |
Michele |
2,272 |
| 128 |
Jorge |
2,109 |
Miranda |
2,239 |
| 129 |
Jimmy |
2,097 |
Kristi |
2,206 |
| 130 |
Danny |
2,094 |
Sharon |
2,154 |
| 131 |
Allen |
2,062 |
Krystal |
2,133 |
| 132 |
Jon |
2,057 |
Rachael |
2,131 |
| 133 |
Andre |
2,055 |
Ann |
2,123 |
| 134 |
Marc |
2,050 |
Cheryl |
2,116 |
| 135 |
Rodney |
2,029 |
Molly |
2,089 |
| 136 |
Micheal |
2,021 |
Mandy |
2,088 |
| 137 |
Randall |
2,011 |
Jillian |
2,081 |
| 138 |
Walter |
1,990 |
Colleen |
2,069 |
| 139 |
Evan |
1,972 |
Latasha |
2,059 |
| 140 |
Mitchell |
1,966 |
Meredith |
2,047 |
| 141 |
Willie |
1,966 |
Tasha |
2,018 |
| 142 |
Manuel |
1,961 |
Alisha |
1,997 |
| 143 |
Brad |
1,958 |
Marie |
1,989 |
| 144 |
Francisco |
1,956 |
Carolyn |
1,958 |
| 145 |
Albert |
1,942 |
Kari |
1,954 |
| 146 |
Kristopher |
1,934 |
Deanna |
1,941 |
| 147 |
Roberto |
1,928 |
Tabitha |
1,919 |
| 148 |
Alex |
1,873 |
Rebekah |
1,906 |
| 149 |
Joe |
1,860 |
Deborah |
1,904 |
| 150 |
Isaac |
1,837 |
Bridget |
1,900 |
| 151 |
Louis |
1,807 |
Regina |
1,881 |
| 152 |
Arthur |
1,803 |
Kendra |
1,850 |
| 153 |
Jay |
1,784 |
Krista |
1,848 |
| 154 |
Gerald |
1,764 |
Mindy |
1,828 |
| 155 |
Trevor |
1,758 |
Joanna |
1,827 |
| 156 |
Wayne |
1,751 |
Abigail |
1,815 |
| 157 |
Roy |
1,725 |
Angel |
1,815 |
| 158 |
Johnathan |
1,711 |
Jaclyn |
1,808 |
| 159 |
Blake |
1,704 |
Virginia |
1,802 |
| 160 |
Lance |
1,685 |
Carla |
1,788 |
| 161 |
Jermaine |
1,681 |
Suzanne |
1,776 |
| 162 |
Maurice |
1,645 |
Morgan |
1,769 |
| 163 |
Jonathon |
1,643 |
Cindy |
1,747 |
| 164 |
Bruce |
1,635 |
Trisha |
1,726 |
| 165 |
Mathew |
1,626 |
Brittany |
1,714 |
| 166 |
Jack |
1,613 |
Donna |
1,700 |
| 167 |
Garrett |
1,498 |
Nina |
1,700 |
| 168 |
Alejandro |
1,490 |
Felicia |
1,630 |
| 169 |
Ruben |
1,473 |
Bonnie |
1,624 |
| 170 |
Frederick |
1,470 |
Joy |
1,622 |
| 171 |
Oscar |
1,465 |
Desiree |
1,607 |
| 172 |
Calvin |
1,457 |
Alexis |
1,585 |
| 173 |
Austin |
1,454 |
Jodi |
1,579 |
| 174 |
Omar |
1,436 |
Adrienne |
1,573 |
| 175 |
Caleb |
1,430 |
Martha |
1,572 |
| 176 |
Darren |
1,426 |
Janet |
1,568 |
| 177 |
Hector |
1,410 |
Yolanda |
1,565 |
| 178 |
Jaime |
1,410 |
Ebony |
1,554 |
| 179 |
Reginald |
1,409 |
Summer |
1,544 |
| 180 |
Noah |
1,400 |
Priscilla |
1,539 |
| 181 |
Ronnie |
1,370 |
Claudia |
1,531 |
| 182 |
Levi |
1,365 |
Aimee |
1,506 |
| 183 |
Jerome |
1,364 |
Angelica |
1,502 |
| 184 |
Darrell |
1,361 |
Autumn |
1,496 |
| 185 |
Barry |
1,350 |
Stefanie |
1,487 |
| 186 |
Clayton |
1,349 |
Paula |
1,480 |
| 187 |
Edwin |
1,333 |
Marissa |
1,450 |
| 188 |
Neil |
1,332 |
Carmen |
1,449 |
| 189 |
Cameron |
1,325 |
Ana |
1,440 |
| 190 |
Raul |
1,318 |
Hannah |
1,414 |
| 191 |
Eddie |
1,316 |
Jasmine |
1,400 |
| 192 |
Javier |
1,307 |
Kate |
1,397 |
| 193 |
Ernest |
1,305 |
Caroline |
1,391 |
| 194 |
Angel |
1,300 |
Lacey |
1,369 |
| 195 |
Terrance |
1,276 |
Robyn |
1,368 |
| 196 |
Jessie |
1,252 |
Jenna |
1,360 |
| 197 |
Dale |
1,250 |
Kristine |
1,360 |
| 198 |
Geoffrey |
1,245 |
Shawna |
1,358 |
| 199 |
Fernando |
1,243 |
Rhonda |
1,356 |
| 200 |
Ross |
1,241 |
Toni |
1,351 |
| 201 |
Colin |
1,227 |
Cristina |
1,347 |
| 202 |
Pedro |
1,227 |
Debra |
1,342 |
| 203 |
Sergio |
1,223 |
Janelle |
1,317 |
| 204 |
Rafael |
1,213 |
Whitney |
1,302 |
| 205 |
Tommy |
1,213 |
Audrey |
1,285 |
| 206 |
Tyrone |
1,211 |
Diane |
1,271 |
| 207 |
Shannon |
1,204 |
Ruth |
1,267 |
| 208 |
Leonard |
1,192 |
Sherry |
1,266 |
| 209 |
Kelly |
1,182 |
Cara |
1,261 |
| 210 |
Clifford |
1,178 |
Shanna |
1,255 |
| 211 |
Eugene |
1,173 |
Sophia |
1,235 |
| 212 |
Marvin |
1,170 |
Shelly |
1,229 |
| 213 |
Micah |
1,169 |
Rosa |
1,225 |
| 214 |
Kurt |
1,161 |
Cassie |
1,224 |
| 215 |
Brendan |
1,158 |
Laurie |
1,224 |
| 216 |
Clint |
1,145 |
Naomi |
1,224 |
| 217 |
Ramon |
1,137 |
Sheila |
1,214 |
| 218 |
Theodore |
1,134 |
Abby |
1,211 |
| 219 |
Armando |
1,125 |
Jessie |
1,210 |
| 220 |
Steve |
1,115 |
Alexandra |
1,205 |
| 221 |
Glenn |
1,107 |
Tamika |
1,187 |
| 222 |
Grant |
1,100 |
Kellie |
1,177 |
| 223 |
Harold |
1,099 |
Melody |
1,176 |
| 224 |
Terrence |
1,077 |
Marisa |
1,168 |
| 225 |
Joey |
1,072 |
Jacquelyn |
1,148 |
| 226 |
Karl |
1,063 |
Sonya |
1,137 |
| 227 |
Melvin |
1,051 |
Sonia |
1,131 |
| 228 |
Damien |
1,037 |
Alyssa |
1,129 |
| 229 |
Beau |
1,027 |
Gloria |
1,109 |
| 230 |
Stanley |
1,016 |
Leigh |
1,100 |
| 231 |
Dominic |
1,013 |
Rose |
1,096 |
| 232 |
Dwayne |
1,010 |
Jeanette |
1,088 |
| 233 |
Jarrod |
1,006 |
Yvonne |
1,082 |
| 234 |
Ivan |
1,002 |
Terri |
1,067 |
| 235 |
Byron |
996 |
Stacie |
1,062 |
| 236 |
Francis |
973 |
Anita |
1,057 |
| 237 |
Andy |
969 |
Adriana |
1,045 |
| 238 |
Eduardo |
944 |
Carol |
1,044 |
| 239 |
Darryl |
937 |
Tracey |
1,038 |
| 240 |
Edgar |
934 |
Nikki |
1,036 |
| 241 |
Alberto |
932 |
Leticia |
1,036 |
| 242 |
Drew |
917 |
Christie |
1,031 |
| 243 |
Cesar |
915 |
Evelyn |
1,030 |
| 244 |
Cedric |
910 |
Olivia |
1,029 |
| 245 |
Tyson |
908 |
Kerri |
1,024 |
| 246 |
Marco |
904 |
Tia |
1,010 |
| 247 |
Ralph |
897 |
Sylvia |
1,008 |
| 248 |
Nicolas |
895 |
Charlene |
1,003 |
| 249 |
Julio |
888 |
Keri |
999 |
| 250 |
Erick |
874 |
Becky |
993 |
What's in a (Popular) Name?
How do we know which baby names are hot each year? It's simple! The Social Security Administration collects data as parents register their newborns for a Social Security card. So, instead of waiting for the 10-year census, we get an annual update on the trending names!
Popular Baby Names vs. Popular First Names: Any Differences?
If you're wondering why the most popular baby names and the most popular first names aren't the same, remember: first names include everyone, not just babies. With 16.5% of the population over 65, names popular in their generation, like 'Tyson' or 'Tia', still top the charts. As the birth rate declines, we won't see baby names like 'Michael' or 'Jennifer' topping the overall popular names list until the Baby Boomer generation decreases significantly.
What Factors Influence Baby Name Popularity?
Ever wondered how a name like 'Jason' or 'Stephanie' hits the charts? It's not an exact science, but here are some cool factors:
Celebrity Influence
Americans adore their stars! A favorite celeb can influence baby names, so if you see more little 'Matthews' or 'Jessicas' running around, you might have a Hollywood A-lister to thank!
Character-Inspired Names
Bookworms and movie buffs often name their kids after beloved characters. If 'David' or 'Nicole' sound familiar, check out the latest bestseller or box-office hit!
Following the Trend
We humans are trend-followers. So, if a friend's baby 'Joshua' or 'Elizabeth' has a cute ring to it, don't be surprised if it catches on!
The Power of Recall
Names heard repeatedly stick in our minds. So if 'Daniel' or 'Sarah' are on repeat, you'll likely see them in the baby name charts.
Family Tradition
Some names like 'James' or 'Kimberly' stand the test of time, thanks to the tradition of naming babies after older relatives.
Religion and Politics
Religious texts and political figures inspire many parents. Evergreen choices like 'John' or 'Amy' show the lasting impact of religion and politics on baby names.
So, while we can't always predict why a name like 'Robert' or 'Sara' becomes popular, these factors give us some fun insights into the ever-changing landscape of baby names!
Historical Data for Baby Names
If you're interested to see how the trends and popularity of baby names have changed, you can use the links below to view the historical data by decade.
Most popular first names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010
Most popular boy names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010
Most popular girl names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010
Data Source(s)
All of the data on this page is sourced from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and excludes any names with fewer than 5 occurrences in any geographic area.
Link To or Reference This Page
We spent a lot of time downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.
If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!
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<a href="https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-1981/">Most Popular Baby Names in 1981</a>
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"Most Popular Baby Names in 1981". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 26, 2024. https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-1981/.
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"Most Popular Baby Names in 1981". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-1981/. Accessed 26 April, 2024
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Most Popular Baby Names in 1981. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-1981/.