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Baby names that were most popular around 1981. Browse the full list below, organized by gender, with meanings and origins for each name.

Quick facts: names popular in 1981

  • 4,259 names in our database peaked in popularity around 1981
  • 3,087 girl names and 1,646 boy names are associated with 1981
  • 1981 sits between the vintage revival window and today's trends
  • Nearby years with similar naming trends: 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983

Popular Girl Names 1981

167 girl names that peaked in popularity around 1981

#188
Hebrew
princess
#201
Spain
Spanish
#202
American
gift
#220
Israel
breath or vapor
#239
Spain
new house
#244
Arabic↑ Rising
Hebrew
#249
Latin
male; brave; warlike
#254
English
A narrow road or pathway
#264
American
young horse
#271
English↑ Rising
the people's ruler
#276
Spanish
farmer
#297
Spain
Free man
#305
American
Irish
#327
French
Victory of the people
#330
Greece
To tame
#343
English
יָרֵד
#344
Spain
Adventurous traveler.
#379
American
English
#420
Hebrew↑ Rising
God is my oath
#428
Iran↑ Rising
king
#451
American↑ Rising
The name is derived from the holly tree, symbolizing protection and peace.
#454
Sweden
Means 'eternal ruler' or 'ever-ruler' from the elements 'ei' (ever) and 'rikr' (ruler).
#463
Israel↑ Rising
Hebrew
#467
English
Hebrew
#472
Italy
reborn
#479
Chinese↑ Rising
Chinese
#483
Latin
Worthy of love
#500
India
Sanskrit
#500
USA
A variant of the name Roxane, meaning 'bright' or 'dawn'.
#500
English
English
#500
Ireland
Irish
#501
English
manifestation of God
#502
Finland
A form of Christina, meaning ‘follower of Christ’.
#502
India
lock of hair
#503
English
English
#504
American
A young woman, a maiden; derived from the Spanish 'chalan,' which denotes a young man.
#504
India
lovely, intelligent
#504
Italy
Latin
#505
American
A variant of Cherise, meaning 'darling' or 'beloved'
#505
English
Light of the lake
#506
American
Zulu
#507
American
A variation of Antoine
#508
French
French
#508
Poland
Polish
#508
Italy
Italian
#509
Welsh↑ Rising
Welsh
#509
American
gift of the sea
#509
American
English
#510
American
English
#510
Swahili-speaking countries
Meaning 'good fortune' or 'blessing'.
#510
USA
A modern variation of the name Tina, meaning 'little Tina' or 'follower of Christ'
#511
France
English
#511
American
friendship
#511
Arabic
Arabic
#512
American
a variant of Shakira, meaning 'thankful' or 'grateful'
#513
English
peace
#513
American
English
#514
Nigeria
Igbo
#514
American
warrior
#514
Arabic
joyful
#515
American
Tentative or cautious
#515
China
阴 (yīn) - shadow or feminine aspect of nature
#516
English
to open, to bud
#516
American
English
#516
American
God's gift
#517
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#518
American
A shortened form of Melinda, which means 'honey' or 'sweet'
#518
American
Combination of the names Talea and Alisia, conveying meanings of 'story' or 'noble'.
#519
American
a form of the name Kristen or Christin, symbolizing a follower of Christ.
#519
American
A blend of Sandra (defender of mankind) and a variation of Ricka (peaceful ruler)
#520
American
Intended to symbolize the melodic aspects of music.
#521
Nigeria
Born on Sunday
#521
Vietnam
Vietnamese
#521
American
Variance of Geronda
#521
American
pure
#521
American
English
#523
Japan
beautiful field
#524
India
beautiful
#525
American
darling, dear one
#525
India
Sanskrit
#525
American
English
#525
American
A combination of Mary and Emma
#526
American
English
#526
France
victory of the people
#526
Hebrew
Hebrew
#527
American
Combination of the name La and Tisha, often considered to signify 'God is my witness'.
#528
Polynesia
A name of Polynesian origin meaning 'the one who brings peace'
#529
English
sword
#530
American
English
#530
India
Oath, promise
#531
American
A modern combination of 'Bree' and 'Anne', conveying meanings of exaltation and grace.
#532
Japanese
Japanese
#532
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#532
Thailand
Thai
#532
USA
English
#533
American
a variation of Sarah, meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman'
#534
American
one who is strong
#534
China
snow
#535
France
(French) A variant of 'Jacques' meaning 'supplanter', derived from the Hebrew name 'Yaakov'.
#535
Latin
of Mars
#536
English
Gift of God
#536
American
English
#536
American
the one who is an innovative force
#539
American
a blend of names with uncertain origins
#539
India
Sanskrit
#540
Spain
Drawn out of water
#540
American
a combination of 'Shar' from Sharlene or Sharon with 'Ronda'
#540
American
a combination of charm and beauty
#541
Hawaii
Hawaiian
#541
French
January
#541
Arab countries
seeker of knowledge
#542
Nigeria
Igbo
#542
American
English
#542
American
Modern English
#543
American
A combination of key and Shonda, symbolizing uniqueness.
#543
American
graceful, poetic
#543
American
a variant of Tanya, meaning 'fairy queen'
#543
Korea
shine; allow; consent
#544
Ireland
descendant of Braonán
#544
Vietnam
deep, profound
#544
American
a variant of the name Laquanda
#544
American
gift of God
#544
Chinese
pine tree
#544
Japan
Japanese
#545
American
origin or beginning
#546
American
a variant of the name 'Cameo', implying a distinctive or impressive character
#547
American
The name Shemika is often associated with an interpretation meaning 'a gift from God' or 'the one who is loved'.
#547
India
Sanskrit
#548
American
follower of Christ
#548
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#548
American
Hebrew
#549
Spanish
Chiquia often means 'little' or 'small', derived from 'chico'.
#550
American
A loving or tender person.
#550
American
possibly a modern invention derived from various cultural influences.
#551
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#552
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#552
American
pure
#552
American
English
#553
American
Latin
#553
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#553
American
The Princess
#553
Japan
rich
#554
Italian
Italian
#555
India
Sanskrit
#555
American
English
#556
China
Girl; you; and
#557
English
Latin
#559
Greece
Greek
#559
Egypt
Beautiful Companion
#560
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#560
France
A diminutive form of Jacques, meaning 'supplanter'
#560
Korean
To live or to rise
#560
Ireland
Irish
#561
American
English
#561
Poland
Polish
#562
Unknown
gift from God
#562
American
English
#562
American
English
#563
American
Variation of Devine or Devan, associated with 'poet' or 'bard'.
#563
India
Noble
#563
Persian
Princess or noblewoman
#563
American
English
#564
American
God is gracious; variant of Janique
#564
Latin
Latin
#567
Japan
child of the village
#567
Spain
sacred
#567
India
a great soul

Popular Boy Names 1981

94 boy names that peaked in popularity around 1981

#103
Hebrew
Man; human; to be red, referring to the red earth.
#188
Hebrew
princess
#201
Spain
Spanish
#202
American
gift
#220
Israel
breath or vapor
#239
Spain
new house
#244
Arabic↑ Rising
Hebrew
#249
Latin
male; brave; warlike
#254
English
A narrow road or pathway
#264
American
young horse
#271
English↑ Rising
the people's ruler
#276
Spanish
farmer
#297
Spain
Free man
#305
American
Irish
#330
Greece
To tame
#343
English
יָרֵד
#344
Spain
Adventurous traveler.
#379
American
English
#420
Hebrew↑ Rising
God is my oath
#428
Iran↑ Rising
king
#451
American↑ Rising
The name is derived from the holly tree, symbolizing protection and peace.
#454
Sweden
Means 'eternal ruler' or 'ever-ruler' from the elements 'ei' (ever) and 'rikr' (ruler).
#463
Israel↑ Rising
Hebrew
#467
English
Hebrew
#472
Italy
reborn
#479
Chinese↑ Rising
Chinese
#500
Nigeria
God's strength.
#500
France
Famous ruler
#501
Spanish
young warrior
#501
English
manifestation of God
#504
American
A young woman, a maiden; derived from the Spanish 'chalan,' which denotes a young man.
#506
Hebrew
Hebrew
#506
American
Eighth
#507
American
A variation of Antoine
#508
Italy
Italian
#509
Welsh↑ Rising
Welsh
#510
American
English
#516
English
to open, to bud
#516
American
God's gift
#516
India
light or brightness
#517
Italy
Wealthy guardian.
#517
English
Yahweh is salvation
#518
American
A shortened form of Melinda, which means 'honey' or 'sweet'
#519
American
a form of the name Kristen or Christin, symbolizing a follower of Christ.
#521
Vietnam
Vietnamese
#523
Israel
He who struggles with God
#524
Italy
little saint
#525
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#526
France
victory of the people
#526
Hebrew
Hebrew
#527
USA
English
#527
American
Combination of the name La and Tisha, often considered to signify 'God is my witness'.
#527
American
American English
#529
Welsh
Welsh
#529
English
sword
#529
Iran
Mister, sir, or ownership, often used for descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
#529
Arabic
Arabic
#529
Scotland
Son of William
#530
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#531
France
Little branch
#534
Armenia
Armenian
#534
China
snow
#535
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#535
France
(French) A variant of 'Jacques' meaning 'supplanter', derived from the Hebrew name 'Yaakov'.
#536
American
English
#539
Spanish
To live or to exist
#540
Spain
Drawn out of water
#541
French
January
#543
Korea
shine; allow; consent
#544
English
Cēat - A personal name, possibly meaning 'warrior'
#544
Vietnam
deep, profound
#544
American
gift of God
#544
Chinese
pine tree
#544
Japan
Japanese
#552
American
English
#553
American
Latin
#553
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#554
India
One who is strong
#555
India
Sanskrit
#555
USA
Of unknown meaning; possibly derived from 'Antonius'.
#555
American
Greek
#556
Greek
anointed, Christ
#557
Japan
Second son
#559
American
brother, or from Germany
#560
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#560
China
富全 (Fùquán) - Rich and complete; abundance and wholeness.
#560
Korean
To live or to rise
#562
Unknown
gift from God
#563
American
Variation of Devine or Devan, associated with 'poet' or 'bard'.
#563
Persian
Princess or noblewoman
#564
Hebrew
Hebrew
#566
American
A modern invented name, potentially influenced by Sean or similar names
#567
Japan
child of the village
#567
Spain
sacred

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