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The perfect name is out there — we're here to help you find it.

Baby names that were most popular around 1986. Browse the full list below, organized by gender, with meanings and origins for each name.

Quick facts: names popular in 1986

  • 4,645 names in our database peaked in popularity around 1986
  • 3,328 girl names and 1,831 boy names are associated with 1986
  • 1986 sits between the vintage revival window and today's trends
  • Nearby years with similar naming trends: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988

Popular Girl Names 1986

162 girl names that peaked in popularity around 1986

#75
American↑ Rising
From the west town
#105
Spain
new house
#106
Latin
Latin
#134
Spanish
Spanish
#171
Hebrew
the Lord has remembered
#173
Hebrew
God is with us.
#194
Spain
Who is like God?
#219
American
broom hill
#237
Greece
Greek
#295
Spanish
Jehovah is salvation
#304
English
English
#304
English
English
#311
Arabic
Exalted, noble
#316
American↑ Rising
Brave in battle
#334
France
victorious people
#339
Ireland↑ Rising
Rocky place
#339
Greece
Hebrew
#359
American
From the broad meadow
#366
Spain
long-haired
#372
Spain
brave ruler
#402
American
Warrior
#407
Italy
Italian
#431
France↑ Rising
unfortunate
#440
Spanish
noble
#451
France
Noël is derived from the word for 'Christmas'.
#459
American↑ Rising
A variation of 'Casey' meaning brave in battle
#468
American
Crown, garland
#471
English
noble
#478
American
English
#483
American
Spear strength
#487
English
Irish
#494
Hebrew
Hebrew
#497
Spain↑ Rising
Spanish
#500
French
Loved, beloved
#500
Scotland
Old Norse
#500
American
A modern, possibly invented name with no clear historical meaning.
#501
American
African American Vernacular English
#502
France
Victorious
#502
France
God is gracious
#502
Indian
Derived from the name ‘Nikita,’ meaning ‘unconquered’ or ‘victorious’.
#503
American
Short form of 'Courtney', meaning 'from the court.'
#503
France
Revelation
#503
France
French
#504
American
from Britain
#504
Arabic
Rising, dawn
#504
India
goddess of learning
#504
American
beloved, cherished
#505
English
English
#505
American
A variant of the name 'Satarah', often interpreted as a form of 'star'.
#506
American
A variant of Shantae; the stone or the warrior
#506
Spain
Spanish
#506
Yiddish-speaking communities
Yiddish
#507
American
Derived from Keia, meaning 'your' or 'yours' in Hawaiian.
#507
USA
Star or star-like
#508
Vietnam
beautiful, delicate
#508
Italy
Rest
#508
American
A modern variant of the name Theresa, meaning 'harvest' or 'to harvest'
#509
Latin
exalted one, elevated
#509
American
A variant of Kate, meaning 'pure'.
#509
Nigeria
the road is good
#510
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#510
Latin
she who must be loved
#510
Unknown
luxurious
#513
France
peaceful; serene
#513
American
English
#515
English
supplanter
#516
American
English
#517
American
no specific meaning, modern variant
#518
American
noble strength and rose
#518
American
A variant of the name Misha, often interpreted as 'gift from God'
#519
American
help, protect
#519
American
Christian follower
#519
English
To be free
#519
English
To cross over
#520
Cambodia
Colorful, joyous
#521
English
from the ash tree meadow
#521
Native American
Native American
#521
American
A variant of 'Kassandra', meaning 'shining upon man'
#522
Philippines
A woman of great beauty and virtue
#522
American
combination of Joanna and Angela, meaning God is gracious and angel
#522
American
Pure and beloved
#523
American
English
#524
Arabic
سُرًى - 'Joy, happiness'
#525
American
A modern invented name, possibly a variant of Tiara.
#526
Greece
Κυρία
#527
American
pure, chaste
#527
USA
God is my judge
#527
American
pure
#527
Italy
Pig; swine
#528
English
Old English
#528
American
a variation of Kendra, meaning 'knowledge' or 'understanding'
#528
American
English
#528
Spain
Mary of the Angels
#528
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#529
American
of noble birth
#529
American
English
#529
English
supplanter
#531
American
believed to be a combination of names or a creative variant.
#531
American
Turkish
#531
American
English
#532
English
English
#533
USA
to be steadfast
#533
English
Keeper of the keys; pure
#533
American
English
#534
American
From Brittany
#534
English
pure, beloved
#535
American
a combination of the names 'Sherry' and 'Monica'
#535
American
a variant form of the name Shailene, which signifies a serene or calm personality.
#536
American
A feminine variation of the name Jiles, modernly associated with joyful or cheerful.
#536
American
American
#536
English
A beloved name with deep roots
#536
English
variant of 'Nicole'.
#537
American
A modern invention, possibly a combination of Rae and Nesha
#537
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#538
Japanese
a name meaning 'a girl who is hailed'
#538
American
A unique name possibly derived from 'shatter' and 'terra'.
#539
American
English
#539
Russia
born on Christmas day
#539
American
Germanic
#540
Italy
Angel
#540
American
English
#540
India
प्रकाश
#541
China
Chinese
#541
American
shining, clear; a crystal-like beauty
#541
American
Strong or valiant
#542
American
Princess
#543
India
well-being
#543
American
Hebrew
#544
American
American
#544
American
A unique blend of sounds, often conveying beauty and strength.
#545
American
English
#546
France
Enchanting or charmed
#546
Latin
the name means 'three roads'
#547
France
A feminine form of Christian, meaning 'follower of Christ'
#548
American
English
#548
Arabic
noble, generous
#548
American
Hawaiian
#549
American
(English: "God is gracious")
#550
French
Rival; to strive
#550
United Kingdom
Wealthy
#552
American
A derivative of the name 'Chaley', often interpreted as youthful or lively.
#552
Spain
Spanish
#552
American
American English
#552
USA
A modern interpretation, possibly a blend of names like 'Samantha' and 'Kwan.'
#553
Latin
A variant of 'Maria', often associated with the sea.
#553
American
appearance of God
#554
Italy
Blind
#555
American
Pearl
#555
Cambodia
Khmer
#556
Lao
to shine
#556
Hebrew
Hebrew
#557
American
English
#557
American
English
#558
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#558
American
French
#558
American
English
#559
Ireland
friend
#559
Japanese
Japanese
#559
Russia
Никита (Nikíta) - unconquered
#560
Russia
Cheerful, bright
#561
USA
From the DeSean family
#561
American
Royal ruler or leader

Popular Boy Names 1986

88 boy names that peaked in popularity around 1986

#17
Hebrew
Hebrew
#65
Greece
Greek
#75
American↑ Rising
From the west town
#82
Israel
God has given
#83
Ireland
Irish
#105
Spain
new house
#106
Latin
Latin
#134
Spanish
Spanish
#171
Hebrew
the Lord has remembered
#173
Hebrew
God is with us.
#185
American
Latin
#194
Spain
Who is like God?
#219
American
broom hill
#237
Greece
Greek
#295
Spanish
Jehovah is salvation
#304
English
English
#304
English
English
#311
Arabic
Exalted, noble
#316
American↑ Rising
Brave in battle
#334
France
victorious people
#339
Ireland↑ Rising
Rocky place
#339
Greece
Hebrew
#359
American
From the broad meadow
#366
Spain
long-haired
#372
Spain
brave ruler
#402
American
Warrior
#407
Italy
Italian
#431
France↑ Rising
unfortunate
#440
Spanish
noble
#451
France
Noël is derived from the word for 'Christmas'.
#459
American↑ Rising
A variation of 'Casey' meaning brave in battle
#471
English
noble
#478
American
English
#483
American
Spear strength
#487
English
Irish
#494
Hebrew
Hebrew
#497
Spain↑ Rising
Spanish
#500
Armenia
Protector
#502
France
God is gracious
#503
Spain
To cut
#504
Albania
free
#506
American
A variant of 'Cardale', possibly derived from a place name.
#508
Italy
Rest
#510
American
English
#510
Germanic
A variant of the name Stephan, meaning 'crown'.
#518
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#518
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#519
USA
English
#520
English
Hebrew
#521
English
from the ash tree meadow
#521
American
English
#524
Greece
a form of Emmanuel, meaning God is with us
#524
American
who is like God; Christ bearer
#527
American
pure
#528
English
Old English
#529
American
of noble birth
#529
Arabic
To flow, to stream
#529
American
Derived from 'Rashaun' or 'Rashawn', associated with meaning 'brave' or 'courageous'.
#531
American
rocky hill
#532
Iran
young man or prince
#535
American
From the broad ridge
#536
Hebrew
My people
#537
England
A chapel or religious institution.
#537
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#539
England
Broom hill
#539
American
Spanish
#539
Russia
born on Christmas day
#539
American
Germanic
#540
American
Variant of Jesse; Gift
#540
Nigeria
A woke from sleep.
#541
China
Chinese
#541
United Kingdom
English
#543
Vietnam
a common surname meaning 'descendant of a learned person'.
#544
United Kingdom
Old English
#544
American
American
#544
France
French
#546
English
English
#547
Spanish
Little Mars
#548
American
English
#548
English
Son of Dan
#550
India
The one who digs or uncovers secrets.
#552
Spain
Spanish
#555
Cambodia
Khmer
#557
Australia
English
#558
American
English
#559
Ireland
friend
#561
USA
From the DeSean family
#561
American
Royal ruler or leader

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