Known for the emergence of MTV, the rise of neon, and the invention of the mixtape, the 1980s were certainly a rockin' era in American history. New economic policies were introduced, the news network CNN launched, and, much less enjoyable, Wall Street crashed on the infamous Black Monday—the worst one-day decline in American stock market history. Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as the first female Supreme Court justice, the Cold War saw the beginning of the end as the Berlin Wall began to fall, and millions watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television.
Among all the big hair, Rubix cubes, and shoulder pads, however, there were still plenty of babies being born during this defining time. And with celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Robert Palmer reaching their peak fame during the '80s, it's no surprise that many parents chose to name their kids after them.
To see just how popular these names were, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 80s in Illinois using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.
Just like scrunchies and PAC MAN, Americans can still hold onto some of the best aspects of the '80s, including baby names (some things never get old). So whether you're welcoming a new little one into the world this year or just curious, these are the most popular baby names of the 1980s in Illinois.
You may also like: Highest-rated free things to do in Illinois by visitors
Shutterstock
1 / 30Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,891
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 565 (#235 most common name, -91.8% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,414 (#28 most common name)
Falcona // Shutterstock
2 / 30Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,027
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 736 (#190 (tie) most common name, -89.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 129,460 (#34 most common name)
Mallmo // Shutterstock
3 / 30Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,336
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 248 (#440 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 144,798 (#29 most common name)
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock
4 / 30Kyle is a name of Scottish origin meaning "narrow strait".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,849
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 484 (#259 (tie) most common name, -93.8% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,950 (#30 most common name)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
5 / 30Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,919
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,535 (#41 most common name, -71.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,817 (#24 most common name)
You may also like: Highest-rated museums in Illinois by visitors
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
6 / 30Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,159
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,054 (#59 most common name, -77.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,959 (#18 most common name)
Fotonium // Shutterstock
7 / 30Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,294
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 549 (#240 most common name, -94.1% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,470 (#25 most common name)
Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock
8 / 30Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,679
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 992 (#141 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,206 (#17 most common name)
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
9 / 30Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,939
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 774 (#183 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 172,834 (#26 most common name)
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
10 / 30William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 10,025
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,823 (#6 most common name, -51.9% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 248,286 (#15 most common name)
You may also like: Most common dog breeds available for adoption in Illinois
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
11 / 30Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 10,570
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,120 (#124 (tie) most common name, -89.4% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 188,685 (#23 most common name)
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
12 / 30Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 10,646
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,162 (#55 most common name, -79.7% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,084 (#22 most common name)
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock
13 / 30Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 10,921
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 682 (#204 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,826 (#12 most common name)
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock
14 / 30Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 11,240
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 749 (#187 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,246 (#21 most common name)
Gorynvd // Shutterstock
15 / 30Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 11,952
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,676 (#22 most common name, -69.2% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 211,870 (#20 most common name)
You may also like: Best public middle schools in Illinois
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
16 / 30Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 12,725
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,967 (#69 most common name, -84.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,320 (#19 most common name)
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
17 / 30Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 12,909
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 562 (#236 most common name, -95.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,997 (#16 most common name)
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock
18 / 30Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 13,642
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 989 (#142 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,130 (#11 most common name)
Irisska // Shutterstock
19 / 30Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 14,052
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,333 (#47 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,094 (#13 most common name)
marina shin // Shutterstock
20 / 30John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 14,707
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,287 (#26 most common name, -77.7% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,161 (#9 most common name)
You may also like: Counties with the oldest homes in Illinois
FamVeld // Shutterstock
21 / 30Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 14,760
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,212 (#52 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,954 (#14 most common name)
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
22 / 30Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 15,057
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,220 (#50 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,530 (#4 most common name)
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
23 / 30Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 15,318
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,672 (#75 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,672 (#8 most common name)
2p2play // Shutterstock
24 / 30Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 15,329
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,286 (#27 most common name, -78.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,416 (#10 most common name)
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
25 / 30James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 15,876
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,658 (#8 most common name, -70.7% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,498 (#6 most common name)
You may also like: Spicy insights in Illinois for National Hot Sauce Day from Instacart data
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
26 / 30David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 18,244
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,198 (#29 most common name, -82.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,702 (#5 most common name)
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
27 / 30Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 18,697
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,307 (#10 most common name, -77.0% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,559 (#7 most common name)
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
28 / 30Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 22,692
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,228 (#49 most common name, -90.2% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,886 (#2 most common name)
MIA Studio // Shutterstock
29 / 30Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 22,947
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,084 (#30 most common name, -86.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,953 (#3 most common name)
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
30 / 30Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Illinois
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 35,044
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,549 (#9 most common name, -87.0% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,824 (#1 most common name)
You may also like: Best colleges in Illinois
