Most popular boy names in the 80s in New Mexico

Written by:
March 19, 2026
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

Most popular boy names in the 80s in New Mexico

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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico.

1 / 30
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#30. Gabriel

Gabriel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my strength".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 964
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 596 (#13 most common name, -38.2% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 32,239 (#90 most common name)

2 / 30
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#29. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,003
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 153 (#140 (tie) most common name, -84.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 188,685 (#23 most common name)

3 / 30
Flashon // Shutterstock

#28. Nicholas

Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,034
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 212 (#101 most common name, -79.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,320 (#19 most common name)

4 / 30
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#27. Jacob

Jacob is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "to follow".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,082
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 542 (#21 most common name, -49.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 124,263 (#35 most common name)

5 / 30
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock

#26. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,090
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 407 (#43 most common name, -62.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 248,286 (#15 most common name)

6 / 30
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock

#25. Jose

Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,105
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 379 (#47 most common name, -65.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 86,420 (#48 most common name)

7 / 30
noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock

#24. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,116
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 66 (#298 most common name, -94.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,997 (#16 most common name)

8 / 30
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#23. Jeremy

Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,126
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 98 (#228 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,414 (#28 most common name)

9 / 30
Minnikova Mariia // Shutterstock

#22. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,184
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 129 (#162 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 154,750 (#27 most common name)

10 / 30
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#21. Adam

Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,188
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 228 (#89 most common name, -80.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,084 (#22 most common name)

11 / 30
Falcona // Shutterstock

#20. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,206
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 102 (#218 (tie) most common name, -91.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,470 (#25 most common name)

12 / 30
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Aaron

Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,280
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 339 (#55 most common name, -73.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 138,366 (#32 most common name)

13 / 30
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock

#18. Brandon

Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,288
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 156 (#136 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,206 (#17 most common name)

14 / 30
Fotonium // Shutterstock

#17. Jonathan

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,304
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 297 (#65 (tie) most common name, -77.2% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,959 (#18 most common name)

15 / 30
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock

#16. Ryan

Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,498
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 275 (#75 most common name, -81.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,954 (#14 most common name)

16 / 30
Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock

#15. Andrew

Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,516
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 371 (#48 most common name, -75.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,094 (#13 most common name)

17 / 30
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#14. Eric

Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,573
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 155 (#138 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,246 (#21 most common name)

18 / 30
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#13. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,637
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 486 (#31 most common name, -70.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 211,870 (#20 most common name)

19 / 30
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#12. Justin

Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,695
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 143 (#148 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,826 (#12 most common name)

20 / 30
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock

#11. Jason

Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,702
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 222 (#93 (tie) most common name, -87.0% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,130 (#11 most common name)

21 / 30
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock

#10. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,784
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 301 (#63 most common name, -83.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,161 (#9 most common name)

22 / 30
Irisska // Shutterstock

#9. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,937
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 590 (#15 most common name, -69.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,498 (#6 most common name)

23 / 30
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#8. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,059
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 273 (#77 most common name, -86.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,672 (#8 most common name)

24 / 30
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#7. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,078
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 511 (#27 most common name, -75.4% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,416 (#10 most common name)

25 / 30
2p2play // Shutterstock

#6. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,454
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 483 (#32 most common name, -80.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,702 (#5 most common name)

26 / 30
Lopolo // Shutterstock

#5. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,506
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 631 (#9 most common name, -74.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,559 (#7 most common name)

27 / 30
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock

#4. Joshua

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,637
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 440 (#37 most common name, -83.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,530 (#4 most common name)

28 / 30
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock

#3. Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,731
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 478 (#33 most common name, -82.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,953 (#3 most common name)

29 / 30
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock

#2. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,575
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 442 (#36 most common name, -87.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,886 (#2 most common name)

30 / 30
Shutterstock

#1. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".

New Mexico
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,777
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 630 (#10 most common name, -83.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,824 (#1 most common name)

Trending Now