Most popular boy names in the 80s in New York
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 York 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 100 most popular baby names of the 1980s in New York.
#50. Jesse
Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord exists".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,660
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 944 (#217 most common name, -79.7% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 85,897
#49. Keith
Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,712
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 392 (#415 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 52,625
#48. Vincent
Vincent is a name of Latin origin meaning "to conquer".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,740
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,060 (#73 most common name, -35.4% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #92
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 31,900
#47. Bryan
Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,107
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,781 (#124 most common name, -65.1% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 80,488
#46. Luis
Luis is a name of German origin meaning "famous warrior".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,208
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,817 (#122 most common name, -65.1% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #83
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 37,123
#45. Aaron
Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,844
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,895 (#38 most common name, -16.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 138,343
#44. Edward
Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,919
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,835 (#121 most common name, -69.0% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 60,790
#43. Kenneth
Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,939
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,152 (#173 most common name, -80.6% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 89,113
#42. Jeremy
Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,530
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,477 (#85 most common name, -62.1% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,418
#41. Kyle
Kyle is a name of Scottish origin meaning "narrow strait".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,630
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,155 (#98 most common name, -67.5% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,910
#40. Alexander
Alexander is a name of Greek origin meaning “defender of man".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,745
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,802 (#11 most common name, +45.3% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 81,932
#39. Benjamin
Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,099
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,160 (#19 most common name, +14.9% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,341
#38. Scott
Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,185
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 417 (#400 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 108,165
#37. Jose
Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,445
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,950 (#115 most common name, -73.8% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 86,349
#36. Charles
Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,525
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,957 (#50 most common name, -47.4% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 131,861
#35. Brandon
Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,616
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,942 (#52 most common name, -48.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,173
#34. Peter
Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,100
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,647 (#132 most common name, -79.7% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 56,663
#33. Gregory
Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,506
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 705 (#281 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 93,649
#32. Stephen
Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,521
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 949 (#216 most common name, -88.9% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 113,597
#31. Patrick
Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,004 (#109 most common name, -76.7% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 111,365
#30. Paul
Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,864
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,330 (#159 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 104,339
#29. Mark
Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,289
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,623 (#134 most common name, -82.5% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 129,371
#28. Sean
Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,540
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,959 (#113 most common name, -79.5% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 103,828
#27. Jeffrey
Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 10,562
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,070 (#194 most common name, -89.9% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 144,781
#26. Timothy
Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 10,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,615 (#135 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 172,811
#25. Adam
Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 12,498
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,188 (#48 most common name, -66.5% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,049
#24. Richard
Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 13,058
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,756 (#126 most common name, -86.6% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 154,710
#23. Eric
Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 13,883
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,338 (#91 (tie) most common name, -83.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,199
#22. Steven
Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 14,088
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,338 (#91 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,405
#21. Ryan
Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 14,681
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,238 (#13 most common name, -37.1% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,848
#20. Justin
Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 14,717
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,415 (#33 most common name, -63.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,755
#19. Kevin
Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 15,208
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,913 (#53 most common name, -74.3% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 188,638
#18. Thomas
Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 15,656
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,878 (#39 most common name, -68.8% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,743
#17. Nicholas
Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 15,948
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,150 (#23 most common name, -55.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,293
#16. William
William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 16,224
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,526 (#21 most common name, -53.6% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 248,240
#15. Joshua
Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 16,867
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,008 (#24 most common name, -58.5% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,533
#14. Brian
Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 18,483
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,984 (#111 most common name, -89.3% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,976
#13. Jonathan
Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 18,962
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,087 (#36 most common name, -73.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,906
#12. Andrew
Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 19,783
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,315 (#27 most common name, -68.1% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,013
#11. Anthony
Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 21,445
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,901 (#16 most common name, -58.5% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 211,804
#10. James
James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 22,124
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,701 (#17 most common name, -60.7% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,362
#9. Jason
Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 22,212
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,125 (#49 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,016
#8. Robert
Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 23,329
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,663 (#58 most common name, -84.3% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,598
#7. John
John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 24,219
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,756 (#25 most common name, -72.1% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,034
#6. David
David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 27,481
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,910 (#15 most common name, -67.6% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,610
#5. Daniel
Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 27,997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,024 (#8 most common name, -64.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,414
#4. Joseph
Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 28,742
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,877 (#6 most common name, -62.2% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,367
#3. Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 31,274
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,687 (#7 most common name, -65.8% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,894
#2. Christopher
Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 38,214
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,236 (#22 most common name, -81.1% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,793
#1. Michael
Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
New York
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 58,956
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11,974 (#3 most common name, -79.7% compared to the 80s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,592
