Most popular girl names in the 80s in North Carolina

Written by:
March 23, 2026
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

Most popular girl names in the 80s in North Carolina

Whether it's a long-held family name, a biblical name, or a name that holds special meaning for mom or dad, choosing the moniker that your child will carry for life isn't something to take lightly. Over the years, certain names have peaked and then faded in popularity while others stayed at the top of the rankings for multiple decades. And while traditional and biblical names always seem to be in style, we've also seen some more uncommon names become trendy.

Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the 80s in North Carolina using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Many baby names are inspired by pop culture of the time, whether movies, music, or television. Others represent familial names or have other traditional significance. Keep reading to see if your name made the list.

You may also like: Car insurance rates in North Carolina
1 / 30
Darren Brode // Shutterstock

#30. Rachel

Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,360
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 385 (#274 most common name, -83.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 146,678 (#16 most common name)

2 / 30
ucchie79 // Shutterstock

#29. Erica

Erica is a name of Norse origin meaning "eternal ruler".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,402
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 79 (#1012 (tie) most common name, -96.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 93,161 (#36 most common name)

3 / 30
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock

#28. Shannon

Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,425
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 34 (#1515 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 78,421 (#39 most common name)

4 / 30
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#27. Courtney

Courtney is a name of French origin meaning "short nose".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,509
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 49 (#1310 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 84,310 (#37 most common name)

5 / 30
Nina Buday // Shutterstock

#26. Angela

Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,591
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 330 (#329 (tie) most common name, -87.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 116,594 (#27 most common name)

You may also like: Countries from which North Carolina imports the most goods
6 / 30
FreelySky // Shutterstock

#25. Samantha

Samantha is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "told by God".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,651
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 832 (#114 most common name, -68.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 121,126 (#26 most common name)

7 / 30
Oleggg // Shutterstock

#24. Kelly

Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,937
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 144 (#644 most common name, -95.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 109,540 (#29 most common name)

8 / 30
Lopolo // Shutterstock

#23. Rebecca

Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,992
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 384 (#275 most common name, -87.2% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 136,243 (#22 most common name)

9 / 30
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#22. Christina

Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,058
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 187 (#534 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 146,011 (#18 most common name)

10 / 30
Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock

#21. April

April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,112
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 191 (#525 (tie) most common name, -93.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 75,948 (#40 most common name)

You may also like: See how much it costs to attend Charlotte FC games
11 / 30
riggleton // Shutterstock

#20. Laura

Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,273
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 248 (#430 most common name, -92.4% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 134,611 (#23 most common name)

12 / 30
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#19. Megan

Megan is a name of Welsh origin meaning "pearl".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,407
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 133 (#692 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,502 (#14 most common name)

13 / 30
photoDiod // Shutterstock

#18. Amy

Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,448
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 424 (#246 (tie) most common name, -87.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 150,659 (#15 most common name)

14 / 30
Surne1shots // Shutterstock

#17. Emily

Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,505
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,270 (#17 most common name, -35.2% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 131,770 (#25 most common name)

15 / 30
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#16. Mary

Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,674
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,034 (#86 most common name, -71.9% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 95,862 (#35 most common name)

You may also like: Highest-rated scenic drives in North Carolina by visitors
16 / 30
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#15. Lauren

Lauren is a name of Latin origin meaning "the bay or laurel plant".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,967
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 492 (#206 most common name, -87.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 145,147 (#19 most common name)

17 / 30
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#14. Melissa

Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,397
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 233 (#453 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 217,929 (#7 most common name)

18 / 30
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#13. Kimberly

Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,534
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 478 (#211 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 146,453 (#17 most common name)

19 / 30
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#12. Amber

Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris", a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,580
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 152 (#618 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,951 (#13 most common name)

20 / 30
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#11. Stephanie

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

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,959
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 268 (#396 (tie) most common name, -94.6% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 218,175 (#6 most common name)

You may also like: Best NFL players born in North Carolina
21 / 30
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#10. Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,014
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,069 (#10 most common name, -38.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 198,977 (#9 most common name)

22 / 30
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#9. Tiffany

Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,214
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 87 (#942 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 158,625 (#11 most common name)

23 / 30
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#8. Brittany

Brittany is a name of French origin meaning "from Briton".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,274
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 167 (#584 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 140,812 (#21 most common name)

24 / 30
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock

#7. Sarah

Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,620
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,048 (#84 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 272,647 (#5 most common name)

25 / 30
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#6. Crystal

Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,868
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 110 (#803 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,009 (#20 most common name)

You may also like: Counties with the most pre-war homes in North Carolina
26 / 30
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#5. Heather

Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,224
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 52 (#1274 (tie) most common name, -99.2% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 191,854 (#10 most common name)

27 / 30
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock

#4. Amanda

Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,992
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 159 (#603 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 369,728 (#3 most common name)

28 / 30
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#3. Jennifer

Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 10,567
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 241 (#442 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 440,916 (#2 most common name)

29 / 30
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock

#2. Ashley

Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 11,591
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 721 (#133 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 352,185 (#4 most common name)

30 / 30
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#1. Jessica

Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".

North Carolina
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 12,615
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 245 (#435 (tie) most common name, -98.1% compared to the 80s)

National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 469,518 (#1 most common name)

You may also like: Baldest states: See how North Carolina ranks for hair-loss medication prescriptions

Trending Now