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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 593
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 89 (#140 (tie) most common name, -85.0% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,959 (#18 most common name)
Cody is a name of English origin meaning "helpful".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 648
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 18 (#332 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 60,198 (#58 most common name)
Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 649
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 87 (#142 (tie) most common name, -86.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,672 (#8 most common name)
Jacob is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "to follow".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 669
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 224 (#37 most common name, -66.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 124,263 (#35 most common name)
Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 671
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 299 (#18 most common name, -55.4% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,385 (#31 most common name)
Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 672
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#504 (tie) most common name, -99.3% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,414 (#28 most common name)
Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 675
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#504 (tie) most common name, -99.3% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,997 (#16 most common name)
Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 694
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 45 (#227 (tie) most common name, -93.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 138,366 (#32 most common name)
James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 720
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 382 (#10 most common name, -46.9% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,498 (#6 most common name)
Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 744
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 7 (#420 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 102,925 (#42 most common name)
Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 757
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 218 (#41 most common name, -71.2% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,416 (#10 most common name)
Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 787
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 94 (#133 (tie) most common name, -88.1% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 105,994 (#39 most common name)
John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 793
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 168 (#65 most common name, -78.8% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,161 (#9 most common name)
Kyle is a name of Scottish origin meaning "narrow strait".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 814
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 19 (#326 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,950 (#30 most common name)
Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 856
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 41 (#239 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,246 (#21 most common name)
Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 876
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 108 (#118 (tie) most common name, -87.7% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,084 (#22 most common name)
Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 880
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 65 (#183 (tie) most common name, -92.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,320 (#19 most common name)
Dustin is a name of Norse origin meaning "brave warrior".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 885
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 65 (#183 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 97,308 (#44 most common name)
Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 910
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 67 (#179 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,130 (#11 most common name)
David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 911
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 154 (#73 most common name, -83.1% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,702 (#5 most common name)
Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 981
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 172 (#63 most common name, -82.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,559 (#7 most common name)
Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,036
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6 (#446 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,206 (#17 most common name)
Tyler is a name of English origin meaning "doorkeeper of an inn" or "owner of a tavern".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,077
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 49 (#218 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 86,435 (#47 most common name)
Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,176
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 180 (#59 most common name, -84.7% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,094 (#13 most common name)
Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,326
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 20 (#320 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,826 (#12 most common name)
Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,437
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 111 (#115 (tie) most common name, -92.3% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,954 (#14 most common name)
Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,665
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 80 (#151 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,886 (#2 most common name)
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,844
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 154 (#73 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,953 (#3 most common name)
Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,846
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 142 (#85 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,530 (#4 most common name)
Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
North Dakota
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,952
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 223 (#39 most common name, -88.6% compared to the 80s)
National:
- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,824 (#1 most common name)
