Yearly Name Rankings
Top 100 Baby Names 1990
Official birth-registry rankings โ Jessica and Michael take the top spots. Every name links to its full meaning, origin, and popularity history.
Jessica#1 Girl Name
Michael#1 Boy Name
1990Data Year
Top 100 Girl Names
| # | Name | Trend | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jessica | — | Jessica is derived from the Hebrew name Yiskah, meaning "God beholds" or "one who beholds," with the "-ica" sโฆ |
| 2 | Ashley | — | The name 'Ashley' means "ash tree clearing" or "dweller near the ash tree meadow," derived from the Old Engliโฆ |
| 3 | Brittany | — | Brittany derives from the Latin "Brittania," the Roman name for Britain, and means "from Britain" or "the Briโฆ |
| 4 | Amanda | — | Amanda derives from the Latin word "amandus," meaning "worthy of love" or "beloved," formed from the verb "amโฆ |
| 5 | Samantha | ▲ 1 | Samantha is derived from the Aramaic name "Shemantah," meaning "hearkening" or "listener," combined with the โฆ |
| 6 | Sarah | ▼ 1 | Sarah derives from the Hebrew name ืฉึธืืจึธื (ลฤrฤ), meaning "princess" or "noblewoman," from the root ลar meaniโฆ |
| 7 | Stephanie | ▲ 1 | Stephanie is derived from the Greek name Stephanos (ฮฃฯฮญฯฮฑฮฝฮฟฯ), which means "crown" or "wreath," from the Greeโฆ |
| 8 | Jennifer | ▼ 1 | Jennifer derives from the Cornish name Guinevere, which comes from the Welsh "Gwenhwyfar," composed of "gwen"โฆ |
| 9 | Elizabeth | ▲ 1 | Elizabeth derives from the Hebrew name Elisheva (ืืืืฉืืข), meaning "God is my oath" or "God is abundance," comโฆ |
| 10 | Lauren | ▼ 1 | Lauren is the feminine form of Laurence, derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum"โฆ |
| 11 | Megan | — | Megan is a diminutive form of Margaret, derived from the Greek name Margareta, which comes from the word "marโฆ |
| 12 | Emily | ▲ 1 | Emily derives from the Roman family name Aemilius, which likely comes from the Latin word "aemulus" meaning rโฆ |
| 13 | Nicole | ▼ 1 | The given name 'Nicole' is derived from the Greek name 'Nikolaos' (ฮฮนฮบฯฮปฮฑฮฟฯ), meaning 'victory of the people'โฆ |
| 14 | Kayla | ▲ 6 | Kayla is a modern English name derived from the Irish name Cayla or the Gaelic word "caol," meaning "slender"โฆ |
| 15 | Amber | ▼ 1 | # Amber The name Amber derives from the English word for the fossilized tree resin, which came from Arabic "โฆ |
| 16 | Rachel | ▲ 2 | The name Rachel derives from the Hebrew name ืจึธืึตื (Rahel), which means "ewe" or "female sheep," symbolizing โฆ |
| 17 | Courtney | ▲ 4 | The given name 'Courtney' originates from an Old French place name meaning "domain of Curtius" or "short noseโฆ |
| 18 | Danielle | ▼ 1 | Danielle is the feminine form of Daniel, derived from the Hebrew name Daniyel, meaning "God is my judge" (froโฆ |
| 19 | Heather | ▼ 4 | The name Heather derives from the English word for the flowering plant of the same name (genus Calluna), whicโฆ |
| 20 | Melissa | ▼ 1 | Melissa derives from the Greek word "melissa" (ฮผฮญฮปฮนฯฯฮฑ), meaning "honeybee," symbolizing industriousness and โฆ |
| 21 | Rebecca | ▲ 3 | |
| 22 | Michelle | — | |
| 23 | Tiffany | ▼ 7 | |
| 24 | Chelsea | ▲ 3 | |
| 25 | Christina | ▼ 2 | |
| 26 | Katherine | — | |
| 27 | Alyssa | ▲ 6 | |
| 28 | Jasmine | ▲ 2 | |
| 29 | Laura | ▼ 4 | |
| 30 | Hannah | ▲ 12 | |
| 31 | Kimberly | ▼ 3 | |
| 32 | Kelsey | ▼ 1 | |
| 33 | Victoria | ▲ 11 | |
| 34 | Sara | ▼ 5 | |
| 35 | Mary | ▲ 3 | |
| 36 | Erica | ▼ 2 | |
| 37 | Alexandra | ▲ 6 | |
| 38 | Amy | ▼ 3 | |
| 39 | Crystal | ▼ 7 | |
| 40 | Andrea | ▼ 1 | |
| 41 | Kelly | ▼ 4 | |
| 42 | Kristen | ▼ 6 | |
| 43 | Erin | ▼ 3 | |
| 44 | Brittney | ▼ 3 | |
| 45 | Anna | ▲ 6 | |
| 46 | Taylor | ▲ 29 | |
| 47 | Maria | ▲ 9 | |
| 48 | Allison | ▼ 2 | |
| 49 | Cassandra | ▲ 5 | |
| 50 | Caitlin | ▼ 1 | |
| 51 | Lindsey | ▼ 3 | |
| 52 | Angela | ▼ 5 | |
| 53 | Katie | ▼ 8 | |
| 54 | Alicia | ▼ 1 | |
| 55 | Jamie | ▼ 3 | |
| 56 | Vanessa | ▼ 6 | |
| 57 | Kathryn | ▲ 1 | |
| 58 | Morgan | ▲ 11 | |
| 59 | Jordan | ▲ 13 | |
| 60 | Whitney | ▼ 3 | |
| 61 | Brianna | ▲ 16 | |
| 62 | Christine | ▼ 3 | |
| 63 | Natalie | ▼ 1 | |
| 64 | Lisa | ▼ 9 | |
| 65 | Kristin | ▼ 5 | |
| 66 | Alexis | ▲ 26 | |
| 67 | Jacqueline | ▼ 3 | |
| 68 | Shannon | ▼ 7 | |
| 69 | Lindsay | ▼ 6 | |
| 70 | Brooke | ▲ 4 | |
| 71 | Catherine | ▼ 4 | |
| 72 | Olivia | ▲ 50 | |
| 73 | April | ▼ 7 | |
| 74 | Erika | ▼ 1 | |
| 75 | Katelyn | ▲ 1 | |
| 76 | Monica | ▼ 8 | |
| 77 | Kristina | ▼ 12 | |
| 78 | Kaitlyn | ▲ 17 | |
| 79 | Paige | ▲ 45 | |
| 80 | Molly | ▲ 13 | |
| 81 | Jenna | ▼ 10 | |
| 82 | Leah | ▲ 1 | |
| 83 | Julia | ▲ 13 | |
| 84 | Bianca | ▲ 7 | |
| 85 | Tara | ▼ 15 | |
| 86 | Melanie | ▲ 2 | |
| 87 | Marissa | ▼ 6 | |
| 88 | Cynthia | ▼ 4 | |
| 89 | Holly | ▼ 10 | |
| 90 | Abigail | ▲ 4 | |
| 91 | Meghan | ▼ 11 | |
| 92 | Kathleen | ▼ 2 | |
| 93 | Julie | ▼ 15 | |
| 94 | Ariel | ▲ 115 | |
| 95 | Alexandria | ▲ 9 | |
| 96 | Veronica | ▼ 11 | |
| 97 | Patricia | ▼ 8 | |
| 98 | Diana | ▼ 12 | |
| 99 | Gabrielle | ▲ 13 | |
| 100 | Shelby | ▲ 129 |
Top 100 Boy Names
| # | Name | Trend | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael | — | Michael derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, composed of the elements "mi" (who), "ka" (like), and "el" (Goโฆ |
| 2 | Christopher | — | Christopher derives from the Greek elements "Christos" (Christ) and "phoros" (bearer), literally meaning "beaโฆ |
| 3 | Matthew | — | Matthew comes from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning "gift of God," derived from the elements "mattah" (gifโฆ |
| 4 | Joshua | — | Joshua derives from the Hebrew name Yehoshua (ืึฐืืึนืฉืืึผืขึท), meaning "God is salvation" or "God saves," combinโฆ |
| 5 | Daniel | ▲ 1 | Daniel derives from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, composed of "din" (judgment) and "el" (God), meaning "God is myโฆ |
| 6 | David | ▼ 1 | The name David derives from the Hebrew name Dawid (ืืื), meaning "beloved" or "friend," from the root dwd. |
| 7 | Andrew | — | Andrew derives from the Greek name แผฮฝฮดฯฮญฮฑฯ (Andreas), which comes from the Greek word "anฤr" (แผฮฝฮฎฯ) meaning "โฆ |
| 8 | James | ▲ 1 | James derives from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows," and entered Engโฆ |
| 9 | Justin | ▼ 1 | Justin derives from the Latin name Justinus, which is based on the root "justus" meaning "just" or "righteousโฆ |
| 10 | Joseph | ▲ 1 | The name Joseph derives from the Hebrew name Yosef (ืืึนืกึตืฃ), meaning "God will increase" or "God adds," combiโฆ |
| 11 | Ryan | ▲ 2 | Ryan derives from the Irish surname ร Riain, meaning "little king" or "descendant of Rian," with linguistic rโฆ |
| 12 | John | — | John derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan (ืืึนืึธื ึธื), meaning "God is gracious" or "the Lord is merciful," cโฆ |
| 13 | Robert | ▼ 3 | Robert derives from the Germanic elements "hrod" (fame) and "beraht" (bright), literally meaning "bright fameโฆ |
| 14 | Nicholas | — | The name "Nicholas" is derived from the Greek name "ฮฮนฮบฯฮปฮฑฮฟฯ" (Nikolaos), meaning "victory of the people" or โฆ |
| 15 | Anthony | ▲ 1 | The name Anthony derives from the Roman family name Antonius, likely from the Etruscan language, and means "pโฆ |
| 16 | William | ▼ 1 | William derives from the Germanic elements "wil" (desire, will) and "helm" (helmet, protection), literally meโฆ |
| 17 | Jonathan | — | Jonathan derives from the Hebrew name Yonatan (ืืึนื ึธืชึธื), composed of "Yah" (God) and "natan" (gave), meaningโฆ |
| 18 | Kyle | ▲ 2 | Kyle derives from the Scottish Gaelic word "caol," meaning "narrow" or "strait," originally referring to a naโฆ |
| 19 | Brandon | ▼ 1 | The given name 'Brandon' is derived from the Old English words 'brycg' (bridge) and 'tun' (settlement), meaniโฆ |
| 20 | Jacob | ▲ 6 | Jacob derives from the Hebrew name Yaakov (ืืขืงื), meaning "supplanter" or "he who supplaces," from the root mโฆ |
| 21 | Tyler | ▲ 9 | |
| 22 | Zachary | ▲ 3 | |
| 23 | Kevin | ▼ 4 | |
| 24 | Eric | ▼ 3 | |
| 25 | Steven | ▼ 3 | |
| 26 | Thomas | ▼ 3 | |
| 27 | Brian | ▼ 3 | |
| 28 | Alexander | ▲ 4 | |
| 29 | Jordan | ▲ 15 | |
| 30 | Timothy | ▼ 2 | |
| 31 | Cody | ▲ 14 | |
| 32 | Adam | ▼ 5 | |
| 33 | Benjamin | ▼ 4 | |
| 34 | Aaron | ▼ 3 | |
| 35 | Richard | ▼ 2 | |
| 36 | Patrick | ▲ 2 | |
| 37 | Sean | ▲ 2 | |
| 38 | Charles | ▼ 2 | |
| 39 | Stephen | ▲ 1 | |
| 40 | Jeremy | ▼ 6 | |
| 41 | Jose | ▲ 5 | |
| 42 | Travis | ▼ 1 | |
| 43 | Jeffrey | ▼ 6 | |
| 44 | Nathan | ▼ 1 | |
| 45 | Samuel | ▲ 2 | |
| 46 | Jason | ▼ 11 | |
| 47 | Mark | ▼ 5 | |
| 48 | Jesse | ▲ 2 | |
| 49 | Paul | — | |
| 50 | Dustin | ▼ 2 | |
| 51 | Gregory | ▲ 1 | |
| 52 | Kenneth | ▲ 1 | |
| 53 | Scott | ▼ 2 | |
| 54 | Derek | — | |
| 55 | Austin | ▲ 4 | |
| 56 | Corey | ▼ 1 | |
| 57 | Bryan | ▼ 1 | |
| 58 | Ethan | ▲ 29 | |
| 59 | Alex | ▲ 1 | |
| 60 | Christian | ▲ 18 | |
| 61 | Juan | ▲ 2 | |
| 62 | Cameron | ▲ 2 | |
| 63 | Jared | ▼ 6 | |
| 64 | Taylor | ▲ 8 | |
| 65 | Bradley | ▼ 7 | |
| 66 | Luis | ▲ 7 | |
| 67 | Cory | ▼ 6 | |
| 68 | Edward | ▼ 6 | |
| 69 | Shawn | ▼ 4 | |
| 70 | Ian | ▼ 2 | |
| 71 | Evan | ▼ 2 | |
| 72 | Marcus | ▼ 5 | |
| 73 | Shane | ▼ 2 | |
| 74 | Peter | ▼ 8 | |
| 75 | Carlos | ▲ 2 | |
| 76 | Trevor | ▲ 7 | |
| 77 | Antonio | ▼ 1 | |
| 78 | Vincent | ▲ 2 | |
| 79 | George | — | |
| 80 | Keith | ▼ 10 | |
| 81 | Phillip | ▼ 6 | |
| 82 | Victor | ▲ 7 | |
| 83 | Dylan | ▲ 32 | |
| 84 | Brett | ▼ 3 | |
| 85 | Chad | ▼ 11 | |
| 86 | Nathaniel | ▼ 2 | |
| 87 | Donald | ▼ 5 | |
| 88 | Caleb | ▲ 3 | |
| 89 | Casey | ▲ 1 | |
| 90 | Jesus | ▲ 13 | |
| 91 | Blake | ▲ 6 | |
| 92 | Raymond | ▼ 6 | |
| 93 | Mitchell | — | |
| 94 | Adrian | ▲ 6 | |
| 95 | Joel | ▼ 7 | |
| 96 | Erik | ▼ 1 | |
| 97 | Ronald | ▼ 12 | |
| 98 | Devin | ▼ 2 | |
| 99 | Garrett | ▲ 3 | |
| 100 | Gabriel | ▲ 10 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), 1990. Trend arrows compare each name’s rank with the previous available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the most popular girl name in the United States in 1990?
The most popular girl name in the United States in 1990 was Jessica, given to 46,486 newborn girls.
What was the most popular boy name in the United States in 1990?
The most popular boy name in the United States in 1990 was Michael, given to 65,321 newborn boys.
Which baby names are rising fastest in the United States?
Compared with the previous rankings, the fastest-rising names in the 1990 top 100 were Shelby (+129), Ariel (+115), Olivia (+50), Dylan (+32), Ethan (+29), Christian (+18).
Where does this data come from?
Rankings are from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).