You may be on the hunt for 80’s baby names if you are inspired by neon, leg warmers, headbands, and Michael Jackson’s moonwalk. However, especially in the early 1980s, parents preferred classic and Biblical names for their children. Different naming patterns, such as vowel and flower names, appeared after 1985. If you have an affection for the 1980s or are a child of the decade, you might be interested in 80’s baby names. Here is a list of bodacious 80’s names for your dude or dudette based on the Social Security Administration list, movies, and historical trends.
Popular 1980s Names For Boys
1. Aaron:
In the Bible, Aaron was the name of the elder brother of Moses. Aaron means ‘mountain of strength’.
2. Adam:
Derived from Hebrew word ‘adama’, Adam is a generic term for ‘man’.
3. Alexander:
A mighty name for your mighty son, Alexander means ‘defender of mankind’.
4. Andrew:
If you are a tennis fan, how about naming your son after the tennis hero Andrew Murray. It means ‘manly’.
5. Anthony:
Anthony is a Roman family name, meaning ‘priceless’.
6. Arthur:
A classic name prevalent in literature, Arthur means ‘bear’.
7. Ashley:
This gender-neutral name was commonplace for boys in the 80s. It means ‘ash wood’.
8. Atreyu:
Atreyu, meaning ‘son of all’, stands out as a unique baby names of 1980.
9. Ben:
This short form of Benjamin was used as a standalone name in the 80s. Ben means ‘son of my right hand’.
10. Benjamin:
Benjamin has reigned as one of the top 100 names for centuries, so that makes it the top baby name of 1980s by default. It means ‘son of my right hand’.
11. Brandon:
Brandon was borne by all the teen hunks of the 80s. It means ‘beacon hill’.
12. Brian:
This robust and dependable name means ‘strong and honorable’.
13. Carl:
Carl is taken from the English name Charles, which means ‘free man’.
14. Chad:
This English name brings to mind a young boy with a sparkling smile. It means ‘warrior’.
15. Charles:
Charles is a majestic and regal name, meaning ‘manly’.
16. Christopher:
This moniker is derived from Greek name Khristophorus and means ‘Christ-bearer’.
17. Cody:
We love Cody for its friendly and boyish charm. Cody means ‘helpful’.
18. Corey:
This teen-idol name of the 80s means ‘from the hollow’.
19. Craig:
If you want a charming name for your son, Craig, meaning ‘rock’, could be the ideal one for you.
20. Daniel:
This classic name comes with the cool nickname option Dan and means ‘God is my judge’.
21. Darren:
Meaning ‘little great one’, Darren would suit your little one really well.
22. David:
Hailing from Hebrew language, David means ‘beloved’.
23. Dean:
This brilliant name is taken from the Old English word denu, which means ‘valley’.
24. Derek:
Derek is the short form of Theodoric and means ‘ruler’.
25. Drew:
While Drew is mainly used for girls now, it was restricted to boys in the 1980s. It means ‘strong and manly’.
26. Dustin:
This name is tied with Dustin Hoffman, the Oscar-winning actor. It means ‘valiant fighter’.
27. Edward:
Eight English kings bore the name Edward, which makes it an excellent regal name. Edward means ‘prosperous protector’.
28. Edwin:
We love the regal feel of Edwin. And it sounds a lot rarer than Edward. Edwin means ‘rich friend’.
29. Elliot:
If it were good enough for “E.T.”, it would be good enough for your son as well. Elliot means ‘Jehovah is God’.
30. Emilio:
Nothing says 80s more than this name. Emilio has the perfect mix of playfulness and tradition.
31. Eric:
This princely name for a dashing man means ‘ruler’.
32. Ferris:
Name you son Ferris and be sure to have a smart and clever fellow.
33. Gareth:
If you want a baby boy name that wasn’t too popular in the 80s, you can pick the Middle English name Gareth, which means ‘enclosure’.
34. Gary:
While Gary was on a decline in the 1950s, it did pretty well in the 80s. Gary means ‘spear’.
35. Gregory:
This elegant name evokes the decency of Gregory Peck, the actor. It means ‘vigilant watchman’.
36. Harrison:
Harrison, meaning ‘son of Harry’ was the ultimate tough guy name of the 80s.
37. Huey:
This moniker of the most loved nephew of Donald, was a favorite in 80s. Huey means ‘intelligent’.
38. Ian:
If you have Scottish roots, pick Ian, the Scottish version of John for your son. It means ‘God is gracious’.
39. Jacob:
The winner of the 80s and still going strong, Jacob means supplanter’.
40. Jake:
You can use Jake as a short form of Jacob or as a standalone name.
41. James:
If you’re fond of Biblical names, James, meaning ‘supplanter’ would be a good choice.
42. Jared:
In the 80s, Jared, meaning ‘descending’, was considered a hyper-masculine name.
43. Jareth:
Jareth is associated with the 1986 hit movie “Labyrinth”. It means ‘bled of jar’.
44. Jason:
In the Greek mythology, Jason is mentioned for his search for the Golden Fleece. Jason means ‘to heal’.
45. Jeffrey:
A formerly aristocratic name, Jeffrey means ‘divinely peaceful’.
46. Jeremy:
Jeremy sounds sleeker and more modern than Jeremiah. It means ‘God will uplift’.
47. Jesse:
A name that’s synonymous with Jesse James, this name means ‘wealthy’.
48. John:
A classic name that never totally fades from the list, no matter what era it is. John means ‘God is gracious’.
49. Jonathan:
Jonathan is a serious and artistic name, meaning ‘Gift of God’.
50. Jordan:
This charismatic and confident name means ‘descending’.
51. Jose:
This lively Spanish version of Joseph means ‘God will increase’.
52. Joseph:
In the Bible, Joseph is mentioned as Jesus’ father. So it would make a lovely Christmas name for you. Joseph means ‘God will add’.
53. Joshua:
Joshua is an Earthy Biblical name, meaning ‘God is my salvation’.
54. Juan:
This Spanish version of John is not limited only to the Spanish-speaking world. It means ‘Lord is gracious’.
55. Justin:
This dutiful and serious name got swag via Justin Timberlake. It means ‘just’.
56. Keith:
Keith is a slender and rebellious Welsh name, meaning ‘battle place’.
57. Kenneth:
Kenneth was the favorite, pop culture name of 80s. It means ‘handsome or oath’.
58. Kevin:
This name was popularized via the 7th century Saint Kevin, the founder of the monastery in Dublin. Kevin means ‘handsome’.
59. Knox:
Much before Brangelina, Knox was a household name of the 80s. It means ‘round hill’.
60. Kyle:
A handsome Irish name, meaning ‘land where cattle graze’.
61. Lee:
If you don’t want your son’s name to be shortened at school, pick the name Lee, which means ‘meadow’.
62. Lloyd:
The name Lloyd holds the romantic image of the 80s. It means ‘grey’.
63. Luke:
A short and sweet name for your bundle of joy, Luke means ‘light giving’.
64. Marcus:
Marcus, meaning ‘warlike’, is a lovely alternative to Mark.
65. Mark:
This firm favorite of the 80s is expected to make a comeback on the baby name charts soon. Mark means ‘man’.
66. Martin:
Martin is a classic 80s name with links to the planets. It means ‘mars or man’.
67. Matthew:
Another strong Biblical pick! Matthew means ‘gift of God’.
68. Maverick:
Maverick, is another baby name inspired by awesome 80s movie “Top Gun”, means ‘independent’.
69. Michael:
Meaning ‘Who is like God’ in Hebrew, Michael is the name of the saint who led the army against evil.
70. Nathan:
A boisterous and peppy name, it means ‘God has given’.
71. Neil:
The credit for bringing fame to this name goes to Neil Armstrong, the first person to land on the moon. Neil means ‘cloud’.
72. Nicholas:
Its namesake is St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, whom we popularly know as Santa Clause. Nicholas means ‘people’.
73. Oliver:
Oliver is as much in use now as it was in the 1980s. It means ‘olive tree’.
74. Patrick:
Patrick is the name of the patron of Ireland and means ‘nobleman’.
75. Paul:
Paul is a lovely traditional name, meaning ‘small or humble’.
76. Peter:
Peter, as in Peter Parker, would make a classic superhero name for your son. Peter means ‘rock’.
77. Philip:
Philip is the anglicized version of Philippos and means ‘horse or friend’.
78. Richard:
This name has been loved since ages. William Shakespeare adored it so much that he used in several of his plays. Richard means ‘brave or hard’.
79. River:
River Phoenix and his movie “Stand by Me” attracted parents to this name. River means ‘a river’.
80. Robert:
If you want to give Robert a modern touch, shorten it to Robbie for the nickname. Robert means ‘bright’.
81. Russell:
Apart from having a soft sound, Russell also has a likable pet name like Russy and Rusty. Russell means ‘red hair color’.
82. Ryan:
This name has stayed in the top baby boys name charts for most years. Ryan is an Irish name, meaning ‘king’.
83. Samuel:
Names with religious links were hugely popular in the 80s. One such name was Samuel, which means ‘God has heard’.
84. Scott:
If you are a literary-minded momma, how about naming your son Scott after Scott Fitzgerald, the author of “The Great Gatsby”?
85. Sean:
This cute Irish name means ‘God is gracious’.
86. Shawn:
This spelling variation of Sean rose to prominence in the 80s. It means ‘God is gracious’.
87. Simon:
A name like Simon is bound to be popular again. This Hebrew name means ‘listening’.
Victorian Era Baby Names
88. Spencer:
A literary name with a unique sound. Spencer, meaning ‘keeper of provisions’, was used as both first and last names in the 1980s.
89. Stephen:
Stephan is taken from the Greek word ‘stephanos’, which mean ‘crown or garland’. Shorten it to Steve for the nickname.
90. Steven:
Steven is an all-American name, meaning ‘crowned’. Shorten it to Steve for the nickname.
91. Stuart:
Stuart is basically a twist on the old English surname Steward, which means ‘guard’.
92. Teddy:
Teddy, the short form of Theodore, was a stylish name of the 80s. It means ‘god gift’.
93. Thomas:
Thomas is a popular boy name of 1980s and is as famous today. Thomas means ‘twin’.
94. Timothy:
If you find Timothy too stuffy, shorten it to Timmy. It means ‘honoring God’.
95. Travis:
Travis is a manly and handsome name, meaning ‘from Travers’.
96. Wayne:
This English name was originally used for a cart driver. It’s now associated with Bruce Wayne, the Batman. Wayne means ‘wagon’.
97. Westley:
Westley, from the “Princess Boy”, has a cowboy feel to it. It means ‘western meadow’.
98. William:
This name, sitting within the top 50 list, can never go out of fashion. It means ‘will or desire’.
99. Wyatt:
The name Wyatt, meaning ‘brave in war’ has a cowboy coolness to it, thanks to Wyatt Arp.
100. Zachary:
In the 1980s, parents realized that ‘z’ is as cool as ‘x’. Zachary means ‘God remembered’.
Popular 80s Names For Girls With Meanings
101. Alexandra:
This moniker, meaning ‘to protect’, is the feminine version of Alexander.
102. Alicia:
This 80s favorite has become a favorite with today’s parents, thanks to Diego’s elder sister in “Go, Diego, Go!” Alicia means ‘noble’.
103. Alisha:
This name peaked in 1897, when it was the 118th most popular name for girls. Alisha means ‘protected by God’.
104. Allison:
We love this name for its association with Nicholas Sparks “The Notebook”. Allison means ‘noble’.
105. Alyssa
This Hebrew name means ‘extreme joy or happiness’, which your little princess would be to you.
106. Amanda:
This feminine and romantic name can never go out of style. Amanda means ‘much loved’ in Latin.
107. Amber:
Amber is one of the most popular gem names. It means ‘amber stone.
108. Amy:
This sweet and peaceful moniker, meaning ‘beloved’ reminds us of Amy from “Little Women”.
109. Anabelle:
Anabelle is an Old French name and means ‘lovable’.
110. Andrea:
A favorite with the Americans, Andrea means ‘strong’.
111. Angela:
Angela does sound a bit retro now in front of Angelina and Angelica, but it has a charm of its own. Angela means ‘angel’.
112. Anna:
This simple and beautiful Latin name means ‘grace’.
113. Annie:
Anne was cool, but Annie was cooler in the 80s. Annie means ‘grace’.
114. Anya:
The name Anya was beyond edgy and cool 80s baby names. It means ‘grace’.
115. April:
This moniker sounds as fresh as springtime. It means ‘to open’.
116. Atari:
If you want something truly unique for your daughter, go out of the box and pick Atari for her. Atari means ‘success’.
117. Bridget:
The charming Irish name, meaning ‘strength’, exudes carefree and positive vibes.
118. Brittany:
Brittany is an attractive and crisp name, meaning ‘from Britain’.
119. Caitlyn:
A refreshing spin on names like Catherine and Kathleen. It means ‘pure’.
120. Caroline:
Caroline comes from Scandinavian name Karl and means ‘free man’.
121. Catherine:
This moniker with royal roots would be perfect for your little girl. It means ‘pure’.
122. Charlotte:
This timeless classic is basically the feminine version of Charles and means ‘free man’.
123. Christina:
When Christine becomes a glamorous star, she becomes Christina. Christina means ‘follower of Christ’.
124. Christine:
Christine sounds classic and modern at the same time. It means ‘Christian’.
125. Claire:
This luminous name, meaning ‘bright’, sounds feminine, but not frilly.
126. Courtney:
Courtney was the pretty name of the 80s. It means ‘from the court’.
127. Crystal:
This name, meaning ‘brilliant glass’, is tied strongly with the 80s.
128. Cyndi:
A girl named after Cyndi Lauper is bound to find fun in everything she does. Cyndi means ‘of Cynthus’.
129. Danielle:
Danielle is the female form of Daniel and means ‘God is my judge’.
130. Debbie:
Is there any 80s figure more iconic than Debby Harry? Her name means ‘bee’.
131. Donna:
Donna is taken from the Italian word, which means ‘lady’.
132. Elizabeth:
This Biblical name, also linked to the royal family, means ‘god is gracious’.
133. Emily:
This Roman name has been a popular pick for more than 20 years now. It means ‘rival’.
134. Emma:
The top name of today was loved in the 80s as well. Emma means ‘universe’.
135. Erin:
This affable name sounds trendier than Emily and Emma. Erin means ‘from Ireland’.
136. Gemma:
Gemma would make a pretty name for any girl. Hailing from England, Gemma means ‘precious gemstone’.
137. Gertie:
Gertie is possibly shortened version of Gertrude, but it has its own charm.
138. Hannah:
Hannah, with its soft and gentle sound, has a laid back, yet aristocratic image. It means ‘grace’.
139. Hayley:
You can never go wrong with a nature-inspired name. Hayley means ‘wood meadow’.
140. Hazel:
Celebrities love the name Hazel. Emily Blunt chose this name for her daughter. Hazel means ‘hazel tree’.
141. Heather:
This name reminds us of feathered hairdos of the 80s. It means ‘flowering shrub’.
142. Helen:
In the Greek mythology, Helen was Leda’s and Zeus’ daughter, whose kidnapping lead to the Trojan war. Helen means ‘shining light’
143. Holly:
After being out of favor in the 70s, Holly made her way back to the 80s as a nature name. Holly means ‘to prick’.
144. Jaclyn:
This variation of Jacqueline peaked in 1988. Jaclyn means ‘supplanter’.
145. Jamie:
A casual and cool unisex that was used only for girls in the 80s, Jamie means ‘supplanter’.
146. Jenna:
This soft sounding name is taken from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar and means ‘light’.
147. Jennifer:
If there’s any Welsh link in your family, honor her by naming your daughter Jennifer, which means ‘white or fair’.
148. Jessica:
William Shakespeare used this name for the first time in his play “The Merchant of Venice”. It means ‘God beholds’.
149. Jill:
Jill was consistently on the top 100-baby name list from years 1957 to 1983. It means ‘youthful’.
150. Joanna:
This name of Greek and English origin soared to its highest spot in 1984. Joanna means ‘god is gracious’.
151. Joanne:
Joanne is a female variation of John and means ‘God is gracious’.
152. Jodie:
Jodie is a gender-neutral name, but was used mainly for girls in 80s. It means ‘praised’.
153. Julie:
Julie, meaning ‘youthful’, was the most popular baby name in 1980s.
154. Karen:
Another diminutive of Katherine, this name means ‘pure’.
155. Kate:
A delicate and sweet name, meaning ‘pure’.
156. Katherine:
Katherine is taken from Greek word katharos, which means ‘pure’.
157. Kathleen:
This name is tied with Kathleen Hanna, the lead singer of 80s band, Bikini Kill. Kathleen means ‘pure’.
158. Katie:
Katie, meaning ‘pure’, has been a regular on the top baby name list for girls.
159. Kayla:
The soap opera, “Days of our Lives” made this name a superstar. It means ‘crown’.
160. Kelly:
This 80s bouncy teenager name means means ‘war’.
161. Kerry:
This Irish name means ‘Ciar’s descendent’.
162. Kimberly:
A classic English name that can be shortened to Kim, Kimberly means ‘meadow’.
163. Kirsty:
Kirsty is the Scottish form of Kirsten and means ‘a follower of Christ’.
164. Kristen:
The only issue with this name is its similarity with Kirsten, Kristin, and Kirstie. It means ‘a Christian’.
165. Lacey:
This ultra-feminine name would make a unique pick for a girl of today’s generation. It means ‘from Lassy’.
166. Laura:
A name that’ll forever be trendy, Laura means ‘laurel tree’.
167. Lauren:
This name is a feminine derivate of Lawrence, which means ‘from Laurentius’.
168. Leanne:
Leanne is well established, yet not very common. It means ‘sun’.
169. Lindsey:
This perky and sporty name means ‘linden trees by the water’.
170. Lisa:
In the 80s, Lisa was one of the most used nicknames for Elizabeth. It means ‘God is my oath’.
171. Louise:
Louise is the feminine form of Louis and means ‘famous warrior’.
172. Lucy:
An elegant short form of Lucinda, Lucy means ‘light’.
173. Lydia:
Thanks to Lydia Lunch for bringing this name to the forefront in the 80s. Lydia means ‘woman from Lydia’.
174. Maria:
Maria, meaning ‘bitter’, was one of the top 1980 baby names, and it is still quite popular.
175. Marissa:
Having been moderately popular name in 80s, Marissa has dropped down dramatically on the list. It means ‘little Mary’.
176. Mary:
The most simple and classic of all names, Mary means ‘bitter’.
177. Megan:
This name ranked 14 in the 80s and then dropped down to 308. Mega means ‘pearl’.
178. Melissa:
Sweet and gentle name, Melissa means ‘honey bee’.
179. Michelle:
Michelle, the superstar name of the 80s, means ‘who is like God’.
180. Molly:
The name Molly, meaning ‘bitter’, has a girl-next-door image, which attracts parents even today.
181. Monica:
This saintly name reminds us of the series, “FRIENDS”. It means ‘advisor’.
182. Natalie:
Natalie, meaning ‘the lord’s birthday’, would be a perfect pick if your due date is during Christmas.
183. Natasha:
Another name that would be perfect for a Christmas baby, Natasha is a Russian name, meaning ‘Lord’s birthday’.
184. Nicola:
Nicola is the feminine version of Nicholas and means ‘people’.
185. Nicole:
This lissome and lovely Latin name means ‘victorious people’.
186. Rachel:
This Biblical name was popular right from the 80s to the 00s. Rachel means ‘ewe’.
187. Rebecca:
This ultra-feminine name, originating in Hebrew, means ‘captivating’.
188. Samantha:
Samantha is the feminine form of Samuel and means ‘God has heard’.
189. Sarah:
Despite being classed as a quintessential 80s name, Sarah, meaning ‘princess’ is still one of the most popular names today.
190. Shannon:
Shannon is a wholesome and athletic sounding name, meaning ‘little wise owl’.
191. Sloane:
This name, meaning ‘fighter’, has a sophisticated simplicity and a strong sound.
192. Sophie:
This form of Sophia has remained popular through the decades. It means ‘wisdom’.
193. Stacey:
Stacey is a beautiful Greek name, meaning ‘bountiful grapes’.
194. Stephanie:
Stephanie was one of the coolest names of the 80s. It means ‘crowned in victory’.
195. Tara:
Tara Reid, the America actress, brought attention to this name. It means ‘rocky hill’.
196. Tiffany:
Tiffany, meaning ‘manifestation of divinity’, was originally used for girls born on the Feast of the Epiphany.
197. Vanessa:
This Greek moniker, meaning ‘butterfly’, oozes sensuous charm.
198. Veronica:
Veronica was the ultimate badass name of the 80s.
199. Victoria:
This elegant name would suit your little princess really well. It means ‘to conquer’.
200. Zoe:
This typical 80s Greek name means ‘life’.
