1980s Baby Names
152 1980s names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
1980s baby names are the names that defined a decade of big ambition and bigger hair — a mix of primetime glamour, playful new spellings, and parents eager to give their kids something distinctive. It was the decade Dynasty made Fallon a household name, while cartoons introduced kids to Cheetara and Teela.
Soap opera and primetime glamour
Nighttime dramas were must-watch TV, and their glossy characters inspired real baby names. Fallon came straight off the screen, while Tiffany and Brandy carried that same sparkly, luxe feel parents loved.
Preppy classics that ruled the decade
Alongside the glamour, the 80s had a wholesome, all-American streak. Jessica, Jenna, Megan and Brittany topped birth certificates everywhere, and boys got that same easy, friendly energy with Corey and Chadd.
Cartoon and pop-culture heroines
Saturday morning cartoons and chart-topping music gave parents fresh inspiration. Cheetara leapt off the small screen, Teela came from a beloved action cartoon, and Siedah echoed the R&B sound of the era.
Inventive spellings and standout boy names
The 80s also embraced personalization, reworking familiar names into fresh variations like Meggan and Meagon. Boys got equally bold treatment with Dustan, Durell, Trumaine and Jamaar.
Every name below links to its own page with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, famous bearers, and a clear audio pronunciation — so you can hear it before you choose.
1980s Girl Names
Jessica#665 in the U.S.Likely coined or popularized by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596) from Hebrew Yis▶Jenna#679 in the U.S.Diminutive form of Jennifer or an independent form from the Cornish and Welsh Guinevere or Gwen▶Fallon#779 in the U.S.Leader or superior; anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname O Fallamhain, meaning descendant ▶Tiffany#880 in the U.S.From Greek Theophania meaning manifestation of God; the name given to children born on or aroun▶Megan#889 in the U.S.Welsh diminutive of Margaret, from Latin Margarita and Greek Margarites meaning pearl; the Wels▶Brittany#928 in the U.S.From Brittania or Armorica, the historical region of northwestern France settled by Celtic Brit▶Brandy#3221 in the U.S.From Dutch brandewijn meaning 'burnt wine' (the distilled spirit), used as a given name since t▶Daielle#4326 in the U.S.Daielle is a respelling of Danielle, the French feminine form of Daniel, from the Hebrew for 'G▶Cheetara#7811 in the U.S.Cheetara is a coined name from the 1980s animated series ThunderCats, where Cheetara is a swift▶Meaghan#8257 in the U.S.Meaghan is an ornate, faux-Irish spelling of Megan, the Welsh pet form of Margaret, from Greek ▶Siedah#8630 in the U.S.Siedah is best understood as a spelling of the Arabic Saida (or Sayyida), meaning 'happy, fortu▶Kandice#9286 in the U.S.Kandice is a K-fronted respelling of Candice, itself from Candace — the Latinized dynastic titl▶Caressa#9672 in the U.S.Caressa is a name built on the word caress, from the French caresse and Italian carezza, 'a ten▶Lacresha#9745 in the U.S.Lacresha is a coined American name that pairs the popular La- prefix with the -cresha sound of ▶Lyndsay#10118 in the U.S.Lyndsay is a stylized spelling of Lindsay, an English surname from a place name meaning 'Lincol▶Kortni#10217 in the U.S.Kortni is a K-spelling of Courtney, a surname-turned-first-name from the French place Courtenay▶Shantell#11023 in the U.S.Shantell is a phonetic English spelling of Chantelle, itself an elaboration of Chantal -- origi▶Meagon#11042 in the U.S.Meagon is a respelling of Megan, the Welsh pet form of Margaret, which comes from the Greek mar▶Brandis#11162 in the U.S.Brandis is an elaboration of Brandy, the spirit-name that became a popular 1970s girls' name; a▶Lasheena#11251 in the U.S.Lasheena pairs the popular La- prefix with Sheena, the anglicized Scottish Sìne, itself a form ▶Brittan#11349 in the U.S.Brittan is a trimmed spelling of Brittany, the name of the Celtic region of northwestern France▶Allyse#11415 in the U.S.Allyse is a respelling that sits between Elise and Alyssa. Elise is a French short form of Eliz▶Brittay#11600 in the U.S.Brittay is a rare variant spelling of Brittany, the hugely popular 1980s name taken from the re▶Shekia#11610 in the U.S.Shekia is a coined American name that joins a She- prefix with the -kia ending shared by names ▶Meggan#11650 in the U.S.Meggan is a spelling of Megan, the Welsh pet form of Margaret -- from Greek 'margarites', 'pear▶Nakima#11731 in the U.S.Nakima is a coined American name that joins the popular Na- prefix with a -kima ending, in the ▶Tanesha#11846 in the U.S.Tanesha is a coined African-American name pairing the Ta- opening with the -nesha ending in the▶Chistina#12087 in the U.S.Chistina is best explained as a spelling variant of Christina, most likely arising from an omit▶Teela#12139 in the U.S.Teela is a modern American coinage, probably an elaboration of Tia or Tila with a soft -la endi▶Lotoya#12431 in the U.S.Lotoya is a spelling of Latoya, a coined African American name built from the La-/Lo- prefix an▶Cerissa#12514 in the U.S.Cerissa is a soft-C respelling in the Carissa and Clarissa family. Carissa is usually linked to▶Tocarra#12598 in the U.S.Tocarra is a rare coined American name that pairs a To- opening with the -carra element echoing▶Keshia#12781 in the U.S.Keshia is a spelling of Keisha, most often traced to Keziah — one of Job's daughters in the Bib▶Cristin#12783 in the U.S.Cristin is a spelling of Kristin, a Scandinavian form of Christine/Christina, from the Latin Ch▶Krystin#12860 in the U.S.Krystin is a decorative K-spelling of Kristin, a Scandinavian short form of Christina -- from G▶Ranada#12977 in the U.S.Ranada is a modern American coinage in the -ada family, close in sound to Renata and Ramona. It▶Melyssa#13009 in the U.S.Melyssa is a decorative respelling of Melissa, from Greek melissa, 'honeybee' (itself from meli▶Lakia#13214 in the U.S.Lakia is a modern American coinage built from the fashionable La- prefix and a light -kia endin▶Lekeisha#13388 in the U.S.Lekeisha joins the Le- prefix to Keisha, a name usually connected to Keziah — in the Bible a da▶Britanee#13424 in the U.S.Britanee is a creative phonetic spelling of Brittany, the English name of the French region Bre▶Dominque#13561 in the U.S.Dominque is a spelling of Dominique — dropping the second -i- — the French form of Latin Domini▶Shakina#13725 in the U.S.Shakina is a late-century American coinage built from the fashionable Sha- prefix and a -kina e▶Brittnay#13839 in the U.S.Brittnay is a spelling of Brittany with the final vowels swapped -- the region name from Latin ▶Tanika#14186 in the U.S.Tanika is a modern African-American invented name, joining the Ta- prefix to a -nika ending. Li▶Cristyn#14199 in the U.S.Cristyn is a modern y-spelling of Christine or Kristin, both derived from Christina, from the G▶Lakita#14333 in the U.S.Lakita is a modern American coinage built from the fashionable La- prefix and a crisp -kita end▶Krystl#14652 in the U.S.Krystl is a condensed phonetic respelling of Crystal, from the Greek krystallos, 'ice, clear gl▶Lakeia#14676 in the U.S.Lakeia is an African-American coined name built from the fashionable La- prefix and a -keia ele▶Sharah#14720 in the U.S.Sharah is a phonetic respelling of Sarah, from the Hebrew sarah, meaning 'princess' or 'noblewo▶Porsche#14737 in the U.S.Porsche is the name Portia respelled to match the German sports-car maker. Portia itself comes ▶Lakresha#14748 in the U.S.Lakresha is a coined American name that joins the popular La- prefix with a Kresha element echo▶Rashonda#14780 in the U.S.Rashonda is a modern American coinage joining the Ra- prefix to the -shonda ending shared by La▶Latesha#14786 in the U.S.Latesha is a coined American name blending the La- prefix with the -tesha/-ticia sound of Letic▶Ashlea#14832 in the U.S.Ashlea is a respelling of Ashley, from the Old English 'aesc' ('ash tree') plus 'leah' ('wood, ▶Chiquita#14871 in the U.S.Chiquita is Spanish for 'little girl' or 'little one,' the affectionate diminutive of chica, 'g▶Ciji#14898 in the U.S.Ciji is a phonetic rendering of the initials C.J., with no separate lexical meaning. It entered▶Stephani#14998 in the U.S.Stephani is Stephanie with the final -e dropped, from Greek stephanos, 'a crown or garland' — t▶Ashle#15057 in the U.S.Ashle is a shortened spelling of Ashley, from the Old English æsc ('ash tree') and lēah ('wood,▶Venessa#15080 in the U.S.Venessa is a respelling of Vanessa, a name invented by Jonathan Swift around 1713 for his frien▶Lyndsie#15222 in the U.S.Lyndsie is one of the many creative spellings of Lindsay, an English surname from a place name ▶Tiffney#15262 in the U.S.Tiffney is a variant spelling of Tiffany, which comes from the Greek Theophania, 'the manifesta▶Monisha#15355 in the U.S.Monisha traces most cleanly to Sanskrit Manisha, 'intellect, thought, wisdom' (a name also of t▶Shamika#15382 in the U.S.Shamika is a modern African-American invented name, pairing the Sha- prefix with the -mika endi▶Shena#15392 in the U.S.Shena is a shorter spelling of Sheena, the English rendering of the Scottish Gaelic 'Sine' -- i▶Caress#15457 in the U.S.Caress is a word-name taken straight from caress, 'a gentle, affectionate touch,' from the Fren▶Cyrstal#15585 in the U.S.Cyrstal is a transposed misspelling-turned-name of Crystal, from Greek krystallos, 'ice; clear ▶Cherelle#15613 in the U.S.Cherelle is a single-r elaboration of Cheryl, a twentieth-century name tied to French 'cherie',▶Renada#15656 in the U.S.Renada is a variant of Renata, the feminine of the Latin renatus, 'reborn' — a name with early ▶Dannielle#15677 in the U.S.Dannielle is an ornamented spelling of Danielle, the French feminine of Daniel, from Hebrew 'Da▶Deidra#15703 in the U.S.Deidra is a simplified spelling of Deirdre, the tragic heroine of Irish legend whose name is tr▶Candyce#15706 in the U.S.Candyce is a y-spelled variant of Candace, a name from the Latin form of an Ethiopic royal titl▶Marquita#15726 in the U.S.Marquita reads as a Spanish-flavored diminutive built on the -ita ending ('little'). It is vari▶Christin#15727 in the U.S.Christin is a trimmed spelling of Christine or Christina, names built on Greek christianos, 'a ▶Diandra#15736 in the U.S.Diandra is a blended name joining Di -- from Diana or Diane -- with the -andra ending of Sandra▶Candi#15748 in the U.S.Candi is an -i spelling of Candy, the short form of Candace (Candice), a title borne by queens ▶Casi#15763 in the U.S.Casi is a trimmed respelling of Casey — from the Irish surname Ó Cathasaigh, meaning 'vigilant'▶Natoya#15857 in the U.S.Natoya is a coined American name built on the -toya sound found in Latoya and Toya, fronted wit▶Eboni#15956 in the U.S.Eboni is a stylish -i respelling of Ebony, the dense black wood whose name traces through Latin▶Candis#15989 in the U.S.Candis is a streamlined spelling of Candice, from Candace — the Latinized dynastic title (Kanda▶Cassy#16002 in the U.S.Cassy is an affectionate short form usually of Cassandra — the Trojan prophetess of Greek myth ▶Tabetha#16018 in the U.S.Tabetha is a respelling of Tabitha, from the Aramaic 'tabita', 'gazelle' -- the New Testament n▶Phylicia#16071 in the U.S.Phylicia is an ornate spelling of Felicia, the feminine of the Latin felix, 'happy, fortunate, ▶Kamesha#16194 in the U.S.Kamesha is an invented American name built from the popular Ka- opening and the -esha ending sh▶Takera#16218 in the U.S.Takera is a modern American coinage, pairing the Ta- opening common to names like Tamika and Ta▶Mehgan#16223 in the U.S.Mehgan is a variant spelling of Megan/Meghan, the Welsh pet form of Margaret. Margaret comes fr▶Jerika#16283 in the U.S.Jerika is a modern blend name: parents fused a Jer-/Jeri- opener with the -ika of Erica, or rea▶Lakendra#16450 in the U.S.Lakendra is a coined American name pairing the La- prefix with Kendra -- an English name usuall▶Lauran#16470 in the U.S.Lauran is a variant spelling of Lauren, the feminine adoption of Laurence, from the Latin Laure▶Latoria#16532 in the U.S.Latoria is a coined American name pairing the popular La- prefix with the -toria of Victoria (L▶Lisamarie#16632 in the U.S.Lisamarie is a run-together compound of the classic double name Lisa Marie: Lisa is a short for▶Latasha#16639 in the U.S.Latasha joins the productive prefix La- to Tasha, the pet form of Natasha (a Russian form of Na▶Cherrelle#16642 in the U.S.Cherrelle is a decorative elaboration of Cheryl, a name that arose in the twentieth century, pr▶Shameka#16652 in the U.S.Shameka is a modern African-American invented name, joining the popular Sha- prefix to a -meka ▶Lashundra#16671 in the U.S.Lashundra is a coined American name pairing the popular La- prefix with a -shundra ending, clos▶Kendrah#16789 in the U.S.Kendrah is a spelling variant of Kendra, a twentieth-century name usually explained as a femini▶Kandi#16839 in the U.S.Kandi is a K-spelled form of Candy, the affectionate short form of Candace -- a name from the a▶Nakita#16892 in the U.S.Nakita is an English respelling of Nikita, a Russian name from the Greek Aniketos, 'unconquered▶Phylisha#16927 in the U.S.Phylisha is a creative phonetic respelling of Felicia, from the Latin felix, 'happy, lucky, for▶Nickole#16944 in the U.S.Nickole is a respelling of Nicole, the French feminine of Nicholas, from Greek nikelaos, 'victo▶Bryttany#16947 in the U.S.Bryttany is a variant spelling of Brittany, the 1980s favorite taken from the region of Brittan▶Shalonda#16950 in the U.S.Shalonda is a coined African-American name built from the Sha- prefix and a -londa ending in th▶Tekia#16950 in the U.S.Tekia is a coined American name that joins a Te- prefix with the -kia ending found in names lik▶Sharonda#16962 in the U.S.Sharonda extends Sharon with a rhythmic -da ending. Sharon is a Hebrew place name for the ferti▶Tahnee#17056 in the U.S.Tahnee is a respelling of Tawny/Tawnee, from the color word tawny — Anglo-French tauné, 'tan, g▶Cassondra#17061 in the U.S.Cassondra is an -o- spelling of Cassandra, the Trojan princess of Greek myth cursed to utter tr▶Terica#17112 in the U.S.Terica is a coined blend that joins Terri — a short form of Teresa — with Erica, the feminine o▶Riane#17166 in the U.S.Riane is a variant of Riana/Rhian and a feminine form of Ryan. Ryan derives from the Irish Ó Ri▶Sharde#17168 in the U.S.Sharde is a shorter phonetic spelling of Sade, the Yoruba name (from Folasade, 'honor confers a▶Shenna#17211 in the U.S.Shenna is a doubled-n spelling in the Sheena family, the English rendering of the Scottish Gael▶Mallary#17231 in the U.S.Mallary is a spelling variant of Mallory, a Norman nickname-surname from the Old French malheur▶Shamara#17236 in the U.S.Shamara pairs the Sha- prefix with the -mara sound shared by Tamara and Samara. Tamara comes fr▶Sharina#17243 in the U.S.Sharina is a modern American coinage joining a Sha- opening to a graceful -ina ending, close in▶Tawny#17377 in the U.S.Tawny is a word-name from the color tawny, a warm golden- or orange-brown, from the Old French ▶Sherita#17395 in the U.S.Sherita extends Sheri or Sherry with the affectionate -ita ending. Sherry itself comes from the▶Tiffanie#17416 in the U.S.Tiffanie is an -ie spelling of Tiffany, the medieval English form of Greek Theophania, 'the app▶Jillianne#17417 in the U.S.Jillianne joins Jillian, a form of Julian from the Roman Julius, traditionally 'youthful' or 'd▶Whitnie#17533 in the U.S.Whitnie is a 1980s respelling of Whitney, an English surname from a place name combining Old En▶Shantae#17603 in the U.S.Shantae is a modern spelling in the Shante/Chante family, from the French chante, 'sung' (the p▶Sharika#17611 in the U.S.Sharika is chiefly an African-American coinage joining the popular Sha- prefix to the melodic -▶Stephaine#17656 in the U.S.Stephaine is a spelling of Stephanie with the a and i swapped -- the feminine of Stephen, from ▶Krystle#17666 in the U.S.Krystle is a decorative respelling of Crystal, which comes from Greek krystallos, 'ice; clear r▶Charde#17866 in the U.S.Charde is a phonetic respelling in the family of Sade, the stage name of British-Nigerian singe▶Charmayne#17874 in the U.S.Charmayne is an -ayne respelling of Charmaine, a name that entered wide American use through th▶Jenilee#18036 in the U.S.Jenilee is an American combination name joining Jeni -- from Jennifer, ultimately the Cornish/W▶Tiffeny#18208 in the U.S.Tiffeny is an -eny respelling of Tiffany, a name that comes from the Greek Theophania, 'appeara▶Magen#18239 in the U.S.Magen is a respelling of Megan, the Welsh pet form of Marged (Margaret), from the Greek margari▶Jackee#18254 in the U.S.Jackee is a dressed-up spelling of Jackie, the short form of Jacqueline — the French feminine o▶Khandi#18493 in the U.S.Khandi is a K-spelled variant of Candy, the pet form of Candace, a title once carried by ancien▶Lashanda#18628 in the U.S.Lashanda is an African-American coinage built from the melodic La- prefix and Shanda (a short f▶Shandi#18714 in the U.S.Shandi is a modern American coinage joining a Sha- opening to a -ndi ending, close in sound to ▶Shardae#18721 in the U.S.Shardae spells out the sound of Sade, the Yoruba name (short for Folasade, 'honor confers a cro▶Shaquita#18724 in the U.S.Shaquita is a coined American name pairing the Sha- prefix with -quita, a Spanish diminutive en▶Tashia#18962 in the U.S.Tashia is a short, respelled form drawn from Natasha and Latasha. Natasha is the Russian pet fo▶Tenisha#19044 in the U.S.Tenisha is a coined African-American name pairing the Te- opening with the -nisha ending that e▶Tifany#19062 in the U.S.Tifany is a simplified, single-f spelling of Tiffany, from the Greek Theophania, 'manifestation▶Taneka#19248 in the U.S.Taneka is a mid-century African American coinage: the fashionable Ta- prefix joined to a -neka ▶Tawni#19327 in the U.S.Tawni is a respelling of Tawny, the English color word for a warm golden-brown, from Old French▶Toccara#19374 in the U.S.Toccara is a modern African-American coinage with no established older root; it is prized for i▶Syreeta#19722 in the U.S.Syreeta is a modern coinage with no established older root, prized for its bright three-beat so▶
1980s Boy Names
Corey#778 in the U.S.From the hollow; anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname Corra or Corraidhin, possibly meanin▶Trumaine#9661 in the U.S.Trumaine is a spelling of Tremaine, a Cornish place-name and surname from tre ('homestead, sett▶Durell#10089 in the U.S.Durell is a first-name use of the Norman-English surname Durrell, itself from Old French 'durel▶Chadd#11015 in the U.S.Chadd is a double-d spelling of Chad, which descends from Old English Ceadda, the name of a rev▶Dustan#11102 in the U.S.Dustan is a variant spelling of Dustin, an English surname that goes back to the Old Norse pers▶Catlin#12336 in the U.S.As a boy's name Catlin comes from the English surname Catlin (also spelled Catlett), a family n▶Cordaro#12498 in the U.S.Cordaro is a modern American boys' coinage, close in sound to Cordell and to the Spanish surnam▶Dwan#12725 in the U.S.Dwan is a modern American name, a trimmed reshaping in the Dwayne and Antwan family that also e▶Jamaar#13012 in the U.S.Jamaar is an elongated spelling of Jamar, itself a form of the Arabic Jamal, from jamal, 'beaut▶Jerrad#13012 in the U.S.Jerrad is a respelling of Jared, a biblical name from Hebrew Yered, 'descent.' In Genesis, Jare▶Jerad#13140 in the U.S.Jerad is a phonetic respelling of Jared, from the Hebrew Yered, 'descent.' Jared is a biblical ▶Rishawn#13637 in the U.S.Rishawn is a coined name pairing a Ri- prefix with Shawn, the English spelling of the Irish Sea▶Travaris#14135 in the U.S.Travaris is a coined American name in the same family as Tavaris and Tavares, elaborated with t▶
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Frequently Asked
What are 1980s baby names?
1980s baby names are the names most associated with children born in that decade — from soap-opera glamour picks like Fallon and Tiffany to wholesome classics like Jessica and Megan, plus a wave of creative new spellings parents invented to make familiar names feel unique.
What are popular 1980s girl names?
Jessica, Jenna, Megan, Brittany, Tiffany and Brandy were among the defining girl names of the decade, prized for their bright, upbeat sound.
What are popular 1980s boy names?
Corey, Chadd, Dustan, Durell, Trumaine and Jamaar reflect both the friendly classics and the bolder, more distinctive names boys received in the 80s.
Why did 80s parents choose inventive spellings like Meggan or Meagon?
The 1980s saw a rise in personalized spelling variations as parents sought to make a familiar name feel one-of-a-kind for their own child, giving us alternates like Meggan and Meagon alongside the standard Megan.
How many 1980s baby names are on More4Kids?
More4Kids lists 152 1980s baby names, each with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, and an audio pronunciation.