Thumbs up to Cyndi Lauper and use your brain: it’s time to pick a totally cool baby name that embodies retro cool without being too much of a bully. Where better to draw inspiration from the decade that made so many of us? Some of the hottest names of the day have managed to retain their spot on the Top 1000 Baby Names list, proving they have as much staying power as a super strong can of Aqua Net.
If big names of the decade like Jessica and Jennifer aren’t your cup of tea, that’s okay—there are plenty of other popular ’80s names that have stood the test of time. Here are some.
Alison (see also: Alison, Alison)
If it’s good enough to be Taylor Swift’s middle name, it’s good enough to be your baby’s first name. The name means “noble”.
whitney
Whitney Houston is at the top of the list—and maybe her name should be at the top of yours, too. It’s a unisex name that means “white island” and has a cool nickname, “Whit.”
Heather
The popular moniker also pays homage to two ’80s cultural icons: Heather Locklear and the cult classic Heathers.
Meg/Megan/Megan
Haven’t heard about one of these changes in years? Change it! The name is a Welsh nickname for Margaret, meaning “pearl”.
Michelle/Michelle
Tanner’s youngest sister’s name Full house Also the French feminine form of Michael.
Sarah/Sarah
The fifth most popular girl’s name of the 1980s doesn’t get the love it deserves today. Sarah/Sarah is of Hebrew origin and means “princess”. How cute is that?
Erin
If you want your daughter to have some Irish luck, you can’t go wrong with this upbeat classic or any of its variations. Eileen is a first wave Irish name meaning “from the islands to the west”.
Shannon
Although Shannon was in the top 25 names for girls in the ’70s and ’80s, it has fallen out of favor in recent decades. But this classic Irish name – meaning “old and wise” – still has plenty of charm.
Kelly
Kelly is another unmistakable Irish name that means “war” and is unisex.
Kimberley
The name has roots in Middle English and reached the top 20 in the 1980s. Interestingly, it is a place name meaning “the meadows of Cyneburga” or “the meadows from the royal fortress”.
Laura/Lauren
These names are not as common as they were in the 1980s, but they have a timeless origin: the laurel tree, which was a symbol of victory in ancient Greece.
Travis
Travis Kelce was born in 1989, sharing his birth year and album with his A-list girlfriend. His professional name in French means “tollbooth keeper.”
Zack
Maybe your future Bay High alum will be a liar like Zach Morris. Zachary or the shortened form of Zachariah means “the Lord has remembered”.
Jesse
other Full house Classic! Despite his bad boy appearance, Uncle Jesse has a heart of gold. Who doesn’t want their children to have something like this? This unisex name means “God exists.”
Joshua
The fourth most popular boy’s name in the 1980s, it is of Hebrew origin and means “The Lord is my salvation.”
Scott
Although it means “from Scotland,” your baby doesn’t have to be of Scottish descent to have this cool-kid nickname.
Daniel
If you know Daniels over the age of 30, that’s because this was a big deal in the 1980s. Fun fact, though: This Hebrew name means “God is my judge” and is in the top 100 names for Israeli girls.
Jason
The popular name came in at No. 11, just shy of its top 10 spot of the decade. Originated from Greek, meaning “healing”.
harrison
Movie buffs can pay homage to Harrison Ford, who starred in 1980s classics including indiana jones and Star Wars.
Ryan
Let’s be honest, names ending in “-yan” were all the rage during the decade of decadence. This means “little king”.
Brandon
Brandon comes from the Welsh word for “prince” – everyone knows Prince as the reigning king of the decade.
Robert
Business in the front (Robert), party in the back (Rob, Rob). This versatile name means “bright flame.”
Once we resurrect these names, what else from the ’80s should we bring back?
