Most popular Mississippi boy names in the 1980s

Published 12:25 pm Sunday, May 30, 2021

PxHere

Most popular boy names in the 80s in Mississippi

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 Mississippi using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

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 100 most popular baby names of the 1980s in Mississippi.

Negative Space

#50. Jerry

Jerry is a name of English origin meaning “exalted of the Lord”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 744
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 105 (#290 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #110
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 25,596

MIA Studio // Shutterstock

#49. Nathan

Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “given”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 754
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 450 (#82 (tie) most common name, -40.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #39
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 105,962

Katrina Elena // Shutterstock

#48. Zachary

Zachary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God remembers”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 797
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 326 (#111 most common name, -59.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #43
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 101,809

Falcona // Shutterstock

#47. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning “God of war”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 826
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 137 (#234 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 129,371

Pexels

#46. Aaron

Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “high mountain”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 842
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 389 (#92 most common name, -53.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #32
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 138,343

FamVeld // Shutterstock

#45. Samuel

Samuel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “name of God”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 878
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 844 (#29 most common name, -3.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #51
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 73,406

Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#44. Jacob

Jacob is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “to follow”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 898
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,086 (#12 most common name, +20.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #35
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 124,186

Burst

#43. Larry

Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning “from the place of the laurel leaves”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 903
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 113 (#277 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #93
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 31,142

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#42. Gregory

Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning “watchful, alert”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 938
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 135 (#237 (tie) most common name, -85.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #45
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 93,649

Pixabay

#41. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning “pledge of peace”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 946
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 90 (#332 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #29
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 144,781

Unsplash

#40. Corey

Corey is a name of Irish origin meaning “round hill”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 983
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 162 (#207 most common name, -83.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #61
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 53,607

Canva

#39. Travis

Travis is a name of French origin meaning “to cross”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 987
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 199 (#174 most common name, -79.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #42
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 102,915

Canva

#38. Antonio

Antonio is a name of Spanish origin meaning “priceless one”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,055
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 276 (#129 most common name, -73.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #74
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 41,435

Canva

#37. Dustin

Dustin is a name of Norse origin meaning “brave warrior”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,105
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#335 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #44
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 97,301

Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock

#36. Willie

Willie is a name of English origin meaning “resolute”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,130
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#266 most common name, -89.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #152
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 16,622

Unsplash

#35. Stephen

Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning “wreath, crown”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,135
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 163 (#206 most common name, -85.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #36
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 113,597

Pshenina_m // Shutterstock

#34. Ryan

Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning “little king” or “illustrious”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,168
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 457 (#78 most common name, -60.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,848

Unsplash

#33. Adam

Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “earth”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,187
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 216 (#162 (tie) most common name, -81.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #22
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,049

Ana Paula Lima // Pexels

#32. Benjamin

Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “son of my days”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,195
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 676 (#50 most common name, -43.4% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,341

Pexels

#31. Patrick

Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning “nobleman”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,231
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 230 (#155 most common name, -81.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #37
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 111,365

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#30. Nicholas

Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning “victory of the people”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,239
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 378 (#96 most common name, -69.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,293

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#29. Kenneth

Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “handsome”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,249
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 293 (#124 most common name, -76.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #46
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 89,113

Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#28. Derrick

Derrick is a name of Danish origin meaning “the people’s ruler”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,260
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 214 (#165 most common name, -83.0% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #83
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 36,253

DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#27. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning “dominant ruler”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,507
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 260 (#137 most common name, -82.7% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #27
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 154,710

Canva

#26. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,549
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 275 (#130 most common name, -82.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 188,638

Canva

#25. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,556
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 258 (#138 most common name, -83.4% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #25
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,405

Gorynvd // Shutterstock

#24. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,633
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 193 (#179 most common name, -88.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,976

Pixabay

#23. Andrew

Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning “brave”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,655
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 752 (#40 most common name, -54.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,013

Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#22. Eric

Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning “sole ruler”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,773
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 256 (#139 (tie) most common name, -85.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,199

Mallmo // Shutterstock

#21. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning “twin”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,932
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 758 (#39 most common name, -60.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,743

Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock

#20. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning “honouring God”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,996
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 419 (#86 most common name, -79.0% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 172,811

Todd Trapani // Unsplash

#19. Marcus

Marcus is a name of Latin origin meaning “God of war”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,076
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 333 (#105 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #63
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 51,732

Canva

#18. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning “praiseworthy”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,148
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 583 (#57 most common name, -72.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 211,804

Canva

#17. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,237
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 600 (#55 (tie) most common name, -73.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,414

Burst

#16. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning “free man”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,480
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 821 (#31 most common name, -66.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 131,861

Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock

#15. Brandon

Brandon is a name of English origin meaning “beacon hill” or “crow”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,606
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 508 (#68 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,173

Canva

#14. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “he will add”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,788
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 916 (#19 most common name, -67.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #10
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,367

yifanjrb // Shutterstock

#13. Jason

Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning “healer”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,794
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 362 (#98 most common name, -87.0% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,016

Canva

#12. Jeremy

Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning “appointed by God”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,833
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 335 (#103 most common name, -88.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,418

Pexels

#11. Jonathan

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God has given”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,036
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 601 (#54 most common name, -80.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,906

Canva

#10. Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Gift of Yahweh”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,203
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 766 (#37 most common name, -76.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,894

Canva

#9. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “beloved”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,266
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 802 (#33 most common name, -75.4% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,610

Canva

#8. Justin

Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning “righteous”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,597
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 507 (#69 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,755

Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash

#7. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning “fame” or “bright”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,775
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 816 (#32 most common name, -78.4% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,598

Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock

#6. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Yahweh has been gracious”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,051
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,831 (#3 most common name, -54.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,034

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning “vehement protector”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,352
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,199 (#1 most common name, -49.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 248,240

Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#4. Joshua

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God Is my salvation”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,482
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,112 (#11 most common name, -75.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,533

Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#3. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,177
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,176 (#10 most common name, -77.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,592

yifanjrb // Shutterstock

#2. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “supplanter”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,880
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,860 (#2 most common name, -68.4% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,362

Adrie Molco // Shutterstock

#1. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning “Christ-bearer”.

Mississippi
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,798
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,206 (#9 most common name, -82.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,793