Ahh, the '80s (sigh) a time for some seriously questionable haircuts, plenty of neon and no shortage of home-made mixtapes, leggings or Rubik's cubes. If you are looking for a baby name for your new bundle of joy, perhaps you’ve already considered whether to go for a traditional or edgy name, so why not consider a classic '80s name for your baby?
The '80s were an adventurous decade, known for flamboyant and extreme fashion and radical changes. Now wonderfully back in fashion, the nostalgic decade is also home to a great wave of unique and traditional baby names. Notably, in the early '80s, parents stuck to classic and Biblical monikers. It was after 1985 that different baby naming patterns, many inspired by popular culture and the increase in travelling abroad, began to emerge.
Whether you lived through the '80s and recall the decade fondly, were born in the '80s or later, we have gathered top '80s inspired names here, faster than you can say “pink leg warmers”.
Kyle, (Gaelic origin), meaning "a narrow strait".
Jennifer, (Old English origin), a classic name meaning "smooth and perfect".
Amanda, (Latin origin), meaning "loveable or lovely".
Victoria, (Latin origin) meaning "to conquer" often know by its shortened form Vikki. Although Victoria sits amongst the vintage girls names, this name became very in vogue during the late '80s.
Jackson, (English and Scottish origin), inspired by Michael Jackson.
Peter, (Greek origin), meaning "stone" or "rock".
Sophie, (Greek origin), meaning "wisdom". Still today a popular baby name.
Ashley, (Old English origin), meaning "meadow" or "forest clearing".
Sean, (Irish origin), meaning "God is gracious".
Cyndi, (Greek origin), inspired by punk pop idol Cyndi Lauper.
George, (Greek origin), a popular name inspired by George Michael. A favourite vintage boys name.
Ryan, (Irish origin), meaning "king", one of the most popular '80s names.
Luke, (Greek origin), meaning "light giving".
Michelle, (French origin), meaning "one who is Godlike". A popular female name from the '80s era.
James, (Latin origin), a popular name, meaning "heel".
Robin, (Old Germanic), meaning "bright fame", also a variant of Robert/Roberta.
Dustin, (Old Norse origin), inspired by actor Dustin Hoffman.
Dean, (Old English origin), meaning "valley".
Carrie, (Irish origin), this is the name of a song by the band Europe.
Martin, (Latin origin), derived from Mars, "the Roman God of war".
Stephen, (Greek origin), meaning "garland", or "crown"
Ian, (Scottish origin), meaning "God is gracious".
Jessica, (Hebrew origin), meaning "God beholds". One of the more common '80s names.
Mark, (Latin origin), meaning, "God of war", also derived from Mars.
Debbie, (Hebrew origin), this is the real name of '80s legendary singer, Blondie.
Kimberly, (South African origin), inspired by the English singer Kim Wilde. One of the most trendy names in the '80s
Jareth, (French origin), this is the name of the Goblin King in the film, "Labyrinth". Certainly one of the more unique '80s names.
Lorraine, (French origin), inspired by Lorraine Baines in the movie, "Back to the Future".
Janine, (Old English origin), inspired by a character in the film "Ghostbusters".
Wayne, (Old English origin), meaning "wagon" or "cart".
Thomas, (Greek origin), meaning "twin".
Billy, (Norman origin), inspired by '80s legend Billy Idol.
Stuart, (Old English origin), meaning "house guard".
Kerry, (Irish origin), meaning "dusky or dark".
Lydia, (Greek origin), inspired by Lydia Maxwell in the 1987 film "Innerspace".
Katie, (Greek origin), meaning "to cleanse".
Donna, (Italian origin), this is an English name taken from the Italian word for a woman, donna.
Jamie, (Hebrew origin), a popular name meaning "supplanter".
Simon, (Hebrew origin), meaning "listening".
Daniel, (Hebrew origin), meaning "God is my judge".
Melissa, (Greek origin), this is the name of the American singer Melissa Etheridge.
Darren, (Old English and Irish),
Justin, (Latin origin), meaning "just" and "fair".
Joanna, (Greek origin), inspired by the song with the same name by Kool and the Gang.
Natasha, (Russian origin) a Russian variant of the name Natalia, meaning "the Lord’s birthday". This is a classic '80s name.
Claire, (French origin), meaning "bright or famous".
Matthew, (Hebrew origin), meaning "gift of God".
Samantha, (Hebrew origin), meaning "God heard".
Michael, (Hebrew origin), meaning "one who is God like".
Kate, (Latin origin), meaning "pure", shortened form of the name Catherine.
Stevie, (Greek origin), inspired by Stevie Wonder and Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks.
Bowie, (Gaelic origin), inspired by David Bowie.
Roxanne, (Greek origin), renowned due to the famous Police song, Roxanne. One of the most popular names in the '80s.
Gareth, (Old English), meaning "enclosure".
Kelly, (Irish origin), meaning "bright headed".
Amy, (French origin), meaning "dearly beloved one". One of the most beloved '80s girl names.
Joseph, (Hebrew origin), meaning "God will give".
Bobby, (German and English origin), a variant of Robert/Roberta, meaning "bright fame".
Jon, (Latin origin), inspired by '80s heart throb, Jon Bon Jovi.
Louise, (Germanic origin), meaning "famous warrior", one of the most popular '80s baby names.
Oliver, (Latin origin), meaning "olive tree", this name still remains a popular baby name.
Sarah, (Hebrew origin), this classic name means "princess".
Dana, (Danish origin), inspired by a character in the film "Ghostbusters".
Tyler, (Old English origin), inspired by American Rockstar, Steve Tyler.
Karen, (Greek origin), meaning "pure".
Aaron, (Hebrew origin), meaning "mountain of strength".
Kirsty, (Scottish origin), meaning "Christian".
Hannah, (Hebrew origin), meaning "grace", a popular option for an '80s baby.
Christopher, (Greek origin), meaning "Christ".
Jodie, (Hebrew origin), meaning "Jewish woman".
Terri, (Old English origin), Terri Nunn was the lead singer of the American group Berlin.
Scott, (Scottish origin), meaning "one from Scotland".
Belinda, (Italian and Spanish origin), this is the name of '80s pop star Belinda Carlisle.
Arnie, (Hebrew origin), inspired by actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Laura, (Latin origin", meaning "the bay laurel plant".
Rachel, (Hebrew origin), meaning "ewe, or sheep".
William, (Germanic origin), meaning "desire" and "helmet production".
Lauren (French origin), meaning "laurel tree, and wisdom". This was one of the most popular baby names to emerge from the '80s.
Kylie, (Gaelic origin), inspired by none other than pop princess Kylie Minogue. Globally this is one of the top names of the '80s.
Leanne, (Old English origin), meaning "graceful and merciful". This is one of the top baby names of the '80s.
Nicola, (Latin origin) meaning "victory".
Tina, (Old English origin), the name of the iconic '80s singer Tina Turner.
David, (Hebrew origin), meaning "beloved".
Danielle, (Hebrew origin), meaning "God is my judge".
Anthony, (Latin origin), meaning "priceless".
Kevin, (Irish origin), meaning "handsome" and "beautiful".
Nicholas, (Greek origin), meaning "victory and people".
Joshua, (Hebrew origin), meaning "God is my salvation".
Lisa, (Hebrew origin), meaning "oath of God, or God’s satisfaction."
John, (Hebrew origin), meaning "God is gracious".
Natalie, (Latin origin), meaning "the birthday of the Lord". Often used for girls born at Christmas time.
Jason, (Greek origin), inspired by '80s pop icon Jason Donavon.
Lucy, (Latin origin), meaning "born at dawn, or daylight". A top choice for '80s babies.
Stacey, (Greek origin), a classic '80s baby name meaning "resurrection".
Rebecca, (Hebrew origin) meaning "captivating".
Lee, (Old English origin), meaning "a meadow" or "clearing". A classic '80s name.
Alexander, (Greek origin), meaning "defender of man".
Adam, (Hebrew origin), meaning "birth". A classic within top 100 records for '80s baby names.
Andrew, (Greek origin), meaning "brave, courageous warrior".
Zack, (Latin origin), inspired by popular American TV series, "Saved by The Bell".
Alexandra, (Greek origin) meaning "the defender of mankind".
Robert, (Germanic origin), meaning "bright fame".
Sheena, (Hebrew origin), name of the singer Sheena Easton.
Richard, (Norman origin), meaning "strong and brave". Appears frequently in '80s top 100 names lists.
Morgan, (Welsh origin), meaning "sea chief".
Corey, (Irish origin), inspired by Canadian actor, Corey Haim.
Benjamin, (Hebrew origin), meaning "the son of my right hand, or favourite son". One of the most popular baby names.
Craig, (Scottish origin), meaning "rock". This is the name of the bass player in the band "Bros".
Stephanie, (Greek origin) meaning "garland, or crown"
Timothy, (Greek origin), meaning "honouring God".
Paul, (Latin origin), meaning "small" or "humble".
Francis, (French origin), inspired by Francis "baby" Houseman in the film "Dirty Dancing".
Emma, (Germanic origin), meaning "wholesome", a popular choice for an '80s baby.
Hayley, (Old English origin), meaning "wood meadow". A top name for an '80s baby.
Gary, (Germanic origin), meaning "spear".
Leonard,(Old Germanic origin), inspired by Leonard Cohen.
Roxette, (Swedish origin) one of the '80s band names, inspired by the name of the Swedish pop rock duo, Roxette.
Joanne, (Latin origin), meaning "God is gracious".
Neil, (Irish origin), meaning "cloud".
