Popular 90s Girls Name List

The 1990s: a decade of bold patterns, iconic pop culture moments, and, of course, distinctive baby name trends. Amidst the rise of grunge, the dominance of boy bands, and the dawn of the internet age, certain girls’ names soared in popularity. This Popular 90s Girls Name List explores the most common and beloved female monikers of that era, revealing the stories behind the names and the cultural influences that propelled them to the top of the charts.

Let’s start with the reigning queens of the decade, the Top 5 most popular girls’ names:

1. Jessica: This name reigned supreme throughout the 90s. Meaning "He sees" or "God beholds," Jessica has English origins. Although Shakespeare popularized the name in The Merchant of Venice, its appeal resonated strongly with parents of the 90s.
2. Ashley: A unisex name enjoying considerable popularity on both sides of the gender divide, Ashley means "ash tree meadow." With English origins, it evokes images of natural beauty and peaceful landscapes.
3. Emily: A classic and perennially popular choice, Emily, with its Latin origins and meaning "to excel" or "rival," offered a sense of grace and accomplishment.
4. Sarah: Simple, elegant, and timeless, Sarah, meaning "princess" in Hebrew, provided a sense of regality and charm.
5. Samantha: Rounding out the Top 5 is Samantha, a name with Aramaic origin. It is the feminine form of Samuel, meaning "told by God."

Beyond the Top 5, the Top 10 Popular 90s Girls Name List reveals other strong contenders:

• Amanda: Meaning "worthy of love" in Latin, Amanda exuded warmth and endearment. Its beautiful sound and positive connotation made it a firm favorite.
• Brittany/Brittney/Britney: This name, in its various spellings, captured the youthful exuberance of the decade. Derived from "Brittany" or "Great Britain" with Latin origins, it offered a sense of connection to heritage and place.
• Elizabeth: A timeless classic with Hebrew roots, Elizabeth means "God is my oath." This name continued its reign as a popular choice.
• Taylor: An occupational name meaning "tailor" in English, Taylor foreshadowed the trend of using traditionally male names or occupational names for girls.
• Megan/Meghan: With Welsh origins, Megan means "pearl".

Examining the wider landscape of Popular 90s Girls Name List, we find a diverse range of influences and styles.

Classic Names: Many enduring classics maintained their popularity, proving that some names truly stand the test of time.

• Anna: A Hebrew name meaning "grace."
• Catherine/Katherine: The Greek name means "pure."
• Christine: Christine means "follower of Christ" with Latin origin.
• Elizabeth: A timeless name with Hebrew origins, meaning "God is my oath."
• Grace: The English name meaning "gracious one."
• Hannah: Meaning "grace" in Hebrew.
• Julia/Julie: The name means "youthful" or "downy."
• Laura: The name means "laurel."
• Margaret: Meaning "pearl" in Greek.
• Maria: The name means "of the sea."
• Mary: Meaning "of the sea."
• Rachel: Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning "ewe."
• Rebecca: Rebecca is a Hebrew name meaning "to join."
• Sara/Sarah: Both names mean "princess" in Hebrew.
• Victoria: Victoria is a Latin name that means "victory."

Names with Greek Roots:

• Alexa/Alexandra/Alexandria/Alexis: All variations share the Greek origin and meaning "defender of mankind."
• Alyssa: Alyssa is a Greek name that means "rational."
• Angela: Angela is a Greek name meaning "messenger of God."
• Cassandra: The name means "man’s defender."
• Chloe: The name means "green sprout."
• Christina: The name means "follower of Christ."
• Cynthia: Cynthia means "from Mount Kynthos."
• Kaitlin/Kaitlyn/Katelyn: The names are Irish and mean "pure."
• Katherine/Kathryn: The names are Greek and mean "pure."
• Melanie: Melanie is a Greek name that means "black."
• Melissa: Melissa is a Greek name that means "bee."
• Stephanie: Stephanie is a Greek name meaning "crown."
• Tiffany: Tiffany is a Greek name meaning "revelation of God."

Names of English Origin:

• Amber: The name Amber means "hue of yellow."
• Amy: The name Amy means "beloved one."
• Ashley: The name means "ash tree meadow."
• Autumn: The name means "season of harvest."
• Bailey: The name Bailey means "bailiff."
• Breanna: Breanna means "high and noble."
• Brooke: Brooke means "small stream."
• Chelsea: The name means "chalk landing place."
• Destiny: The name means "determined fate."
• Heather: The name means "maiden from the heath."
• Holly: The name Holly means "the holly tree."
• Jennifer: The name means "fair magical being."
• Jessica: The name Jessica means "to see."
• Jordan: The name Jordan means "to descend."
• Katie: The name means "pure."
• Kayla: The name means "pure."
• Kelsey: The name means "Cenel’s Island."
• Kimberly: The name means "Cyneburg’s meadow."
• Lauren: The name means "laurel."
• Lindsay/Lindsey: Both names mean "Lincoln’s marsh."
• Madison: The name means "son of Maud."
• Mariah: The name means "of the sea."
• Savannah: The name means "large, grassy plain."
• Shelby: The name means "willow grove."
• Sydney: The name Sydney means "wide island."
• Taylor: The name means "tailor."
• Vanessa: The name Vanessa means "created name."
• Whitney: The name Whitney means "white island."

Irish Origins:

• Briana/Brianna: The names mean "high and noble."
• Caitlin/Kaitlin/Katelyn/Kaitlyn: All the names mean "pure."
• Casey: The name means "alert and watchful."
• Erin: The name means "Ireland."
• Kelly: The name means "descendant of Ceallach."

French Origins:

• Caroline: The name means "free woman."
• Danielle: The name means "God is my judge."
• Gabrielle: The name means "God is my strength."
• Jacqueline: The name means "supplanter."
• Julie: The name means "variant form of Julia."
• Michelle: The name means "who is like God?"
• Natalie: The name means "Christmas Day."
• Nicole: The name means "victory of the people."
• Courtney: The name means "domain of Curtius."

Other Origins:

• Alicia: The Spanish name means "noble one."
• Allison: The German name means "noble one."
• Angelica: The Latin name means "angelic."
• April: The Latin name means "to open."
• Ariel: The Hebrew name means "lion of God."
• Bethany: The Hebrew name means "house of figs."
• Bianca: The Italian name means "white."
• Brittany/Brittney: The Latin name means "from Brittany or Great Britain."
• Cheyenne: The Native American name means "unintelligible speakers."
• Crystal: The Greek name means "ice."
• Diana: The Latin name means "heavenly and divine."
• Erica/Erika: The Scandinavian names mean "forever or alone, ruler."
• Jasmine: The Persian name means "jasmine flower."
• Kristen/Kristin/Kristina: The Latin/Scandinavian names mean "follower of Christ."
• Leah: The Hebrew name means "weary one."
• Lisa: The Hebrew name means "to the Lord I consecrate thee."
• Marissa: The Latin name means "of the sea."
• Miranda: The Latin name means "admirable."
• Monica: The Latin name means "virgin one."
• Morgan: The Welsh name means "circling sea."
• Olivia: The Latin name means "olive tree."
• Sabrina: The Celtic name means "siren from the river Severn."
• Shannon: The Gaelic name means "old, ancient."
• Sierra: The Spanish name means "saw."
• Veronica: The Latin name means "true image."

Gender-Neutral Names:

The 90s also saw a rise in gender-neutral names, reflecting a growing trend towards breaking traditional gender norms. Several names on this list, such as Ashley, Alexis, Ariel, and Taylor, were also used for boys, though often more popular for girls during this period.

The "90s Vibe": Some names, while not necessarily exclusive to the decade, evoke a strong sense of the 90s due to their peak popularity during that time. These include:

• Chelsea: This place name, referring to a fashionable district in London, reached its zenith in the 90s.
• Kelsey: Similar to Chelsea, Kelsey also enjoyed a surge in popularity during the decade.
• Katelyn/Kaitlyn/Caitlin (and variants): The many variations of this name, all derived from Catherine, were ubiquitous throughout the 90s.
• Stephanie/Kristin/Kristen: These names, while popular in the 80s, continued to be widely used in the early 90s, further cementing their association with the era.

A Reflection of the Times

The Popular 90s Girls Name List isn’t just a collection of names; it’s a snapshot of a specific moment in time. The choices parents made reflected their aspirations, cultural influences, and the prevailing trends of the decade. From timeless classics to trendy newcomers, these names capture the spirit of the 1990s and continue to resonate with those who remember this iconic era.

This Popular 90s Girls Name List offers a glimpse into the naming trends of the 1990s. Whether you’re a parent seeking inspiration or simply curious about the past, exploring these names provides a fascinating journey through a decade defined by its unique style and cultural landscape.