2000

The new millennium brought with it some new names. For the girls, the most popular names were Madison, Emily, and Jessica. For the boys, top names included Andrew and Joseph.

1998

A lot of parents must have been watching 'Sex and the City' in 1998, because the name Samantha jumped into the top three. Also at the top of the list were fellow newbie Hannah, as well as Emily, Jacob, Matthew, and Michael.

1996

A new boy's name became more popular in 1996. Jacob means "to follow" or "to supplant." Jacob was joined by the names Michael, Matthew, Emily, Jessica, and Ashley.

1994

In 1994, the name trend changed again in the girl section. Emily joined the team. The usual suspects were also on the list: Christopher, Michael, Matthew, Jessica, and Ashley.

1992

When Britney Spears was not even a teenager, she sang on the show 'Star Search.' Perhaps her performances influenced parents around the world, because Brittany was once again a very popular name (never mind that the spelling is different...).

1991

The '90s saw the same popular names continue their streak. The most given monikers were Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Ashley, Jessica, and Brittany.

1990

The trendy names of Ashley, Brittany, and Jessica stayed up in the top three for the girls. The boy names remained classic with Michael, Christopher, and Matthew.

1988

The stage name Jessie J comes from the star's birth name, Jessica. Jessica was one of the most popular names of 1988, alongside Ashley, Amanda, Michael, Christopher, and Matthew.

1986

This year saw the reintroduction of the name Amanda onto parents' baby name lists. Amanda means "worthy of love." Ashley, Jessica, Michael, Christopher, and Matthew also remained popular.

1984

Ashley Simpson was born in 1984. She was given one of the most popular names of her time. Jennifer, Jessica, Michael, Christopher, and Matthew were also the most given names.

1982

There might have been some extra inspiration for parents to call their children Michael in 1982. It was the year that Michael Jackson (1958-2009) released Thriller.' Other names at the top were Christopher, Jennifer, Amy, Amanda, and newbie Matthew.

1980

Chris Pine was born in 1980. His parents used the common yet classy moniker of Christopher. Other popular boy names were Jason and Michael. The girls had Jennifer, Amy, and Amanda.

1978

In 1978, the most popular names held on strong with Michael, Jason, Christopher, Amy, Melissa, and Jennifer taking the top spots.

1976

Melissa Joan Hart's parents were on-trend when they named her. The other most popular names of 1976 were Amy, Jennifer, Christopher, Jason, and Michael.

1974

Amy Adams was named in the fashion of the day. Other popular names were Christopher, Michael, Jason, Jennifer, and Michelle.

1972

Jennifer Garner was given one of the most popular names of 1972. Jennifer, Mary, and Michelle were at the top for the girls. Christopher, James, and Michael were the most used for the boys.

1971

Quite a few well-known figures were given the most used names in 1971. British comedian David Walliams and American actor Chris Tucker all don popular names. Besides Christopher and David, Michael, Jennifer, Michelle, and Lisa made the top cut.

1970

The name Jennifer means "the fair one." Perhaps that is why it stayed in the top three. In 1970, the same names of Lisa, Mary, John, David, and Michael were the most given.

1969

It is no coincidence that both of these iconic ladies were named Jennifer in 1969. The name was in the top three alongside Lisa and Michelle. The boys stayed original with the classics Michael, James, and David.

1968

Lisa Marie Presley, late singer and daughter of Elvis Presley, also rocked the popular girl's name. Michelle, Kimberly, John, Michael, and David also still topped the charts.

1967

Actress Lisa Bonet was born in 1967. Her's was among the most given names of the year, along with Kimberly and newcomer Michelle. The boy names were Michael, David, and James.

1966

Yup, 1966 was the year actor John Cusack was born. He has one of the most popular names of the year. Alongside John and David stood the classics Michael, James, Mary, and Lisa. Kimberly also joined the list that year.

1965

Most of the popular names stayed at the top. They are Michael, John, David, Lisa, and Mary. However, a newbie joined: the name Karen became popular. It is Greek for "pure."

1964

The most given monikers in 1964 were still Michael, John, David, Lisa, Mary, and Susan. This may be why David Spade has his name.

1963

Lisa Kudrow's mother was bang on the money when she chose the trendiest name of 1963 for her daughter. Other famous people who were also given the most popular names include Michael Jordan, Mike Myers, and Lisa Rinna. Mary, Susan, and John were also still top of the list.

1962

The same names stayed strong in the top positions. The male names all have religious connotations, as well as one of the female ones. The top names were Michael, David, John, Lisa, Mary, and Susan.

1961

Actor Michael J. Fox was born in 1961 and took one of the year's most popular names. Michael, James, Mary, Lisa, and Susan were the most chosen names that year.