The baby names below saw sudden changes in usage during the 1980s thanks to the influence of historical events. I’ve written explanatory blog posts about some of them — please click the links to learn more!
To check out history-influenced baby names from other decades, visit the baby name timeline main page.
1989
- 1989 News: Terrisha, Keandrea
- 1989 Movie characters: Sorsha, Blaze, Akeem
- 1989 TV characters: Macgyver, Adriana, Colton, Cecily, Sonni, Solita, Murphy
- 1989 TV personality: Arsenio
- 1989 Actors: Swayze, Cree, Ione, Savion, Alitzah
- 1989 Literary character: Kiswana
- 1989 Singers: Enya, Georgemichael, Safire, Datra, Raiana, Khiry, Tajh, Bilal, Anquette, Kwame, Karyn, Kylie
- 1989 Musical groups: Roxette, Dokken, Kiara, Baillie
- 1989 Sports: Shaquille, Rumeal, Kanavis
- 1989 Products: Miata, Reatta
- 1989 Model: Tawnni
- 1989 Glitch names: Alejandr, Alexande, Alexandr, Anastasi, Angeliqu, Annamari, Annemari, Antoinet, Bernadet, Cassandr, Cassondr, Christia, Christin, Christop, Constanc, Demetriu, Dominiqu, Elizabet, Francesc, Francisc, Geneviev, Jacqueli, Jacquely, Johnatho, Kassandr, Katherin, Kristofe, Kristoph, Mackenzi, Nicolett, Priscill, Sebastia, Stephani
1988
- 1988 News: Chaya, Mushka, Dragon, Long, Ryu
- 1988 Movie characters: Elora, Azaria, Brantley, Roxanne
- 1988 Movie: Milagro
- 1988 TV characters: Kadeem, Whitley, Charnele, Kimber, Simone, Maricruz, Anakaren, Alanmichael, Bianca, Egypt, Nico, Seaver, Harley
- 1988 TV contestant: Countess
- 1988 TV personality: Geraldo
- 1988 Actors: Kiefer, Ronreaco, Eriq, Anthonymichael, Dawnn, Jasmine, Geraldine, Khrystyne
- 1988 Songs: Casanova, Roni
- 1988 Singers: Axl, Tiffany, Taja, Cyre, Sherrick, Rakim, Suave, Pebbles
- 1988 Musicians: Tommylee
- 1988 Musical group: Sache, Crue, Levert
- 1988 Sports: Nattiel, Ranzino, Ronaldo
- 1988 Product: Ysatis
- 1988 Celebrity baby: Satchel
- 1988 Model: Tawny
1987
- 1987 Movie characters: Maverick, Ayla, Epiphany
- 1987 TV characters: Ridge, Holden, Jaleesa, Jeanluc, Matlock, Darylann, Kimiko, Kolya, Channing, Adderly, Lafiamma, Raysha, Oyuki, Yesenia, Kayla, Skye, Maddie
- 1987 TV personality: Shadoe
- 1987 TV commercial: Danielle
- 1987 Actors: Cruise, Esai, Sagan, Corbin
- 1987 Literary character: Killashandra
- 1987 Songs: Kasara, Luka, Adidas, Janay, Adilene
- 1987 Singers: Cetera, Tawatha, Najee, Trisco, Byanka
- 1987 Musical groups: Jovi, Deja
- 1987 Sports: Olajide, Teyon, Kreigh, Hogan, Labradford
- 1987 Products: Perrier, Drakkar, Allante, Corsica, Wrangler, Alize
- 1987 Celebrity babies: Shakari, Condola
- 1987 Celebrity related: Stedman
- 1987 Beauty queens: Anabelli, Kayelani
- 1987 Model: Tatjana
1986
- 1986 News: Christa, Halley, Spencer
- 1986 Movie characters: Jareth, Louden
- 1986 TV characters: Bliss, Sabella, Sable, Randall, Cristal, Eliana, Jem, Jerrica, Cordero, Farren, Britta, Addison, Jayce, Miles, Virgilia, Ashton, Jordan
- 1986 TV contestant: Mayuri
- 1986 TV personalities: Oprah, Vanna, Khambrel
- 1986 Actors: Taimak, Malcolmjamal, Raedawn, Jeannette
- 1986 African-American magazines: Tchanavian
- 1986 Songs: Kyrie, Bocephus, Nikita
- 1986 Singers: Martika, Cymone, Myleka, Whitney, Cherrelle
- 1986 Musicians: Wynton, Marsalis
- 1986 Sports: Kylor, Josimar, Steffi
- 1986 Products: Calizza, Lutece
- 1986 Brands: Ellesse, Generra
- 1986 Beauty queen: Marlesa
1985
- 1985 News: Mattlock
- 1985 Movie characters: Atreyu, Jehnna, Colwyn, Taran, Ren, Paden, Talon, Chani
- 1985 TV characters: Felicia, Shera, Cheetara, Orry, Theo, Vanessa, Taryn, Racine, Sierra, India, Topacio, Koty, Santana, Kate, Allie, Dominique, Channing
- 1985 TV show: Tanairi
- 1985 TV contestants: Tareva, Shequita, Durell, Shanice
- 1985 Actors: Phylicia, Keshia, Tempestt, Grecia
- 1985 African-American magazines: Cushena, Meyosha
- 1985 Songs: Sharayah, Kayleigh, Amadeus, Sara
- 1985 Singers: Sade, Wynonna, Teenamarie, Teena, Jahmai, Rebbie, Yarenis
- 1985 Musical group: Xavion
- 1985 Sports: Ryne, Camacho, Jarryd, Keena, Sedale
- 1985 Products: Monchel, Imari
- 1985 Brand: Ikea, Jaymes
- 1985 Advertisements: Andreika, Makeda
- 1985 Celebrity baby: Rishawn, Kady
- 1985 Model: Brinkley
1984
- 1984 News: Kashonna, Nasiya, Trakeila
- 1984 Movie characters: Rambo, Yentl, Avigdor, Madison
- 1984 Movie: Etosha, Nairobi
- 1984 TV characters: Alex, Frisco, Laken, Jenna, Santana, Quisto, Chance, Mergeron, Reva, Cindel, Teela, Ahbleza, Leonela, Brenton, Philadelphia, Danielle
- 1984 TV contestants: Thawann, Geron, Ladina
- 1984 Actors: Nastassja, Merete, Shalane, Mayra, Tasia, Apollonia, Sigourney
- 1984 Literary characters: Morgaine
- 1984 African-American magazine: Arnetia
- 1984 Song: Joanna
- 1984 Singers: Prince, Eldra, Lucerito, Cherrelle, Siedah, Latoya, Sheena, Branigan, Cyndi, Yarenys
- 1984 Sports: Ecaterina, Breland, Tranel, Marques
- 1984 Products: Ciera, Calais
- 1984 Beauty queens: Safira, Yarden
1983
- 1983 News: Klisha, Etan
- 1983 Movie character: Savannah
- 1983 TV characters: Meggie, Mallory, Elyse, Kiel, Callahan, Valene, Daisy, Ciji, Echo, Jimmylee, Tyger, Jonerik, Kirby, Sorangel, Doralee, Remington, Devlin
- 1983 TV personality: Darcel
- 1983 TV commercial: Marquita
- 1983 Actors: Kiel, Pia
- 1983 Literary characters: Audrina, Erienne
- 1983 Songs: Billiejean, Rio, Jeopardy, Eileen
- 1983 Singers: Vickiana
- 1983 Sports: Olajuwon, Akeem, Cozell, Micheaux
- 1983 Product: Pavielle
- 1983 Celebrity related: Chyla
1982
- 1982 News: Tyechia
- 1982 Politics: Gemayel
- 1982 Movie characters: Talon, Caesare, Xica, Conan, Elspeth
- 1982 Movie: Blade
- 1982 TV characters: Alexis, Ashley, Kayla, Ariel, Luisana, Ivanhoe, Chachi, Joanie, Colt, Evelina
- 1982 TV contestant: Jere
- 1982 Actors: Travanti, Brynn, Genie
- 1982 Literary characters: Amberle
- 1982 Songs: Rosanna, Valerie, Avalon
- 1982 Singers: Ozzy, Vanity, Seidina, Rindy
- 1982 Musical group: Halen
- 1982 Sports: Eder, Cozell, Shawon
- 1982 Products: Celisse, Odyssey, Raffinee, Senchal, Stetson, Delorean, Martell
- 1982 Model: Wanakee
1981
- 1981 News: Diana, Tshwanda, Lennon, Yoko
- 1981 Politics: Mubarak, Giscard
- 1981 Movie characters: Tashina
- 1981 TV characters: Krystle, Mikkos, Shirret, Afton, Masada, Kaleena, Fallon, Martine, Magnum, Scorpio, Evita
- 1981 TV show: Dynasty
- 1981 Actors: Taurean, Nastassia, Shavar, Argenis, Brandis, Morgan
- 1981 African-American magazine: Tijwana
- 1981 Songs: Fame, Zimbabwe
- 1981 Singers: Crystalgayle, Tiemeyer, Sadane, Kapono
- 1981 Musical groups: Journey, Tierra, Ambrosia
- 1981 Sports: Yannick
- 1981 Products: Chardon, Toccara, Andron, Antaeus, Nahema
1980
- 1980 News: Shanndolyn, Kateri
- 1980 Politics: Rajai
- 1980 Movie characters: Ilia, Ferris
- 1980 TV characters: Maxx, Starshemah, Nyah, Almanzo, Martine, Mariko, Estefania, Yara
- 1980 TV movie: Jericho
- 1980 Actors: Erik, Estrada, Bo, Derek, Sorrell, Jenilee
- 1980 African-American magazines: Nykeba, Kimario
- 1980 Songs: Leyna, Sara
- 1980 Singers: Tiffany, Ullanda
- 1980 Musical group: Shalamar
- 1980 Sports: Magic, Cheyne, Hanni, Bjorn, Kiki
- 1980 Products: Jordache, Murjani, Brittania, Zena, Tasha
- 1980 Brands: Lerin, Jheri
- 1980 Beauty queen: Lencola