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 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, Lindley, Yuriko
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, Midori
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, Chelsea
1987 TV contestant: Risha
1987 TV personality: Shadoe
1987 TV commercial: Danielle
1987 Actors: Cruise, Esai, Sagan, Corbin, Rutger
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, Navarre
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, Lavender
1986 Singers: Martika, Cymone, Myleka, Whitney, Cherrelle
1986 Musicians: Wynton, Marsalis
1986 Sports: Kylor, Josimar, Steffi, Jamelle
1986 Products: Calizza, Lutece
1986 Beauty queen: Marlesa
1985
Here are the names for 1985.
1984
Here are the names for 1984.
1983
1983 Movie character: Savannah
1983 TV characters: Meggie, Mallory, Elyse, Kiel, Callahan, Valene, Daisy, Ciji, Echo, Jimmylee, Tyger, Jonerik, Kirby, Sorangel, Doralee, Remington, Devlin, Vanessa
1983 TV personality: Darcel
1983 TV commercial: Marquita
1983 Actors: Kiel, Pia, Mayra
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, Elliott
1982 Movie: Blade
1982 TV characters: Alexis, Ashley, Kayla, Ariel, Luisana, Ivanhoe, Chachi, Joanie, Colt, Evelina, Cagney
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 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, Lando
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