90s TV Inspired Baby Names
By Dixie Legare – August 28, 2024
The 1990s hold a special place in many hearts. Known for its boy bands, bright fashion, and virtual pets, it was a time filled with unique trends and unforgettable moments.
This period also featured some of the most iconic television shows, with families gathering to watch their favorite programs. Many TV stars from the 90s became major celebrities, shaping styles and popular culture.
Inspired by this vibrant decade, here are some baby names that capture the essence of the 90s TV classics.
Girl Names
Kelly
Kelly is a cheerful name that brings to mind a bubbly and happy personality. It reminds many of the character from Saved by the Bell, who won over the hearts of viewers with her charm and warmth.
Rachel
The name Rachel evokes memories of a beloved character from Friends whose hairstyle became a trendsetter in the ’90s. It’s an age-old name that signifies beauty and has a timeless appeal.
Stephanie
Stephanie, famously known from Full House as the middle sister with the catchphrase “How rude!”, is a name that means “rewarding and adorning.”
It’s a classic girl’s name that carries a sense of elegance and tradition.
Alicia
Alicia is a graceful name that can also be shortened to the nickname “Al,” as seen on the show Step by Step. It’s a versatile and lovely name suitable for any little girl.
Tia
Short and sweet, Tia is a name that reminds many of the identical twin on Sister, Sister. This name is unique and perfect for someone looking for a short yet feminine name for their daughter.
Grace
Grace is a beautifully simple and elegant name, often associated with the character from Will and Grace. It has historical ties to Ancient Greek culture and remains a popular choice for baby girls.
Elaine
Elaine, known from the show Seinfeld, brings back the charm of names popular in the 1920s. As classic names make a comeback, Elaine could see a rise in popularity.
Dana
Dana, a strong name known from The X-Files’ character Dana Scully, combines a sense of mystery with a traditional touch. It is the feminine form of Daniel and carries a sturdy yet elegant charm.
Willow
Willow is a nature-inspired name, best known from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It signifies a connection to the outdoors and means tree, making it a unique and serene choice for a baby girl.
Daphne
Daphne is a name rooted in Greek tradition, meaning “laurel tree.” Known as a lovable character from Frasier, it brings a sense of nature and classic beauty to a girl’s name.
Boy Names
Zack
His character on Saved by the Bell is one of the most memorable of all time. He was the heartthrob that all the girls loved to swoon over on television. Usually a nickname for Zachary, Zack is a strong name for a little boy.
Cody
If you watched Step by Step, you couldn’t help but laugh at Cody as the somewhat clueless cousin of the Lambert family. Cody is an Irish name meaning “helpful person.”
Pacey
He was Dawson’s best friend on Dawson’s Creek who used his humor and charm to win us over. Pacey is a unique name that is not heard often. If looking for a name that won’t be on the top baby names list, this is a great one to choose.
Brandon
We all knew Brandon Walsh on the hit series, 90210. The television show made the name popular in the 1990s and it is still quite popular now.
Will
A fresh name made popular by Will Smith in the sitcom, Fresh Prince of Belair. It was hard not to like Will on the show as he made us laugh with his jokes and witty lines.
While many think of Will as a nickname for William, it’s made a case as a name to stand on its own.
Cory
Cory was the one that people looked up to on Boy Meets World. While he faced many challenges throughout the many seasons on the show, he always ended up making the right decisions. Cory is a strong Irish name that will never go out of style.
Brad
We watched Brad as the oldest brother in the Taylor family on Home Improvement. Brad was most like his father and found a love for cars and tools on the show.
A shorter name for Bradley, Brad is a strong and masculine name for a baby boy.
Steve
Best known for his iconic phrase, “Did I do that?” Steve Urkel plays the nerdy next-door neighbor of the Winslow family on Family Matters. While not often seen as a stand-alone name, Steve has a certain charm.
Danny
Everyone’s favorite dad to watch on Friday nights, Danny Tanner was the host of Wake Up San Francisco and dad of three girls on Full House. Another name that is a nickname of Daniel, Danny is a strong enough name to be used by itself.
Ross
Ross is the charming and very likeable character on the hit television show Friends. Viewers watched many seasons as he pursued his relationship with Rachel.
Ross is a name that is not heard often, but it is a great short one-syllable name for a baby boy.
If someone grew up in the 90s, these names bring back memories of all the rad things that happened during the decade.