Which baby names were the most popular in each U.S. state in 2020? And which names only popped up in the data for a single state in 2020? Here are the answers! (Any name that also appeared in last year’s post is in boldface.)
Alabama
- Alabama’s top girl name: Ava
- Alabama’s top boy name: William
- Alabama’s 7 unique girl names: Emoree, Khylie, Petrona, Annalynn, Jailee, Kaloni, Loxley
- Alabama’s 7 unique boy names: Kyser, Mills, Johnluke, Kamar, Kendarius, Saylor, Xzavion
Alaska
- Alaska’s top girl name: Amelia
- Alaska’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Arizona
- Arizona’s top girl name: Olivia
- Arizona’s top boy name: Liam
- Arizona’s 3 unique girl names: Zo, Ariza, Payson
- Arizona’s 2 unique boy names: Iram, Quill
Arkansas
- Arkansas’s top girl name: Olivia
- Arkansas’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names
- No unique boy names.
California
- California’s top girl name: Olivia
- California’s top boy name: Noah
- California’s top 10 unique girl names: Sequoia, Emiko, Rey, Melrose, Roxanna, Shaila, Briseida, Ara, Cathy, Koa (total of 551)
- California’s top 10 unique boy names: Slater, Curren, Armen, Fateh, Agam, Angad, Gurbaaz, Subhan, Yash, Ojas (total of 394)
Colorado
- Colorado’s top girl name: Olivia
- Colorado’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Connecticut
- Connecticut’s top girl name: Olivia
- Connecticut’s top boy name: Noah
- No unique girl names.
- Connecticut’s 1 unique boy name: Henrique
Delaware
- Delaware’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Delaware’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
District of Columbia
- D.C.’s top girl name: Olivia
- D.C.’s top boy name: William
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Florida
- Florida’s top girl name: Emma
- Florida’s top boy name: Liam
- Florida’s top 10 unique girl names: Abigaelle, Harbor, Allana, Breeze, Forever, Jaziyah, Railyn, Aniyla, Arielis, Dalani (total of 81)
- Florida’s top 10 unique boy names: Aramis, Jaheim, Javaris, Maleek, Caio, Jahleel, Jeriel, Kamir, Marvens, Amyr (total of 81)
Georgia
- Georgia’s top girl name: Ava
- Georgia’s top boy name: Liam
- Georgia’s top 10 unique girl names: Harmonii, Emmagrace, Kaior, Kiersten, Maebry, Makiya, Aloni, Jersi, Allura, Amalie (total of 25)
- Georgia’s top 10 unique boy names: Antwon, Kiari, Woods, Elnathan, Jalil, Javontae, Keigan, Londyn, Mansa, Rhylan (total of 30)
Hawaii
- Hawaii’s top girl name: Olivia
- Hawaii’s top boy name: Liam
- Hawaii’s 6 unique girl names: Halia, Anela Mahealani, Ilihia, Malie, Maile
- Hawaii’s 6 unique boy names: Kainalu, Kahiau, Kamahao, Keawe, Alika, Kaikoa
Idaho
- Idaho’s top girl name: Olivia
- Idaho’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Illinois
- Illinois’s top girl name: Olivia
- Illinois’s top boy name: Noah
- Illinois’s top 10 unique girl names: Zuzanna, Pola, Aniela, Eleen, Daliyah, Calia, Daniya, Destini, Eleonora, Esha (total of 18)
- Illinois’s top 10 unique boy names: Krystian, Teodor, Jovon, Petar, Syair, Vuk, Akshar, Jameer, Kiyaan, Lashawn (total of 24)
Indiana
- Indiana’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Indiana’s top boy name: Oliver
- Indiana’s 2 unique girl names: Aayla, Renlee
- Indiana’s 8 unique boy names: Maciah, Axtyn, Buckley, Emmerson, Javonni, Kashten, Lavon, Layken
Iowa
- Iowa’s top girl name: Olivia
- Iowa’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- Iowa’s 1 unique boy name: Kinnick
- Kinnick is the name of the University of Iowa’s football stadium.
Kansas
- Kansas’s top girl name: Olivia
- Kansas’s top boy name: Liam
- Kansas’s 2 unique girl names: Brecken, Atley
- No unique boy names.
Kentucky
- Kentucky’s top girl name: Amelia
- Kentucky’s top boy name: Liam
- Kentucky’s 2 unique girl names: Larkyn, Karson
- Kentucky’s 1 unique boy name: Brentlee
Louisiana
- Louisiana’s top girl name: Ava
- Louisiana’s top boy name: Liam
- Louisiana’s 8 unique girl names: Kaislee, Rylen, Harlym, Riyah, Cecile, Damiya, Jrue, Rhemi
- Louisiana’s 6 unique boy names: Baylen, Daxx, Jansen, Tylin, Hutson, Tyrin
Maine
- Maine’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Maine’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Maryland
- Maryland’s top girl name: Olivia
- Maryland’s top boy name: Liam
- Maryland’s 7 unique girl names: Dynver, Oakland, Brailyn, Chidera, Gelila, Kaylei, Shekinah
- Maryland’s 3 unique boy names: Yafet, Jordon, Karon
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts’s top girl name: Olivia
- Massachusetts’s top boy name: Noah
- Massachusetts’s 8 unique girl names: Aylla, Manuella, Eloah, Nelle, Clarisse, Emilly, Heloisa, Malu
- Massachusetts’s 8 unique boy names: Heitor, Tadhg, Joaopedro, Noriel, Walden, Dana, Enzogabriel, Jordany
Michigan
- Michigan’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Michigan’s top boy name: Oliver
- Michigan’s top 10 unique girl names: Zahraa, Cashmere, Ellouise, Manar, Breslyn, Cobi, Hala, Raneem, Arla, Avacyn (total of 22)
- Michigan’s top 10 unique boy names: Blair, Ayham, Coltyn, Nicklas, Daijon, Alastair, Deante, Haidar, Kodah, Mohsen (total of 13)
Minnesota
- Minnesota’s top girl name: Olivia
- Minnesota’s top boy name: Henry
- Minnesota’s top 10 unique girl names: Maida, Rayan, Nawal, Adna, Ahlam, Ikhlas, Ayan, Britta, Mumtaz, Munira (total of 28)
- Minnesota’s top 10 unique boy names: Muad, Muhsin, Yaqub, Sudais, Abdulahi, Mohamedamin, Masud, Liban, Mikko, Yonis (total of 23)
Mississippi
- Mississippi’s top girl name: Ava
- Mississippi’s top boy name: James
- Mississippi’s 3 unique girl names: Harlei, Mattilyn, Rivers
- Mississippi’s 6 unique boy names: Ashtin, Devonta, Aycen, Jakayden, Keondre, Landan
Missouri
- Missouri’s top girl name: Olivia
- Missouri’s top boy name: Oliver
- Missouri’s 8 unique girl names: Kelce, Esma, Kamori, Quinley, Blu, Jhream, Kendyl, Mavery
- Missouri’s 5 unique boy names: Travon, Bryton, Darrion, Sutter, Whitley
Montana
- Montana’s top girl name: Charlotte & Olivia (tie)
- Montana’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Nebraska
- Nebraska’s top girl name: Olivia
- Nebraska’s top boy name: Oliver
- Nebraska’s 1 unique girl name: Breckyn
- Nebraska’s 1 unique boy name: Eh
Nevada
- Nevada’s top girl name: Olivia
- Nevada’s top boy name: Liam
- Nevada’s 1 unique girl name: Unity
- No unique boy names.
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire’s top girl name: Charlotte
- New Hampshire’s top boy name: Lucas
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
New Jersey
- New Jersey’s top girl name: Olivia
- New Jersey’s top boy name: Liam
- New Jersey’s top 10 unique girl names: Bluma, Ruchama, Leba, Avigayil, Jadelyn, Alianny, Arna, Bina, Ita, Maahi (total of 13)
- New Jersey’s top 10 unique boy names: Boruch, Shraga, Gershon, Shaul, Avigdor, Naksh, Abeer, Nesanel, Refoel, Yerachmiel (total of 19)
New Mexico
- New Mexico’s top girl name: Olivia
- New Mexico’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
New York
- New York’s top girl name: Olivia
- New York’s top boy name: Liam
- New York’s top 10 unique girl names: Gitty, Yitty, Raizy, Sury, Esty, Goldy, Idy, Henny, Yides, Hinda (total of 174)
- Esty came up in the 2020 Pop Culture Baby Name Game because of the Netflix mini-series Unorthodox, which features an ultra-Orthodox Jewish main character named Esty from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC. Of the 67 baby girls named Esty last year, 59 were born in New York specifically.
- New York’s top 10 unique boy names: Lipa, Yechiel, Hershel, Pinchas, Avrum, Lazer, Md, Nachman, Berl, Muhammadyusuf (total of 157)
North Carolina
- North Carolina’s top girl name: Olivia
- North Carolina’s top boy name: Liam
- North Carolina’s 8 unique girl names: Wrenn, Katara, Beckley, Embree, Kaileigh, Promyse, Reigna, Twyla
- North Carolina’s top 10 unique boy names: Nolyn, Calihan, Aysen, Bladen, Damarcus, Dempsey, Hilton, Jahmere, Kaedyn, Kamdon (total of 16)
North Dakota
- North Dakota’s top girl name: Amelia & Olivia
- North Dakota’s top boy name: Oliver
- North Dakota’s 1 unique girl name: Girl (…still probably just a place-holder)
- No unique boy names.
Ohio
- Ohio’s top girl name: Olivia
- Ohio’s top boy name: Liam
- Ohio’s top 10 unique girl names: Damyla, Jozie, Delainey, Delila, Dorcas, Joselynn, Maisley, Maizey, Marcia, Bexleigh (total of 22)
- Ohio’s top 10 unique boy names: Willis, Larkin, Jashawn, Abdallah, Bennet, Bexley, Buck, Cylus, Freeman, Graeme (total of 26)
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma’s top girl name: Olivia
- Oklahoma’s top boy name: Liam
- Oklahoma’s 4 unique girl names: Brenlee, Jentri, Lun, Man
- Oklahoma’s 5 unique boy names: Pau, Creek, Mung, Cale, Dayson
Oregon
- Oregon’s top girl name: Olivia
- Oregon’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- Oregon’s 1 unique boy name: Rogue
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania’s top girl name: Emma
- Pennsylvania’s top boy name: Noah
- Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique girl names: Barbie, Suhaylah, Lavina, Verna, Surah, Erma, Adalind, Azara, Saloma, Aasiyah (total of 28)
- Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique boy names: Mahlon, Benuel, Ayyub, Aasim, Lavern, Baxter, Carmen, Muadh, Ahzir, Asir (total of 32)
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island’s top girl name: Olivia
- Rhode Island’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
South Carolina
- South Carolina’s top girl name: Ava
- South Carolina’s top boy name: William
- South Carolina’s 3 unique girl names: Kaniya, Ellory, Indya
- South Carolina’s 3 unique boy names: Drayton, Bowman, Collins
South Dakota
- South Dakota’s top girl name: Harper
- South Dakota’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Tennessee
- Tennessee’s top girl name: Olivia
- Tennessee’s top boy name: Liam
- Tennessee’s top 10 unique girl names: Anslee, Callaway, Henleigh, Mallie, Amellia, Blakley, Chloee, Crimson, Emersynn, Ivyanna (total of 14)
- Tennessee’s top 10 unique boy names: Neyland, Martavious, Holston, Ladarius, Mckinley, Ripken, Conley, Crockett, Kimoni, Ryman (total of 11)
- Neyland is the name of the University of Tennessee’s football stadium.
- Holston is the name of a river in Tennessee.
- Ryman is the name of the Nashville auditorium that was the home of the Grand Ole Opry (1943-’74).
Texas
- Texas’s top girl name: Olivia
- Texas’s top boy name: Liam
- Texas’s top 10 unique girl names: Elida, Kymber, Roberta, Xaria, Debanhi, Karyme, Abilene, Kirby, Analeigh, Bryar (total of 452)
- Abilene is the name of a city in Texas.
- Texas’s top 10 unique boy names: Crawford, Homero, Guadalupe, Eliazar, Abiel, Clemente, Javi, Koe, Javen, Kutter (total of 276)
Utah
- Utah’s top girl name: Olivia
- Utah’s top boy name: Oliver
- Utah’s 5 unique girl names: Alta, Scottlyn, Cozette, Auburn, Swayzie
- Utah’s 6 unique boy names: Kaladin, Taggart, Thayne, Trapper, Alma, Quaid
- Kaladin is the name of a character in the Stormlight Archive book series by Utah author Brandon Sanderson.
Vermont
- Vermont’s top girl name: Amelia
- Vermont’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Virginia
- Virginia’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Virginia’s top boy name: Liam
- Virginia’s 6 unique girl names: Soliana, Soliyana, Cornelia, Harlan, Makenzi, Yanet
- Virginia’s 6 unique boy names: Yuvin, Berkley, Keandre, Nayel, Nyzir, Sarim
Washington
- Washington’s top girl name: Olivia
- Washington’s top boy name: Oliver
- Washington’s 6 unique girl names: Ellinor, Jasper, Freja, Korah, Ravenna, Robbie
- Ravenna is the name of a neighborhood in Seattle.
- Washington’s 7 unique boy names: Finlay, Amnen, Finnan, Lochlann, Peregrine, Echo, Jettson
West Virginia
- West Virginia’s top girl name: Harper
- West Virginia’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Wisconsin
- Wisconsin’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Wisconsin’s top boy name: Oliver
- Wisconsin’s 1 unique girl name: Marietta
- Wisconsin’s 2 unique boy names: Chet, Everhett
Wyoming
- Wyoming’s top girl name: Olivia
- Wyoming’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Have any info/theories on any of the unique names above? If so, please leave a comment!
Source: Popular Names by State – SSA