Which baby names were the most popular in each U.S. state in 2021?
And which names appeared in the data for just one state last year?
Here are all the answers! (Any unique name that also popped up in last year’s post is in boldface.)
Alabama
- Alabama’s top girl name: Olivia
- Alabama’s top boy name: William
- Alabama’s 9 unique girl names: Crimson, Dominga, Cailyn, Carrington, Embree, Jabria, Jaloni, Kassidi, Petrona
- The University of Alabama’s football team is called the Crimson Tide (after one of the team colors).
- Alabama’s 6 unique boy names: Courtney, Wheeler, Kyser, Kemoni, Kharter, Khazi
Alaska
- Alaska’s top girl name: Amelia
- Alaska’s top boy name: Noah
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Arizona
- Arizona’s top girl name: Olivia
- Arizona’s top boy name: Liam
- Arizona’s 4 unique girl names: Ariza, Aolanis, Graciella, Nizhoni (from the Navajo word nizhóní, meaning “beautiful” or “nice”)
- Arizona’s 1 unique boy name: Luisfernando
Arkansas
- Arkansas’s top girl name: Olivia
- Arkansas’s top boy name: Liam & Oliver (tie)
- No unique girl names.
- Arkansas’s 2 unique boy name: Aycen, Jadyn
California
- California’s top girl name: Olivia
- California’s top boy name: Noah
- California’s top 10 unique girl names: Avni, Jasleen, Mehar, Cyra, Metztli, Quetzalli, Alitzel, Nara, Yadira, Aneliz (total of 526)
- California’s top 10 unique boy names: Narek, Armen, Ekam, Yasiel, Caesar, Arya, Daksh, Gavino, Artur, Esaias (total of 382)
Colorado
- Colorado’s top girl name: Olivia
- Colorado’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names.
- Colorado’s 1 unique boy name: Angelito
Connecticut
- Connecticut’s top girl name: Olivia
- Connecticut’s top boy name: Noah
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Delaware
- Delaware’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Delaware’s top boy name: Liam & Noah (tie)
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
District of Columbia
- D.C.’s top girl name: Charlotte
- D.C.’s top boy name: Henry
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Florida
- Florida’s top girl name: Olivia
- Florida’s top boy name: Liam
- Florida’s top 10 unique girl names: Keisha, Abigaelle, Alanys, Maiah, Anyeli, Breeze, Elianys, Alis, Anthonella, Calani (total of 104)
- Florida’s top 10 unique boy names: Marvens, Fabio, Dayron, Janiel, Piero, Tafari, Yoan, Dany, Fritz, Jahmiel (total of 76)
Georgia
- Georgia’s top girl name: Olivia
- Georgia’s top boy name: Noah
- Georgia’s top 10 unique girl names: Choyce, Khori, Raylan, Destini, Kayli, Khaleah, Kylani, Tyanna, Alaura, Alonni (total of 29)
- Georgia’s top 10 unique boy names: Chauncey, Theron, Amiris, Demoni, Harden, Horace, Jakori, Makel, Nolyn, Oryan (total of 28)
Hawaii
- Hawaii’s top girl name: Olivia
- Hawaii’s top boy name: Noah
- #2 on the boys’ list was the Hawaiian name Kai (meaning “sea”).
- Hawaii’s 5 unique girl names: Lilinoe, Alohi, Kelia, Mahealani, Tehani
- Hawaii’s 10 unique boy names: Kainalu, Ryzen, Kaikoa, Kamaehu, Rusty, Ikaia, Kawika, Kupaa, Kahekili, Kealii
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: Aasiya, Monika, Novi, Taniyah, Braya, Jaia, Jori, Milica, Ainslee, Charolette (total of 20)
- Illinois’s top 10 unique boy names: Vuk, Damario, Krystian, Lazar, Lukasz, Dakhari, Dontrell, Ferris, Georgios, Kainen (total of 15)
Indiana
- Indiana’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Indiana’s top boy name: Liam
- Indiana’s 5 unique girl names: Gatlin, Theodosia, Delainey, Kimberlynn, Maevis
- Indiana’s 8 unique boy names: Oaklyn, Hendricks, Jamin, Kenlin, Kurtis, Oslo, Quenton, Rhyker
Iowa
- Iowa’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Iowa’s top boy name: Oliver
- Iowa’s 1 unique girl name: Maize
- Iowa’s 2 unique boy names: Kinnick, Cael
- The University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium was named after 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick.
Kansas
- Kansas’s top girl name: Olivia
- Kansas’s top boy name: Liam
- Kansas’s 1 unique girl name: Breckyn
- No unique boy names.
Kentucky
- Kentucky’s top girl name: Emma
- Kentucky’s top boy name: Liam
- Kentucky’s 3 unique girl names: Averleigh, Caraline, Crosley
- Kentucky’s 1 unique boy name: Enos
Louisiana
- Louisiana’s top girl name: Olivia
- Louisiana’s top boy name: Liam
- Louisiana’s top 10 unique girl names: Amyri, Damani, Jai, Jersei, Krislynn, Cailee, Jacelyn, Jeanne, Kaileigh, Kelsi (total of 11)
- Louisiana’s top 10 unique boy names: Acen, Kullen, Kamauri, Taylon, Brees, Jakyrie, Cayman, Gabe, Kendal, Tyquan (total of 11)
- QB Drew Brees played football for the New Orleans Saints for most of his career.
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 2 unique girl names: Edyn, Harlym
- Maryland’s 4 unique boy names: Tavon, Edvin, Dyson, Rahim
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts’s top girl name: Olivia
- Massachusetts’s top boy name: Noah
- Massachusetts’s 8 unique girl names: Heloisa, Mariaalice, Aleysha, Aine, Anaclara, Analiz, Eloah, Vitoria
- Massachusetts’s 2 unique boy names: Heitor, Jayvien
Michigan
- Michigan’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Michigan’s top boy name: Noah
- Michigan’s top 10 unique girl names: Raneem, Zahraa, Areej, Kateri, Maizee, Renad, Zeinab, Brazil, Hayat, Kamyra (total of 17)
- Michigan’s top 10 unique boy names: Ameir, Haidar, Chet, Delano, Nasser, Adian, Amr, Auston, Blade, Chip (total of 23)
Minnesota
- Minnesota’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Minnesota’s top boy name: Oliver
- Minnesota’s top 10 unique girl names: Anzal, Rayan, Maryama, Adna, Ahlam, Afnan, Britta, Nawal, Hamdi, Ikhlas (total of 27)
- Also on the list: Solveig, Signe, Sigrid, Solvi
- Minnesota’s top 10 unique boy names: Akram, Ayub, Mohamedamin, Mubashir, Suhayb, Mubarak, Nels, Amaar, Eh, Muzamil (total of 18)
Mississippi
- Mississippi’s top girl name: Ava
- Mississippi’s top boy name: William
- Mississippi’s 2 unique girl names: Chyna, Caisley
- Mississippi’s 1 unique boy name: Swayze
Missouri
- Missouri’s top girl name: Olivia
- Missouri’s top boy name: Oliver
- Missouri’s 7 unique girl names: Brenley, Damiya, Jozie, Kamori, Ramiyah, Renleigh, Saloma
- Missouri’s 2 unique boy names: Jansen, Lexton
Montana
- Montana’s top girl name: Olivia
- 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: Henry
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Nevada
- Nevada’s top girl name: Olivia
- Nevada’s top boy name: Liam
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire’s top girl name: Olivia
- New Hampshire’s top boy name: Oliver
- 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: Gittel, Leeba, Shulamis, Tzivia, Leba, Anny, Naimal, Viha, Adeena, Anshika (total of 18)
- New Jersey’s top 10 unique boy names: Avrohom, Boruch, Zalman, Laksh, Moksh, Nachum, Nicolo, Aras, Mina, Aarvik (total of 21)
New Mexico
- New Mexico’s top girl name: Mia
- New Mexico’s top boy name: Noah
- New Mexico’s 1 unique girl name: Azriella
- 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, Malky, Chany, Esty, Goldy, Pessy, Shifra, Perel, Frady, Shaindel (total of 184)
- New York’s top 10 unique boy names: Mendel, Lipa, Simcha, Shmiel, Usher, Yechiel, Avrum, Cheskel, Naftuli, Yossi (total of 180)
North Carolina
- North Carolina’s top girl name: Olivia
- North Carolina’s top boy name: Liam
- North Carolina’s top 10 unique girl names: Lawson, Barrett, Favor, Omni, Tailynn, Arlynn, Blessin, Brelynn, Ellanor, Jorja (total of 17)
- North Carolina’s top 10 unique boy names: Nylan, Nymir, Sampson, Whitaker, Avett, Finan, Jalil, Jaycion, Nyzir, Walton (total of 22)
North Dakota
- North Dakota’s top girl name: Olivia
- North Dakota’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- North Dakota’s 1 unique boy name: Dekker
Ohio
- Ohio’s top girl name: Olivia
- Ohio’s top boy name: Oliver
- Ohio’s top 10 unique girl names: Larkyn, Mahayla, Graylynn, Keturah, Kierra, Royce, Samya, Alura, Amauri, Callahan (total of 26)
- Ohio’s top 10 unique boy names: Jyaire, Marquan, Aayush, Bakari, Jibril, Masen, Pryor, Davonte, Gavyn, Jensyn (total of 19)
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma’s top girl name: Olivia
- Oklahoma’s top boy name: Liam
- Oklahoma’s 3 unique girl names: Dim, Kodie, Copelyn
- Oklahoma’s 4 unique boy names: Thang, Creedence, Creek, Hesston
Oregon
- Oregon’s top girl name: Evelyn
- Oregon’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania’s top girl name: Olivia
- Pennsylvania’s top boy name: Noah
- Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique girl names: Barbie, Rosanna, Maryann, Suhana, Suzanne, Verna, Kirsten, Surah, Auriella, Avionna (total of 26)
- Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique boy names: Benuel, Arlan, Asir, Noor, Sylvan, Menno, Munir, Sahir, Atlee, Glendon (total of 26)
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: Olivia
- South Carolina’s top boy name: William
- South Carolina’s 3 unique girl names: Britton, Jamaica, Kansas
- South Carolina’s 4 unique boy names: Bowman, Jos, Holston, Kyland
South Dakota
- South Dakota’s top girl name: Evelyn
- South Dakota’s top boy name: Henry
- South Dakota’s 1 unique girl name: Kimimila (from the Lakota word kimímila, meaning “butterfly”)
- No unique boy names.
Tennessee
- Tennessee’s top girl name: Olivia
- Tennessee’s top boy name: William
- Tennessee’s top 10 unique girl names: Callaway, Declan, Kaniya, Khloee, Serayah, Amellia, Annlee, Darcie, Jamyah, Joanie (total of 12)
- Tennessee’s 10 unique boy names: Neyland, Karas, Kerolos, Philopateer, Calloway, Dejuan, Ryman, Timber, Walt, Wright
- The University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium was named after former athletic director/coach Robert Neyland.
- Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry for several decades, was named after Nashville businessman Thomas Ryman.
Texas
- Texas’s top girl name: Olivia
- Texas’s top boy name: Liam
- Texas’s top 10 unique girl names: Darianna, Katalyna, Devany, Laramie, Mariafernanda, Jayci, Jessalyn, Justyce, Naidelyn, Naydelin (total of 473)
- Also on the list: Abilene, Tulsa
- Texas’s top 10 unique boy names: Roel, Brazos, Pete, Eliud, Priest, Rhyder, Homero, Reymundo, Zamarion, Eider (total of 280)
- Also on the list: Rebel, Tex, Texas, Augie
- Brazos (“arms” in Spanish) is both a river and county in Texas.
Utah
- Utah’s top girl name: Olivia
- Utah’s top boy name: Oliver
- Utah’s 9 unique girl names: Scotland, Alta, Swayzee, Bentlee, Quincey, Quincee, Reggie, Scotty, Swayzie
- Utah’s 9 unique boy names: Ammon, Dallin, Talmage, Taft, Griffey, Korver, Oaks, Rexton, Treysen
- Dallin H. Oaks is one of the leaders of the LDS Church.
Vermont
- Vermont’s top girl name: Charlotte
- Vermont’s top boy name: Henry
- 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: Heba, Husna, Yemariam, Yohanna, Aamirah, Jena
- Virginia’s 5 unique boy names: Ezana, Barkon, Malakhai, Raekwon, Walid
Washington
- Washington’s top girl name: Olivia
- Washington’s top boy name: Liam
- Washington’s 7 unique girl names: Ellinor, Azaylia, Baby, Dempsey, Khamila, Ravenna, Solomia
- Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood was named after Ravenna, Italy.
- Washington’s 6 unique boy names: Amnen, Dashel, Ole, Sven, Tor, Vihan
West Virginia
- West Virginia’s top girl name: Amelia
- 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 2 unique girl names: Rosetta, Alona
- Wisconsin’s 2 unique boy names: Cylas, Dameir
Wyoming
- Wyoming’s top girl name: Olivia
- Wyoming’s top boy name: Oliver
- No unique girl names.
- No unique boy names.
Many of the unique names above can be attributed to large religious/ethnic groups within particular states, such as the Jews in New York/New Jersey, the Mormons in Utah, the Somali in Minnesota, and the Amish in Pennsylvania.
Source: Popular Names by State – SSA
Image (USATopographicalMap) by NOAA
So fun to dig into these names! Thanks for sharing. Some reactions and thoughts on origins:
– JaBria is an adorable toddler from a well-known TikTok series called “Are You Smart?” hosted by La’Ron Hines. La’Ron and JaBria are from Mississippi, though, not Alabama, but the regional popularity makes sense. (And MS has a smaller population, so the name would be less likely to show up in data there.)
– Jahmiel is a Jamaican singer. (South Florida has a large Jamaican American population.)
– Choyce is the name of influencer Choyce Brown, the daughter of the even more popular influencer Tabitha Brown. (Neither has any specific connection to Georgia, though.)
– I’m wondering if Amiris (Georgia, m) and Amyri (Louisiana, f) are related to the fast-rising name Amiri, which may be gaining popularity due to the clothing brand Amiri and its designer, Mike Amiri.
– Maize charting for girls only in Iowa is incredible. Some people really love corn. Also makes sense that Maizee charts in another Midwestern state.
– This is a stretch, but could Averleigh have charted in Kentucky because of how Everleigh is pronounced in a strong Appalachian accent?
– I wonder if Cayman is especially popular in Louisiana due to the association with alligators (and the trendy sound of the name, of course).
– There’s clearly something going on with the letter Y in Maryland, but I wonder if the popularity of Harlym is linked to the Baltimore neighborhood of Harlem Park.
– I love all the Portuguese names in Massachusetts. It looks like Eloah may also be most often used as a name in Brazil.
– I think Dim and Thang are both Burmese names. Oklahoma has a fairly large Burmese American population.
– Sylvan seems like a neat reference to PennSYLVANia. (Btw, I would still love to see a post about Amish names, like you mentioned in the comments on last year’s version of this post. No pressure lol.)
– How interesting that the 3 unique girls names (Britton, Jamaica, Kansas) in South Carolina are all place names, more or less. I don’t really have any guesses why.
– Kimimila is an adorable name, and such a great onomatopoeia for butterfly.
– Karas, Kerolos, and Philopateer all appear to be Coptic Christian names. Apparently Nashville has an Egyptian Copt community.
– Naidelyn Navarrete is a Mexican telenovela actress.
– Ammon is a missionary in the Book of Mormon.
– James E. Talmage was an early member of the LDS Church.
– Ezra Taft Benson was a president of the LDS Church in the 80s and 90s.
– Kyle Korver is a basketball player who most recently played for the Utah Jazz in 2018.
– Ezana, Barkon, Yohanna, and Yemariam, which charted in VA, are Ethiopian names. (The largest Ethiopian-American group lives in DC and the suburbs.) Amnen and Solomia, which charted in WA, are too, and there’s a substantial Ethiopian-American population in Seattle.
Thank you again for all these comments, alex! I haven’t had time yet to look deeply into any of the new names, so I love reading about what you’re finding. And just knowing your thoughts in general.
I loved that Maize was unique to Iowa. :) That might be my favorite part of this whole post.
You know what? I started that post on Amish names, but I just haven’t finished it yet! I have over 1,800 unfinished drafts right now, it’s nuts. But I will make it a point to finish that one before May of next year. :)