Author: Nancy Man

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 unique 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

Image (USATopographicalMap) by NOAA