Baby Name: Hershel

Which baby names were the most popular in each U.S. state in 2022?

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 (AL)

• Alabama’s top girl name: Olivia
• Alabama’s top boy name: William
• Alabama’s 5 unique girl names: Justyce, Adleigh, Crimson, Kamori, Khylee
  • The University of Alabama’s football team is called the Crimson Tide.
• Alabama’s 5 unique boy names: Bankston, Chapman, Chipper, Treyvon, Wheeler

Alaska (AK)

• Alaska’s top girl name: Aurora/Charlotte (tie)
• Alaska’s top boy name: Oliver
• No unique girl names.
• Alaska’s 1 unique boy name: Paxson

Arizona (AZ)

• Arizona’s top girl name: Olivia
• Arizona’s top boy name: Liam
• Arizona’s 5 unique girl names: Zo, Payson, Ariza, Naelani, Neema
• Arizona’s 1 unique boy name: Payson
  • Payson (used for both genders above) could be a reference to the Arizona town of Payson.

Arkansas (AR)

• Arkansas’s top girl name: Olivia
• Arkansas’s top boy name: Oliver
• Arkansas’s 1 unique girl name: Camari
• No unique boy names.

California

• California’s top girl name: Olivia
• California’s top boy name: Liam
• California’s top 10 unique girl names: Mehar, Quetzalli, Emiko, Nare, Yamila, Mei, Mannat, Rayleen, Ajooni, Caia (total of 535)
• California’s top 10 unique boy names: Arjan, Narek, Lino, Maceo, Zenith, Tigran, Pranav, Sahib, Ashot, Sayed (total of 391)

Colorado

• Colorado’s top girl name: Olivia
• Colorado’s top boy name: Oliver
• Colorado’s 1 unique girl name: Ezmae
• Colorado’s 1 unique boy name: Cale
  • Professional hockey player Cale Makar plays for the Colorado Avalanche (and won the Stanley Cup with them in mid-2022).

Connecticut

• Connecticut’s top girl name: Olivia
• Connecticut’s top boy name: Liam
• No unique girl names.
• No unique boy names.

Delaware

• Delaware’s top girl name: Sophia
• Delaware’s top boy name: Liam
• 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: Abigaelle, Ainoa, Keisha, Anaelle, Alysha, Jamia, Jehlani, Mariangel, Taraji, Aaleyah (total of 123)
• Florida’s top 10 unique boy names: Piero, Kenley, Kensley, Kion, Romel, Royale, Promise, Adams, Imani, Jahkai (total of 110)

Georgia

• Georgia’s top girl name: Olivia
• Georgia’s top boy name: Noah
• Georgia’s top 10 unique girl names: Yari, Choyce, Janova, Aloni, Kelli, Sarabi, Serayah, Zakiyah, Cai, Candelaria (total of 33)
• Georgia’s top 10 unique boy names: Deuce, Walton, Jamario, Lawton, Jeb, Kanon, Masyn, Peace, Pearce, Robel (total of 29)

Hawaii

• Hawaii’s top girl name: Olivia
• Hawaii’s top boy name: Noah
• Hawaii’s 5 unique girl names: Lilinoe, Mahealani, Kelia, Mehana, Mele
• Hawaii’s top 10 unique boy names: Ikaika, Ryzen, Kainalu, Kaeo, Kaikoa, Kawika, Makani, Hayzen, Kalai, Kiai (total of 11)

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: Kinzie, Zuzanna, Maleyah, Miliani, Novella, Ozzie, Colleen, Iga, Kamira, Kamoura (total of 15)
• Illinois’s top 10 unique boy names: Vuk, Aleksandar, Andrej, Michal, Nikodem, Teodor, Lazar, Namir, Nyaire, Abdurrahman (total of 22)

Indiana

• Indiana’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Indiana’s top boy name: Oliver
• Indiana’s 10 unique girl names: Israel, Brenlee, Talaya, Arionna, Dalayah, Islay, Jacklynn, Laiana, Saylah, Wrigley
• Indiana’s 6 unique boy names: Maciah, Brayton, Jentry, Jordon, Menno, Olyver

Iowa

• Iowa’s top girl name: Olivia
• Iowa’s top boy name: Oliver
• No unique girl names.
• No unique boy names.

Kansas

• Kansas’s top girl name: Olivia
• Kansas’s top boy name: Liam
• Kansas’s 1 unique girl name: Breckyn
• Kansas’s 1 unique boy name: Calan

Kentucky

• Kentucky’s top girl name: Harper
• Kentucky’s top boy name: Liam
• Kentucky’s 2 unique girl names: Rosetta, Tinslee
• Kentucky’s 2 unique boy names: Jansen, Taytum

Louisiana

• Louisiana’s top girl name: Olivia
• Louisiana’s top boy name: Liam
• Louisiana’s 9 unique girl names: Kamyri, Jaylei, Juri, Kemani, Ellarie, Jaisley, Kaleigha, Kenslei, Weslyn
• Louisiana’s top 10 unique boy names: Khyzer, Kennon, Aysen, Denym, Brylon, Caisen, Dedrick, Mahzi, Tory, Treylin (total of 11)

Maine (ME)

• Maine’s top girl name: Evelyn
• Maine’s top boy name: Oliver
• Maine’s 1 unique girl name: Acadia
  • Acadia National Park is located in Maine.
• No unique boy names.

Maryland (MD)

• Maryland’s top girl name: Ava
• Maryland’s top boy name: Liam
• Maryland’s 6 unique girl names: Nature, Arsema, Loyal, Ayomide, Eniola, Hasset
• Maryland’s 4 unique boy names: Record, Tavon, Ezana, Kymere

Massachusetts (MA)

• Massachusetts’s top girl name: Olivia
• Massachusetts’s top boy name: Noah
• Massachusetts’s 8 unique girl names: Emilly, Marialuiza, Mariaclara, Aylla, Emanuelly, Hellena, Eloa, Isabelly
• Massachusetts’s 2 unique boy names: Eoghan, Murilo

Michigan (MI)

• Michigan’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Michigan’s top boy name: Noah
• Michigan’s top 10 unique girl names: Reema, Zahraa, Germany, Rital, Areej, Harlym, Kamylah, Layal, Zyaire, Elloise (total of 17)
• Michigan’s top 10 unique boy names: Floyd, Renley, Mohsen, Stuart, Wissam, Amaree, Delon, Husayn, Ishaaq, Joud (total of 12)

Minnesota (MN)

• Minnesota’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Minnesota’s top boy name: Oliver
• Minnesota’s top 10 unique girl names: Maryama, Siham, Ahlam, Manal, Mumtaz, Rayan, Ikhlas, Nawal, Afnan, Maiza (total of 34)
• Minnesota’s top 10 unique boy names: Yahye, Muhsin, Mohamedamin, Munasar, Nels, Sudais, Amaar, Brekken, Hanad, Majid (total of 29)

Mississippi (MS)

• Mississippi’s top girl name: Ava
• Mississippi’s top boy name: James
• Mississippi’s 5 unique girl names: Rivers, Kaisleigh, Rhyleigh, Kulture, Mills
• Mississippi’s 1 unique boy name: Khyler

Missouri (MO)

• Missouri’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Missouri’s top boy name: Oliver
• Missouri’s 5 unique girl names: Quinley, Rilee, Taylynn, Sekani, Teddy
• Missouri’s 6 unique boy names: Petie, Tennessee, Devontae, Kolsyn, Maclin, Weslee

Montana (MT)

• Montana’s top girl name: Olivia
• Montana’s top boy name: William
• No unique girl names.
• No unique boy names.

Nebraska

• Nebraska’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Nebraska’s top boy name: Oliver
• Nebraska’s 1 unique girl name: Eh
• Nebraska’s 1 unique boy name: Creighton
  • Creighton University is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

Nevada

• Nevada’s top girl name: Olivia
• Nevada’s top boy name: Liam
• Nevada’s 1 unique girl name: Hemen
• No unique boy names.

New Hampshire

• New Hampshire’s top girl name: Charlotte
• New Hampshire’s top boy name: Theodore
• No unique girl names.
• No unique boy names.

New Jersey

• New Jersey’s top girl name: Emma
• New Jersey’s top boy name: Liam
• New Jersey’s top 10 unique girl names: Tzivia, Shulamis, Ita, Debra, Fay, Sheva, Dena, Esti, Giorgia, Mattea (total of 11)
• New Jersey’s top 10 unique boy names: Gershon, Boruch, Michoel, Yechezkel, Pinchos, Avigdor, Ahsan, Betzalel, Ibn, Nesanel (total of 15)

New Mexico

• New Mexico’s top girl name: Sophia
• New Mexico’s top boy name: Liam
• No unique girl names.
• New Mexico’s 1 unique boy name: Cruzito

New York

• New York’s top girl name: Olivia
• New York’s top boy name: Liam
• New York’s top 10 unique girl names: Faigy, Gitty, Yitty, Raizy, Goldy, Shaindy, Blima, Henny, Pessy, Hinda (total of 197)
• New York’s top 10 unique boy names: Shaya, Mendy, Usher, Yitzchak, Avrum, Yossi, Hershel, Elimelech, Shloma, Yida (total of 179)

North Carolina

• North Carolina’s top girl name: Olivia
• North Carolina’s top boy name: Liam
• North Carolina’s top 10 unique girl names: Huntleigh, Makinley, Meylin, Talayah, Adair, Alaura, Avacyn, Bryelle, Emersen, Goddess (total of 18)
• North Carolina’s top 10 unique boy names: Darrius, Shelton, Sheppard, Ward, Waylan, Zeb, Chasen, Clarke, Kaysin, Kori (total of 22)

North Dakota

• North Dakota’s top girl name: Olivia
• North Dakota’s top boy name: Oliver
• North Dakota’s 1 unique girl name: Girl (a placeholder name)
• No unique boy names.

Ohio

• Ohio’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Ohio’s top boy name: Oliver
• Ohio’s top 10 unique girl names: Kierra, Lamiyah, Paizlee, Dempsey, Myonna, Annamae, Iyonna, Jaila, Jamyah, Khori (total of 29)
• Ohio’s top 10 unique boy names: Bennet, Cylas, Merlin, Abdallah, Wayde, Atlee, Bashir, Blessing, Bryden, Cylus (total of 19)

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma’s top girl name: Olivia
• Oklahoma’s top boy name: Liam
• Oklahoma’s 4 unique girl names: Lakota, Huxley, Lun, Raelee
• Oklahoma’s 2 unique boy names: Thang, Ripken

Oregon

• Oregon’s top girl name: Olivia
• 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: Liam
• Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique girl names: Barbie, Verna, Lavina, Alahna, Allure, Gionna, Laela, Lovina, Giavonna, Jennica (total of 25)
• Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique boy names: Benuel, Enos, Arlan, Penn, Munir, Welles, Kendry, Koleson, Tyreek, Ahsaan (total of 25)

Rhode Island

• Rhode Island’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Rhode Island’s top boy name: Liam
• No unique girl names.
• No unique boy names.

South Carolina

• South Carolina’s top girl name: Charlotte
• South Carolina’s top boy name: Noah
• No unique girl names.
• South Carolina’s 4 unique boy names: Rashaun, Tillman, Keylan, Tyquan

South Dakota

• South Dakota’s top girl name: Evelyn
• South Dakota’s top boy name: Oliver
• 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: Liam
• Tennessee’s top 10 unique girl names: Neely, Annsley, Elleanor, Kimberlynn, Whitlee, Alasia, Brenley, Brylie, Copper, Enslee (total of 15)
• Tennessee’s top 10 unique boys names: Neyland, Holston, Opie, Hatcher, Kevon, Randal, Ryman, Aleczander, Dekari, Kaven (total of 14)
  • The University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium was named after former athletic director/coach Robert Neyland.
  • Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium 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: Landrie, Devany, Darianna, Atalie, Conley, Eliane, Leddy, Aitanna, Darely, Heiress (total of 501)
• Texas’s top 10 unique boy names: Riggin, Witten, Job, Weldon, Cutter, Judge, Stratton, Blayze, Cross, Ferran (total of 310)

Utah

• Utah’s top girl name: Olivia
• Utah’s top boy name: Oliver
• Utah’s 9 unique girl names: Alta, Liesl, Swayzee, Indica, Manaia, Nayvie, Quincey, Rorie, Savvy
• Utah’s 10 unique boy names: Stockton, Ammon, Dallin, Cache, Kimball, Tyce, Hudsen, Niels, Quin, Talmage
  • Former professional basketball player John Stockton spent his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz.
  • Dallin H. Oaks is one of the leaders of the LDS Church.
  • James E. Talmage was one of the leaders of the LDS Church in the early 1900s.

Vermont

• Vermont’s top girl name: Amelia
• 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 2 unique girl names: Cameran, Menna
• Virginia’s 5 unique boy names: Amnen, Arkan, Athens, Kani, Khylen

(Here are the top baby names in Virginia, and within each of Virginia’s largest ethnic groups, according to the state itself.)

Washington

• Washington’s top girl name: Olivia
• Washington’s top boy name: Oliver
• Washington’s 10 unique girl names: Mishika, Simona, Angelika, Hermela, Masina, Meklit, Shelly, Skadi, Soliana, Zakia
• Washington’s top 10 unique boy names: Ruvim, Leul, Nazar, Orrin, Eldon, Ilya, Odysseus, Roscoe, Ryett, Tavish (total of 11)

West Virginia

• West Virginia’s top girl name: Amelia
• West Virginia’s top boy name: Asher
• No unique girl names.
• No unique boy names.

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Wisconsin’s top boy name: Henry
• Wisconsin’s 3 unique girl names: Lorene, Luann, Maevis
• Wisconsin’s 3 unique boy names: Lavern, Wilbur, Willem

Wyoming

• Wyoming’s top girl name: Charlotte
• Wyoming’s top boy name: Noah
• No unique girl names.
• No unique boy names.

(Here are the top baby names in Wyoming according to the state itself.)

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Many of the unique names above can be attributed to large religious/ethnic groups within certain states, such as the Amish in Pennsylvania/Ohio/Indiana, the Jews in New York/New Jersey, the Mormons in Utah/Idaho, and the Somali in Minnesota.

In fact, some of the names that appeared in the data for two states can be attributed to usage within these groups as well. Examples include…

• Hyrum, Utah & Idaho
• Mckay, Utah & Idaho
• Mordechai, New York & New Jersey
• Malka, New York & New Jersey
• Rhoda, Ohio & Pennsylvania

Do you have any thoughts about the single-state names above? Or about any of the other names in the 2022 state-by-state data? If so, please leave a comment!

(One thought I had: The most interesting top-5 this time around has to be West Virginia’s boys’ list: Asher, Grayson, Waylon, Oliver, and Liam. And sixth place is a tie between Maverick and Noah.)

Source: Popular Names by State – SSA

Image: Topographical Map of the USA by NOAA