Baby Name: Sampson

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