How popular is the baby name Woodson in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Woodson.

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Popularity of the baby name Woodson


Posts that mention the name Woodson

Popular and unique baby names in each U.S. state in 2024

USA topographic map

Which baby names were the most popular in each U.S. state in 2024?

And which baby names appeared in the data for just one state last year?

Let’s check it out…

Alabama

Girl names (AL)Boy names (AL)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 234 babies
2. Olivia, 224
3. Amelia, 214		1. William, 314 babies
2. John, 303
3. James, 297
Unique to AL’s dataAlona, Kaziah, Laiklyn, MarcieBryston, Gaines, Javaris, Kamir, Raylon, Talan

Alaska

Girl names (AK)Boy names (AK)
Most popular1. Amelia, 39 babies
2. Olivia, 36
3. Aurora, 31		1. Oliver, 52 babies
2. Theodore, 40
3. Liam/Noah (tie), 39 each
Unique to AK’s data(none)(none)

Arizona

Girl names (AZ)Boy names (AZ)
Most popular1. Olivia, 346 babies
2. Emma, 326
3. Isabella, 306		1. Liam, 504 babies
2. Noah, 446
3. Mateo, 420
Unique to AZ’s dataAriza, Nizhoni, Adelani, Aryella, Blu, RehemaPayson, Huey, Tillman

The Navajo word nizhóní means “beautiful” or “good.”

Payson might be a reference to the Arizona town of Payson.

Tillman could be a tribute to Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.

Arkansas

Girl names (AR)Boy names (AR)
Most popular1. Olivia, 132 babies
2. Amelia, 117
3. Emma, 104		1. Liam, 173 babies
2. Oliver, 159
3. Noah, 149
Unique to AR’s data(none)(none)

California

Girl names (CA)Boy names (CA)
Most popular1. Mia, 1,986 babies
2. Olivia, 1,931
3. Camila, 1,885		1. Liam, 2,716 babies
2. Noah, 2,674
3. Mateo, 2,360
Unique to CA’s dataMannat, Rahil, Shaya, Imara, Anayat, Genevie, Hennessy, Roya, Venice, Arlyn, Itzia, Iyari, Izabel, Jiana, Lulu, Sandy, Seerat, Yaneth, Avnoor, Daleysa, Dayra, Inayat, Iona, Magali, Nadar, Nazanin, Nico, Sahar, Ameli, Anahat, Arissa, Arpi, Avleen, Bani, Carmel, Delphine, Gisel, Jazlene, Justine, Kirpa, Ora, Raylene, Ruhani, Sidak, Xochi, Zephyr, Adelynne, Amanat, Arisa, Aritzia…
(top 50 of 502 total)		Armen, Hero, Remmy, Agam, Dara, Ekam, Mehtab, Himmat, Waris, Jujhar, Jun, Sahib, Jorawar, Lenin, Skye, Tejas, Tigran, Galileo, Hari, Kirin, Rai, Zeno, Kavir, Rigo, Sora, Aadvik, Franky, Gibran, Greg, Hovhannes, Kasra, Laksh, Nasser, Oz, Ara, Arin, Artur, Ashot, Bosco, Broderick, Eduin, Eliano, Ferdinand, Juno, Kavin, Marius, Matisse, Mehran, Mihir, Ojas…
(top 50 of 356 total)

Another unique-to-California girl name was Topanga.

Colorado

Girl names (CO)Boy names (CO)
Most popular1. Olivia, 277 babies
2. Charlotte, 262
3. Emma, 229		1. Liam, 423 babies
2. Oliver, 367
3. Noah, 341
Unique to CO’s data(none)Wacey

Connecticut

Girl names (CT)Boy names (CT)
Most popular1. Mia/Olivia (tie), 167 babies each
3. Charlotte, 155		1. Liam, 253 babies
2. Noah, 252
3. Oliver, 170
Unique to CT’s data(none)Kendriel

Delaware

Girl names (DE)Boy names (DE)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 46 babies
2. Sophia, 43
3. Emma, 38		1. Liam, 74 babies
2. Noah, 54
3. Oliver, 44
Unique to DE’s data(none)(none)

District of Columbia

Girl names (DC)Boy names (DC)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 48 babies
2. Olivia, 43
3. Zoe, 39		1. James, 58 babies
2. Liam, 56
3. Henry, 51
Unique to DC’s data(none)(none)

Florida

Girl names (FL)Boy names (FL)
Most popular1. Olivia, 1,142 babies
2. Emma, 1,084
3. Mia, 1,058		1. Liam, 1,818 babies
2. Noah, 1,736
3. Lucas, 926
Unique to FL’s dataElianis, Icelyn, Pera, Adel, Ainoah, Daliana, Emunah, Jaziyah, Kiarah, Saraiyah, Alanys, Aluna, Leyna, Sephora, Zayelle, Alaiia, Alesia, Anahia, Christelle, Christie, Daily, Dillon, Lidya, Mehlani, Reigna, Taisha, Taylynn, Viktoria, Yemaya, Zorah, Abigael, Ahsoka, Ainoa, Ariyana, Cailee, Cailynn, Cristy, Daniyah, Darah, Derin, Elayah, Florencia, Gaelle, Gracey, Jaelle, Jaia, Jasper, Jemimah, Kamoni, Khai…
(top 50 of 117 total)		Diago, Fabrizio, Piero, Yan, Woodley, Carlens, Eliyah, Kervens, Maelo, Zahmir, Adams, Geoffrey, Jakeem, Janiel, Khairo, Lamir, Mako, Nilo, Tavaris, Xian, Amael, Apolo, Armand, Artis, Chaz, Costa, Dequan, Ege, Filippo, Jahani, Jahmyr, Jardani, Jazir, Jomar, Keion, Khaleb, Kimani, Kuzey, Mattia, Matvey, Millan, Peace, Romir, Shamar, Thane, Trae, Yamil, Aeden, Antwon, Beckam…
(top 50 of 96 total)

Georgia

Girl names (GA)Boy names (GA)
Most popular1. Charlotte/Olivia (tie), 451 babies each
2. Amelia, 431		1. Liam, 771 babies
2. Noah, 708
3. James, 478
Unique to GA’s dataJalia, Amryn, Choyce, Honest, Ameria, Atley, Jaida, Jamiya, Kaiori, Nalayah, Teyana, Zori, Alden, Alonna, Amiria, Amouri, Annsley, Azani, Braylin, Cree, Dasia, Drue, Esma, Heran, Jazaiyah, Justyce, Kaidence, Kanyla, Kayani, Khylee, Kohen, Legacie, Mariya, Noriah, Nyrobi, Purity, Purpose, Savani, Waverley, Zakiya, ZanaiLawton, Jhacari, Kari, Nahmir, Quamir, Amarii, Kidus, Kmari, Murray, Sevin, Xylan, Britt, Chancellor, Charleston, Dayvon, Gaspar, Honest, Hutson, Jahsier, Jailen, Jakori, Jalani, Jameer, Jamiri, Kaedyn, Kamiri, Kendell, Keyshawn, Khayir, Kory, Kyier, Kymari, Makhari, Marquez, Oseas, Rahzi, Romari, Taylan, Taylon, Wilkes

Hawaii

Girl names (HI)Boy names (HI)
Most popular1. Olivia, 40 babies
2. Emma/Kaia (tie), 38 each		1. Noah, 59 babies
2. Elijah/Ezra/Liam (3-way tie), 40 each
Unique to HI’s dataNanea, Pualena, Malie, Olena, IlihiaKaimana, Kanaloa, Kaikoa, Kainalu, Kanoa, Makana, Ryzen, Nainoa, Ikaika, Kamahao, Kanai

Idaho

Girl names (ID)Boy names (ID)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 95 babies
2. Hazel, 91
3. Olivia, 89		1. Oliver, 143 babies
2. Henry, 113
3. Liam, 105
Unique to ID’s data(none)(none)

Illinois

Girl names (IL)Boy names (IL)
Most popular1. Olivia, 501 babies
2. Mia, 477
3. Charlotte, 463		1. Liam, 737 babies
2. Noah, 670
3. Oliver, 556
Unique to IL’s dataAlicja, Carley, Auden, Camora, Germany, Hajar, Jouri, Maja, Sila, Sofiia, Sofija, SusannahNikodem, Kacper, Maksym, Andrej, Damarion, Emry, Tadei, Zaviel, Ansar, Darrion, Eldon, Jozef, Lukyan, Nox, Trayvon

Indiana

Girl names (IN)Boy names (IN)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 354 babies
2. Amelia, 346
3. Sophia, 254		1. Oliver, 397 babies
2. Liam, 384
3. Theodore, 341
Unique to IN’s dataApolonia, Charlette, Halen, Maris, QuinnleyDarrin, Wrigley, Grayden, Jamin, Maciah, Naunihal, Oaklyn

Iowa

Girl names (IA)Boy names (IA)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 140 babies
2. Amelia, 133
3. Evelyn/Harper (tie), 121 each		1. Oliver, 192 babies
2. Henry, 187
3. Liam, 164
Unique to IA’s dataPosieWilbur, Willard

Kansas

Girl names (KS)Boy names (KS)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 166 babies
2. Olivia, 151
3. Emma, 131		1. Oliver, 174 babies
2. Theodore, 163
3. Liam, 150
Unique to KS’s data(none)Kipton

Kentucky

Girl names (KY)Boy names (KY)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 204 babies
2. Amelia, 191
3. Lainey/Willow (tie), 161 each		1. Liam, 256 babies
2. Oliver, 244
3. Waylon, 223
Unique to KY’s dataAnistyn, Blaklee, JorjaWoodson, Brentlee, Rook, Janson, Kashten

Louisiana

Girl names (LA)Boy names (LA)
Most popular1. Olivia, 204 babies
2. Amelia, 178
3. Charlotte, 173		1. Liam, 261 babies
2. Noah, 256
3. Elijah, 214
Unique to LA’s dataDaliyah, Makenzi, Baileigh, Jamari, Jori, KaislynDenym, Kylon, Crews, Demond, Mykel, Tyren, Kailon, Khyren, Kullen, Zaylon

Maine

Girl names (ME)Boy names (ME)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 60 babies
2. Olivia, 51
3. Evelyn, 45		1. Oliver, 79 babies
2. Theodore, 69
3. Henry, 51
Unique to ME’s data(none)Horace

Maryland

Girl names (MD)Boy names (MD)
Most popular1. Olivia, 231 babies
2. Charlotte, 225
3. Emma, 207		1. Liam, 455 babies
2. Noah, 348
3. James/Oliver (tie), 211 each
Unique to MD’s dataYari, Arsema, Ephrata, ImisioluwaRecord, Dyland, Drue, Hazel

The placeholder “Record” also popped up in Maryland’s data in 2023.

Massachusetts

Girl names (MA)Boy names (MA)
Most popular1. Olivia, 339 babies
2. Charlotte, 294
3. Emma, 294		1. Noah, 514 babies
2. Liam, 441
3. Oliver, 346
Unique to MA’s dataMariaclara, Mariaalice, Analiz, Isabelly, Lunna, MarialuizaJoaomiguel, Otavio

Michigan

Girl names (MI)Boy names (MI)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 382 babies
2. Amelia, 377
3. Olivia, 316		1. Noah, 488 babies
2. Theodore, 469
3. Oliver, 454
Unique to MI’s dataZahraa, Raneem, Maram, Onalee, Winnifred, Annastasia, Jersei, Kamoura, Lainie, Lenni, Lyndie, Mielle, Raevyn, RhileyHaidar, Hutch, Hutchinson, Majd, Masyn, Wellington, Callaghan, Colston, Henryk, Kavon, Khyaire, Marquan, Myair, Orrin, Siraj, Uthman

Minnesota

Girl names (MN)Boy names (MN)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 225 babies
2. Evelyn, 222
3. Olivia, 208		1. Liam, 340 babies
2. Henry/Theodore (tie), 326 each
Unique to MN’s dataMaiza, Maryama, Nawal, Manal, Anzal, Svea, Munira, Maryan, Solveig, Ahlaam, Hamdi, Hikma, Salwa, Britta, Freja, Ikhlas, Manaal, Nada, Paw, Sabrin, Suhaila, YemariamAbdullahi, Muad, Mubarak, Bauer, Eh, Munasar, Sabir, Mohamedamin, Jabir, Maher, Masud, Mazin, Mubashir, Muzamil, Nels, Ole, Sajid, Suhaib

Mississippi

Girl names (MS)Boy names (MS)
Most popular1. Ava, 94 babies
2. Olivia, 93
3. Amelia, 86		1. William, 161 babies
2. John, 158
3. James, 146
Unique to MS’s dataKhylie, Jaisley, LoxleyJamarius

Missouri

Girl names (MO)Boy names (MO)
Most popular1. Amelia/Charlotte (tie), 292 each
2. Olivia, 252		1. Oliver, 425 babies
2. Henry, 323
3. Theodore, 303
Unique to MO’s dataSaloma, Jensyn, Kayori, LettiEverhett, Huxlee, Bently, Dietrich, Maclin

Montana

Girl names (MT)Boy names (MT)
Most popular1. Lainey, 47 babies
2. Charlotte, 41
3. Olivia, 37		1. Oliver, 58 babies
2. James, 56
3. Theodore, 49
Unique to MT’s data(none)(none)

Nebraska

Girl names (NE)Boy names (NE)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 107 babies
2. Evelyn, 83
3. Amelia/Harper/Olivia (3-way tie), 82 each		1. Oliver, 137 babies
2. Theodore, 122
3. Henry, 113
Unique to NE’s dataHalsey, Lennie(none)

Nevada

Girl names (NV)Boy names (NV)
Most popular1. Olivia, 159 babies
2. Isabella, 121
3. Sophia, 119		1. Liam, 213 babies
2. Mateo, 187
3. Noah, 177
Unique to NV’s data(none)(none)

New Hampshire

Girl names (NH)Boy names (NH)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 93 babies
2. Olivia, 55
3. Amelia, 54		1. Theodore, 91 babies
2. Oliver, 90
3. Henry, 82
Unique to NH’s data(none)(none)

New Jersey

Girl names (NJ)Boy names (NJ)
Most popular1. Mia, 468 babies
2. Sophia, 465
3. Emma, 456		1. Liam, 773 babies
2. Noah, 717
3. Lucas, 428
Unique to NJ’s dataTzipora, Tzivia, Leba, Ettel, Tzipporah, Deena, Mahi, Radhika, Reena, Rus, Temi, Temima, Arna, Asani, Dena, Fatema, Heloisa, Nili, Perri, TammyYechezkel, Michoel, Elchonon, Shaul, Avigdor, Nosson, Naftoli, Arda, Shimshon, Shivaay, Domenick, Joniel, Maahir, Mordy, Nochum, Aryav, Harshiv, Nechemia, Refoel, Shivay, Shiven, Shua

New Mexico

Girl names (NM)Boy names (NM)
Most popular1. Mia, 81 babies
2. Camila, 74
3. Emma, 72		1. Noah, 102 babies
2. Mateo, 96
3. Ezekiel/Liam (tie), 95 each
Unique to NM’s data(none)(none)

New York

Girl names (NY)Boy names (NY)
Most popular1. Mia, 836 babies
2. Emma, 830
3. Sophia, 821		1. Liam, 1,445 babies
2. Noah, 1,409
3. Lucas, 774
Unique to NY’s dataGitty, Faigy, Rivky, Sury, Chany, Hindy, Esty, Goldy, Hinda, Yides, Faiga, Henny, Perel, Shevy, Etty, Brucha, Frady, Yenty, Frimet, Shaindel, Aissatou, Mushka, Frimmy, Kadiatou, Zlaty, Mirel, Abiha, Ayelet, Bina, Reizel, Toba, Ajla, Chani, Maha, Muntaha, Penina, Ratzy, Rivkah, Sari, Chumy, Faiza, Frimy, Hadja, Mali, Yittel, Arfa, Baily, Fatiha, Fotima, Henchy…
(top 50 of 192 total)		Hershy, Mendy, Usher, Yechiel, Hersh, Elimelech, Yossi, Avrumy, Lazer, Hershel, Pinchas, Motty, Shloma, Shraga, Duvid, Meilech, Pinchus, Mordche, Yida, Ousmane, Burech, Leiby, Boruch, Faizan, Safwan, Muhammadamin, Sruly, Aboubacar, Nuchem, Rakan, Yona, Ahnaf, Boubacar, Nachman, Tovia, Abdoul, Ibrohim, Menashe, Arish, Mechel, Noach, Akil, Imron, Ioannis, Mouhamadou, Naseem, Abrar, Antonino, Giacomo, Nazar…
(top 50 of 181 total)

North Carolina

Girl names (NC)Boy names (NC)
Most popular1. Olivia, 469 babies
2. Amelia, 466
3. Emma, 425		1. Liam, 745 babies
2. Noah, 685
3. Oliver, 536
Unique to NC’s dataKeagan, Lynleigh, Myers, Niara, Lynnox, Nalaya, Nyasia, Talayah, Xenovia, Emaline, Grayson, Layloni, Mailynn, Rian, Tahani, Taylen, Xylani, Xylia, ZenayaNakari, Nylan, Cyncere, Daquan, Macon, Righteous, Takoda, Wheeler, Wisdom, Dani, Jaceyon, Kaesyn, Laine, Lakota, Talen, Zaelyn

North Dakota

Girl names (ND)Boy names (ND)
Most popular1. Evelyn, 48 babies
2. Amelia/Lainey (tie), 37 each		1. Oliver, 56 babies
2. Henry, 49
3. Theodore, 45
Unique to ND’s data(none)(none)

Ohio

Girl names (OH)Boy names (OH)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 531 babies
2. Amelia, 480
3. Olivia, 420		1. Oliver, 617 babies
2. Noah, 597
3. Theodore, 595
Unique to OH’s dataMaizey, Maylynn, Renn, Adlee, Bexleigh, Winsley, Amyla, Coralynn, Corrine, Elayne, Jayonna, Kamara, Kiah, Kierra, Kimberlee, Krista, Laci, Lanae, Layonna, Leigha, Lenyx, Leonna, Treazure, WeslynJoni, Kenyon, Larkin, Martez, Raymir, Rennick, Shreyansh, Trevin, Bodey, Brantlee, Cincere, Dameir, Domani, Ebenezer, Harlen, Javin, Kallan, Kingstyn, Tymeir, Urban, Weller, Zylon

Oklahoma

Girl names (OK)Boy names (OK)
Most popular1. Olivia, 165 babies
2. Amelia/Charlotte (tie), 149 each		1. Liam, 262 babies
2. Oliver, 210
3. Noah, 192
Unique to OK’s dataNiang, MyleighThang

Oregon

Girl names (OR)Boy names (OR)
Most popular1. Olivia, 164 babies
2. Amelia, 149
3. Charlotte, 135		1. Oliver, 237 babies
2. Liam, 201
3. Theodore, 189
Unique to OR’s data(none)Timber

Pennsylvania

Girl names (PA)Boy names (PA)
Most popular1. Olivia, 513 babies
2. Charlotte, 487
3. Emma, 460		1. Noah, 740 babies
2. Liam, 611
3. Oliver, 597
Unique to PA’s dataFannie, Lavina, Kelce, Sumayyah, Surah, Avamarie, Danni, Harlo, Keegan, Kree, Liani, Sarann, Verna, Ameenah, Ayuri, Azarah, Daysha, Jazara, Kerri, Khori, Liviana, Michaella, Roseanna, Shree, Tayla, Vivia, Wrenna, ZuriyahBenuel, Mahlon, Nino, Trea, Azier, Boyd, Muadh, Aasir, Aayush, Ahzir, Azim, Conall, Freeman, Jamian, Jaxiel, Karon, Nasai, Nevin, Penn

Fannie, Lavina, Benuel, and Mahlon are often used by the Amish.

Kelce could have been influenced by longtime Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce, who announced his retirement in early 2024.

Rhode Island

Girl names (RI)Boy names (RI)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 48 babies
2. Mia, 44
3. Emma, 42		1. Liam, 74 babies
2. Noah, 68
3. Lucas, 66
Unique to RI’s data(none)(none)

South Carolina

Girl names (SC)Boy names (SC)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 227 babies
2. Amelia, 202
3. Olivia, 197		1. Noah, 310 babies
2. Liam, 295
3. William, 274
Unique to SC’s dataGracen, Nature, RoyaltiDrayton, Creighton, Kymere

South Dakota

Girl names (SD)Boy names (SD)
Most popular1. Amelia, 47 babies
2. Charlotte/Lainey (tie), 45 each		1. Liam/Oliver (tie), 52 babies each
2. Henry, 51
Unique to SD’s data(none)(none)

Tennessee

Girl names (TN)Boy names (TN)
Most popular1. Amelia, 354 babies
2. Charlotte, 343
3. Olivia, 304		1. Liam, 532 babies
2. Oliver, 427
3. William, 421
Unique to TN’s dataWeslynn, Acelyn, Azayla, Brilee, Cing, Deasia, Lakely, Lemon, Maevry, Posey, RileighNeyland, Ryman, Holston, Kavion, Zamarion, Ladarius, Breyer, Huntlee, Locklan, Martavious, Walton

Neyland and Ryman are references to Neyland Stadium and Ryman Auditorium.

Texas

Girl names (TX)Boy names (TX)
Most popular1. Olivia, 1,757 babies
2. Emma, 1,754
3. Mia, 1,689		1. Liam, 3,084 babies
2. Noah, 2,396
3. Mateo, 2,087
Unique to TX’s dataEugenia, Berenice, Cambri, Analeigha, Ailen, Maribella, Myka, Silvana, Amorette, Ayelen, Channing, Chimamanda, Chizaram, Conley, Dariela, Emarie, Lyriq, Alizay, Aven, Azlynn, Karli, Kiari, Maysen, Taryn, Tiaraoluwa, Collyns, Karson, Kimberlyn, Kolbi, Leddy, Leigh, Mialani, Shaddai, Steely, Vibha, Xayla, Yeshna, Zailee, Aeliana, Arlie, Atenea, Chizara, Golden, Hannia, Ivyanna, Kaisleigh, Kambrie, Katalyna, Kayliana, Leilanni…
(top 50 of 535 total)		Roel, Stoney, Witten, Cutter, Ediel, Homero, Hays, Judge, Amelio, Cross, Jr, Rhyder, Texas, Eduar, Eliud, Hilario, Kaycee, Zacchaeus, Avik, Ayaansh, Azlaan, Banner, Brahim, Dimas, Fabricio, Fermin, Jaceon, Jehu, Manvik, Riyansh, Tilden, Yamin, Zayvian, Aavyan, Alam, Anias, Audie, Azreal, Caine, Collins, Enmanuel, Esiah, Exodus, Gamaliel, Hamdan, Jazhiel, Judas, Kiyaan, Magdiel, Mathieu…
(top 50 of 343 total)

Utah

Girl names (UT)Boy names (UT)
Most popular1. Olivia, 215 babies
2. Charlotte, 189
3. Emma, 175		1. Oliver, 285 babies
2. Liam, 260
3. Henry, 238
Unique to UT’s dataAfton, Brexlee, Bronwyn, Maizee, Quincey, SwayzeeMckay, Hyrum, Jeter, Talmage, Covey, Bruin, Dallin, Elden, Clancy, Garth, Griffey, Kove, Quin, Sosaia, Tomasi

Past and current leaders of the LDS Church include David O. McKay, Hyrum Smith, James E. Talmage, and Dallin H. Oaks. And I think it’s possible that Covey was influenced by LDS-associated business writer Stephen Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People).

Vermont

Girl names (VT)Boy names (VT)
Most popular1. Amelia, 29 babies
2. Charlotte, 28
3. Harper, 24		1. Oliver, 34 babies
2. Henry, 28
3. Theodore, 27
Unique to VT’s data(none)(none)

Virginia

Girl names (VA)Boy names (VA)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 435 babies
2. Olivia, 362
3. Sophia, 354		1. Liam, 585 babies
2. Noah, 511
3. James, 425
Unique to VA’s dataDakotah, Aaryn, Odyssey, Rayelle, SoliyanaCaelan, Afton, Emaan, Johannes, Leul, Terence, Tyus

Washington

Girl names (WA)Boy names (WA)
Most popular1. Olivia, 354 babies
2. Charlotte, 284
3. Amelia, 269		1. Oliver, 448 babies
2. Liam, 444
3. Noah, 388
Unique to WA’s dataAmen, Solomiya, Airi, Ishira, MaanyaAvenir, Babyboy, Ruvim, Anav

West Virginia

Girl names (WV)Boy names (WV)
Most popular1. Amelia, 89 babies
2. Lainey/Olivia (tie), 72 each		1. Oliver, 102 babies
2. Waylon, 92
3. Maverick, 83
Unique to WV’s data(none)Koleson

Wisconsin

Girl names (WI)Boy names (WI)
Most popular1. Charlotte, 248 babies
2. Olivia, 209
3. Evelyn, 206		1. Oliver, 314 babies
2. Henry, 303
3. Liam, 296
Unique to WI’s dataLorene, SigridTidus

Lorene is another name often used by the Amish.

Wyoming

Girl names (WY)Boy names (WY)
Most popular1. Emma, 19 babies
2. Harper/Hazel (tie), 18 each		1. Oliver, 27 babies
2. Hudson/James (tie), 24 each
Unique to WY’s data(none)(none)

Do you have thoughts/theories about any of these single-state names?

Source: Popular Names by State – SSA

Image: Topographical Map of the USA by NOAA

Baby names with OO: Cooper, Brooklyn, Rooney

raccoon in a tree

Looking for baby names that feature the letter-pair OO?

I’ve collected oodles of OO names for you in this post!

Before we get to the names, though, let’s get one big question out of the way…

What sound does OO make?

In today’s English, OO commonly makes the sound you hear in the words boot, food, and moon. But it can also make other sounds, such as the ones you hear in the words blood, or door, or good.

Why all this diversity?

A lot of it has to do with the Great Vowel Shift, which lasted from the late 14th century until about 1700. The GVS was a major factor in the transition from Middle English to Modern English.

In Middle English, OO tended to make a “long o” sound. (As one of my sources explained, “scribes often indicated a long vowel sound by doubling the vowel letter.”) So, in Middle English, the words boot, food, and moon sounded more like “boat,” “foad,” and “moan.”

During the Great Vowel Shift, the pronunciation of most long vowel sounds inexplicably shifted “upward” in the mouth, and the words boot, food, and moon acquired their present-day pronunciations.

But it’s not quite as simple as that. Because some words underwent multiple pronunciation changes during the GVS, while others didn’t undergo any change at all.

And this resulted in OO having a variety of pronunciations in Modern English.

Now, back to the names!

Names with OO

Below are dozens of names that feature the letter-pair OO. Most of these names come directly from the U.S. SSA’s baby name data.

  • Ajooni
  • Alanood
  • Anoop
  • Aroosh
  • Atwood
  • Avnoor
  • Aynoor
  • Batool
  • Bloom
  • Booker
  • Boomer
  • Boone
  • Booth
  • Brentwood
  • Brooke, Brook
  • Brookelle
  • Brooker
  • Brookie
  • Brooklee, Brookley, Brookleigh
  • Brooklyn, Brooklynn, Brooklynne, Brooklin, Brooklinn, Brooklen, Brooklenn, Brookelyn, Brookelynn, Brookelynne
  • Brooks, Brookes, Broox
  • Brooksie
  • Brooksley
  • Brookson
  • Brookston
  • Cooke
  • Coolidge, Cooledge
  • Cooper, Kooper
  • Dawood
  • Delwood
  • Derwood, Durwood
  • Eastwood
  • Eknoor
  • Elwood, Ellwood
  • Farooq
  • Fleetwood
  • Garwood
  • Glenwood, Glennwood
  • Goodluck
  • Goodman
  • Goodness
  • Goodwin
  • Greenwood
  • Gurnoor
  • Hagood
  • Ha-Joon
  • Harnoor
  • Haroon
  • Harwood
  • Haywood, Heywood
  • Hooper
  • Hoor
  • Hoorain
  • Hooria, Hooriya
  • Hoover
  • Htoo
  • Japnoor
  • Jasnoor
  • Ji-Hoo
  • Ji-Soo
  • Jood
  • Joon
  • Joory
  • Joost
  • Kenwood
  • Kirkwood
  • Kohinoor
  • Kulsoom
  • Leeloo
  • Lenwood
  • Lindwood
  • Linwood
  • Lockwood
  • Lynwood, Lynnwood
  • Mahmood
  • Mahnoor
  • Manroop
  • Mansoor
  • Marwood
  • Masooma
  • Maysoon
  • Maywood
  • Moo
  • Moon
  • Moosa
  • Nooh
  • Noomi
  • Noor
  • Noora, Noorah
  • Nooreh
  • Noori
  • Nooria, Nooriyah
  • Noorseen
  • Noortje
  • Noorulain
  • Norwood
  • Oona, Oonagh
  • Oormi
  • Osgood
  • Prabhnoor
  • Poorna
  • Raywood
  • Roo
  • Roohi
  • Rook
  • Rooney
  • Roop
  • Roope
  • Roosevelt
  • Rooster
  • Seabrooke
  • Sherwood
  • Shooter
  • Sookie
  • Stanwood
  • Sun-Woo
  • Underwood
  • Westbrook
  • Wood
  • Woodard
  • Woodensley
  • Woodfin
  • Woodford
  • Woodland
  • Woodley
  • Woodlyn
  • Woodrow
  • Woodruff
  • Woods
  • Woodson
  • Woodward
  • Woody, Woodie
  • Woo-Jin
  • Yaqoob
  • Yaqoot
  • Yoona
  • Zaroon
  • Zooey

A number of the above represent transferred usage of various English surnames — particularly those that contain words like “wood,” “good,” and “brook.”

Speaking of surnames (and surnames being used as first names), did you know that five U.S. presidents had OO-names? Weirdly, all five served during the first half of the 20th century:

  • Theodore Roosevelt (in office from 1901 to 1909)
  • Woodrow Wilson (1913 to 1921)
  • Calvin Coolidge (1923 to 1929)
  • Herbert Hoover (1929 to 1933)
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933 to 1945)

Which of all the OO names above to do you like most? (Can you think of any that I missed?) Let me know in the comments!

Sources:

Image: Adapted from Raton laveur commun (Procyon lotor) by Clément Bardot under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Over 100 baby names for 100 years of the U.S. National Park Service

Grand Canyon National Park poster (NPS)
Grand Canyon National Park poster

The U.S. National Park Service has a birthday coming up!

When the NPS was created on August 25, 1916, there were only 35 national parks and monuments. (The world’s first, Yellowstone, had been established in 1872.)

Nowadays the agency oversees 411 units. These units are located in the 50 states and beyond, and include national monuments (82), national historic sites (78), national parks (59), national historical parks (50), national memorials (30), national battlefields (11), national seashores (10), national lakeshores (4), national scenic trails (3), and more.

Let’s celebrate the upcoming centennial with more than 100 baby names that pay tribute to the national parks specifically:

Lassen Volcanic National Park poster (NPS)
Lassen Volcanic National Park poster
  • Garland for Garland County, Arkansas, where Hot Springs National Park is located.
  • Gates for Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve.
  • Guadalupe for Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
  • Gunnison for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
    • The park was established in 1999, and Gunnison debuted on the baby name charts the very same year. Did one event cause the other?
  • Jackson for Jackson Hole, where much of Grand Teton National Park is located.
  • Jarvis for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve’s Mt. Jarvis.
  • Jefferson for Dry Tortugas National Park’s Fort Jefferson.
  • John for Virgin Islands National Park’s St. John Island.
  • Joshua for Joshua Tree National Park.
  • Kenai for Kenai Fjords National Park.
    • The derivation of Kenai is unknown, but it could come from either Dena’ina Athabascan (“big flat” or “two big flats and river cut-back” or “trees and brush in a swampy marsh”), Russian (“flat barren land”), or Iniut (“black bear”).
  • Kingston or Kingsley for Kings Canyon National Park.
  • Lake for any of the parks featuring lakes, such as Crater Lake National Park, Voyageurs National Park, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, etc.
  • Lamar for Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Buffalo Ranch.
  • Lassen for Lassen Volcanic National Park.
  • Lata for the National Park of American Samoa’s Lata Mountain.
  • Lehman for Great Basin National Park’s Lehman Caves.
  • Lewis for Glacier National Park’s Lewis Range.
  • Livingston for Glacier National Park’s Livingston Range.
  • Manning for Saguaro National Park’s Manning Cabin.
  • Mara for Joshua Tree National Park’s Oasis of Mara.
    • In the Serrano language, Mara means “the place of little springs and much grass.”
  • Martin for Katmai National Park & Preserve’s Mt. Martin.
  • Maui for the island of Maui, where Haleakala National Park is located.
  • Mauna for Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park’s Mauna Loa.
  • Miguel for Channel Islands National Park’s San Miguel Island.
  • Olympia for Olympic National Park.
Zion National Park poster (NPS)
Zion National Park poster
  • Parker, Parks, Park, or Parke as a tribute to all national parks.
  • Pele as a symbol of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
  • Prairie for any of the parks featuring a prairie, such as Badlands National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, etc.
  • Pratt for Guadalupe Mountains National Park’s Pratt Cabin.
  • Rainier for Mount Rainier National Park.
  • Ranger as a tribute to all national parks and park rangers.
  • Reef for Capitol Reef National Park.
  • Rhodes for Biscayne National Park’s Old Rhodes Key.
  • Rocky for Rocky Mountain National Park.
  • Roosevelt for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
  • Rosa for Channel Islands National Park’s Santa Rosa Island.
  • Royale or Royal for Isle Royale National Park.
  • Valley for any of the parks featuring a valley, such as Cuyahoga Valley, Death Valley, Kobuk Valley, etc.
  • Verda or Verdell for Mesa Verde National Park.
  • Virginia for Virgin Islands National Park.
  • Zion for Zion National Park.

For all you national park lovers out there: What other park-inspired names can you come up with?

P.S. I just learned (Nov. 2024) that the Utah Hockey Club has adopted a Labrador retriever puppy named Archie after Arches National Park, located near Moab. :)

Sources:

Images (all from the LOC): Grand Canyon National Park poster, Lassen Volcanic National Park poster, Zion National Park poster

[Latest update: Nov. 2024]