These Are The Most Popular Baby Names in Every State
These Are The Most Popular Baby Names in Every State
Every year the Social Security Administration (SSA) releases new data on the most popular baby names by state, and last year, there were some clear winners who ranked up points across the country. And while people are trying to create unique, interesting baby names, sometimes you just have to stick with what everyone else is doing and stay on trend. So, what is the most popular names in your state? If you’re curious, here’s a hint—Liam, William, Olivia, and Emma probably won wherever you live.
Alabama
While William, the most popular male name, is definitely a classic that just won't get old, Alabama got a little creative with their female pick of Ava. Fun fact? Ava is actually a variation of Eve and means "bird" in Latin.
Alaska
In Alaska, the most popular baby boy’s name is James, while a daughter’s is Emma. A few years back, James Franco got a temporary tattoo of Emma Watson’s face (with the caption "I ? Hermione"), so perhaps the new little James’ and Emma’s in Alaska may hit it off, as well!
Arizona
Emma is clearly pretty popular! There were 446 baby girls named Emma in Arizona in 2017. As for boys, Liam was the winner. (Which makes sense when you consider how handsome Liam Hemsworth is, right?)
Arkansas
Perhaps Elijah the prophet predicted that Elijah would rank as top male name this year in Arkansas. As for girls, no surprise here—Emma wins yet another victory. (I’m starting to rethink my name now.)
California
Wow—another Emma! Let’s see: Emma Stone, Emma Watson, Emma Roberts—who is responsible for this? As for males, Noah came out on top, which also has some biblical undertones, meaning “rest” and “comfort.” Something all new parents hope for in their child.
Colorado
Arizona and Colorado are on the same page, here. Liam and Emma steal another victory. A few other celebrities who have chosen Liam as the name for their sons include Tori Spelling, Kevin Costner, and Rod Stewart, so clearly they were on to something.
Connecticut
Noah wins again for the top male baby name in Connecticut, while Olivia beats out Emma for first place. (Yes, Emma came in second.) First used by Shakespeare in Twelfth Night, it’s only increased in popularity over time.
Delaware
Olivia isn’t going anywhere, as it’s Delaware’s most popular name for girls, as well. However, a new one pops up for a son—Logan. Maybe it has something to do with the movie, Logan, which was released that year.
District of Columbia
James and Ava strike again. Ava originally came to popularity by actress and singer Ava Gardner, who died in 1990, and it’s been rising in recognition since.
Florida
No surprises—the Floridians are also big Liam fans. Yet the most popular girl’s name is Isabella. World, look out for some more Izzie’s and Bella’s heading your way.
Georgia
William and Ava take the lead again in Georgia. Fun fact: William originally became popular in 1066 after the Norman conquest of England. That’s a lot of years.
Hawaii
Emma and Liam, for yet another time, have dominated Hawaii in terms of baby name options. Perhaps the rise of Emma comes from Queen Emma of Hawaii from 1856 to 1863?
Idaho
Emma is champion again, but a new one is revealed—Oliver. Similar to Olivia, Oliver means “olive tree” in Latin. It was revived in the 19th century, inspired by Oliver Twist (and seems to have lasted!).
Illinois
Much like Caffè Olivia on Ohio Street Beach in Chicago, the name Olivia brings positive vibes to the city and wins the top spot as most popular female name. (Chicago summers along the beach are glorious.) Noah is a winner for boys.
Indiana
Indiana copied Idaho, with both Emma and Oliver being the top baby names.
Iowa
Oliver gets another award, but Harper pops out as top female name in Iowa. It came to fame from author Harper Lee. Actor Neil Patrick Harris loved it so much he named his own daughter Harper back in 2010.
Kansas
Well, Idaho definitely can’t hold a grudge against Indiana, as Kansas also followed in their footsteps. Oliver is the top male name and Emma as the winner for baby girls.
Kentucky
Jane Austen was on to something when she wrote Emma, as it’s yet again the leading baby name for girls. And no shocker, but William is voted top baby boy’s name, as well.
Louisiana
Liam and Olivia are again voted most popular for Louisiana.
Maine
Oliver is the champ again but Charlotte becomes the top baby name for girls in Maine this year. We know which baby’s book those little Charlottes will be reading first—Charlotte’s Web.
Maryland
Ava and Liam still haven’t gotten old in Maryland, as both are super popular here, too.
Massachusetts
Emma is the top name for girls, but a new one makes its mark—Benjamin. Perhaps Benjamin Franklin, the officially designated inventor of Massachusetts in 2006, had something to do with that one.
Michigan
You can probably guess this one: Emma and Liam take another state.
Minnesota
Get this—Olivia is the top name for girls and Oliver is the champ for boys.
Mississippi
Let’s give a shout out for Ava and William. The second-ranked male name was John, which is a new one to rank within the top three, so it definitely deserves recognition.
Missouri
William and Olivia strike again. William is so popular that there’s a school, Williams Woods University, in Missouri.
Montana
Montana lists Olivia and James as winners, but let’s mention Wyatt, a new boy’s name that ranked number 4 in popularity. That’s original!
Nebraska
No surprises, but Emma and Oliver take the top spots. The third most popular name was Amelia, though, which is a different one on the list.
Nevada
Yup, Emma and Liam crushing it again. The second most popular girls’ name was Mia though. Just think of those little girls looking up to Mia from The Princess Diaries!
New Hampshire
The most popular boys’ name is Logan, while Charlotte is the girls’. New Hampshire got a little creative though, as a few other male names include Mason, Henry, and Owen hit the top of the list.
New Jersey
As much as we’d love some more Snooki’s in the world, New Jersey went for the more common Emma and Liam.
New Mexico
So, top male name is Noah, but the runner up is Santiago. As for girls, there will be a few more Mia’s in New Mexico in the coming years.
New York
While New Yorkers typically like to stand out, the wildly popular Olivia and Liam take another victory here.
North Carolina
William and Ava win!
North Dakota
Oliver and Emma rank as the two most popular baby names, with Henry and Harper coming in second place, respectively.
Ohio
The top male name is Liam, but a new one cracks the list in the runner up spot, Carter. As for most popular girls’ name, Emma comes out on top.
Oklahoma
For this year, William and Emma are still going strong. This dynamic duo is tough to beat.
Oregon
Emma and Oliver get another victory. The third most popular girls’ name happens to be Sophia, which means “wisdom” in Greek.
Pennsylvania
No real surprise here: Liam and Emma are the two winners for this year.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is switching things up! Charlotte is the top female name, but Lucas is brand new and won as the most popular baby boy’s name. If you ever watched One Tree Hill, you’ll get why Lucas is so desirable.
South Carolina
Back to the norm, William and Ava are pretty popular in South Carolina.
South Dakota
Emma and Oliver are working their magic over in South Dakota. They came out as the two most popular names.
Tennessee
William and Ava are ruling the south! They won again as the two top choices for new babies.
Texas
Texas didn’t stray from what’s on trend, either. They picked Emma and Noah as top baby names for the year.
Utah
Love it—another Olivia and Oliver pairing.
Virginia
Olivia gets another high score as the top female choice, and Liam comes in again at number one.
Vermont
Vermont is thinking outside the box! They picked Evelyn for a girl and Wyatt for a boy as the two top names last year.
Washington
Washington is going back to the basics with an Olivia and Liam result.
West Virginia
It's Emma and Liam, yet again!
Wisconsin
Emma wins again for the girls, but Wisconsin boys prefer something different: Henry won as the most popular male baby name.
Wyoming
Liam and Emma are doing their thing in Wyoming. There were 30 new males and 35 new females born with those names this year.
Chances are you'll be meeting a LOT of little Liams and Olivias.