{"id":2631,"date":"2026-05-24T16:27:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T16:27:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/?p=2631"},"modified":"2026-05-29T14:43:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T14:43:36","slug":"top-names-in-each-state-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/top-names-in-each-state-revealed\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Names in Each State Revealed: The Baby Names Winning Across America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I always like the state-by-state baby name list more than the national Top 10. The national list tells you what America picked. The state list tells you where a name feels especially at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest state-level baby name data shows a country still deeply in love with soft classics, vintage revivals, and short, friendly names that feel easy to say in real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Top Baby Names in Each State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
State<\/th>Top Girl Name<\/th>Top Boy Name<\/th>Name Note<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Alabama<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>John<\/td>John feels wonderfully direct here. No trend-chasing, just a strong classic.<\/td><\/tr>
Alaska<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Noah<\/td>Charlotte and Noah make a balanced pair: polished, biblical, familiar.<\/td><\/tr>
Arizona<\/td>Olivia<\/td>Liam<\/td>Very national-feeling choices, but still soft and sunny together.<\/td><\/tr>
Arkansas<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Liam<\/td>Charlotte adds a little old-South elegance beside modern favorite Liam.<\/td><\/tr>
California<\/td>Olivia<\/td>Liam<\/td>California stays close to the national favorites, with a lively multicultural feel in the wider list.<\/td><\/tr>
Colorado<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Liam<\/td>A clean, mainstream pairing with plenty of mountain-state polish.<\/td><\/tr>
Connecticut<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Noah<\/td>This feels very Northeast: tailored, classic, not fussy.<\/td><\/tr>
Delaware<\/td>Mia<\/td>Noah<\/td>Mia gives Delaware\u2019s list a warmer, shorter sound than Charlotte-heavy states.<\/td><\/tr>
District of Columbia<\/td>Emma<\/td>Noah<\/td>Emma and Noah are both gentle, highly familiar, and hard to mispronounce.<\/td><\/tr>
Florida<\/td>Olivia<\/td>Liam<\/td>Florida keeps the national favorites, but names like Mia and Lucas add extra brightness.<\/td><\/tr>
Georgia<\/td>Amelia<\/td>Liam<\/td>Amelia has quietly become one of the strongest Southern girl names.<\/td><\/tr>
Hawaii<\/td>Isla<\/td>Elijah<\/td>Isla, pronounced EYE-luh, feels especially fitting here, though some people may first read it as \u201cIz-la.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
Idaho<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Charlotte and Oliver both have storybook charm, but not in a costume-y way.<\/td><\/tr>
Illinois<\/td>Olivia<\/td>Liam<\/td>A big-state list that mirrors national taste pretty closely.<\/td><\/tr>
Indiana<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>This pair feels soft, traditional, and very wearable.<\/td><\/tr>
Iowa<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Iowa\u2019s top names lean cozy-classic rather than flashy.<\/td><\/tr>
Kansas<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Theodore<\/td>Theodore gives Kansas a more vintage boy-name edge. Theo is sleek, while Teddy is warmer.<\/td><\/tr>
Kentucky<\/td>Amelia<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Amelia and Oliver sound literary without feeling too polished for everyday life.<\/td><\/tr>
Louisiana<\/td>Amelia<\/td>Noah<\/td>Amelia has a romantic softness that works beautifully beside Louisiana\u2019s naming style.<\/td><\/tr>
Maine<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Theodore<\/td>Maine\u2019s list feels cottagey in the best way: Charlotte, Amelia, Eleanor, Violet, Theodore.<\/td><\/tr>
Maryland<\/td>Ailany<\/td>Liam<\/td>Ailany is the standout. Pronunciation may vary, but eye-LAH-nee is a helpful cue.<\/td><\/tr>
Massachusetts<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Noah<\/td>Very classic, very current, and very hard to argue with.<\/td><\/tr>
Michigan<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Theodore<\/td>Michigan\u2019s top pair has serious vintage energy, but both names still feel fresh on babies.<\/td><\/tr>
Minnesota<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Theodore<\/td>Minnesota is leaning hard into gentle old-fashioned names.<\/td><\/tr>
Mississippi<\/td>Amelia<\/td>James<\/td>This might be one of my favorite pairings on the map. Amelia and James feel traditional, but not stiff.<\/td><\/tr>
Missouri<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Charlotte and Oliver have the same polished storybook rhythm.<\/td><\/tr>
Montana<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Lucy, Lainey, Nora, Henry, and Hudson give Montana\u2019s broader list a warmer, outdoorsy feel.<\/td><\/tr>
Nebraska<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Liam<\/td>Charlotte and Liam are safe in a good way: familiar, easy, and widely liked.<\/td><\/tr>
Nevada<\/td>Olivia<\/td>Liam<\/td>Nevada\u2019s wider list has a strong multicultural feel, with names like Mia, Isabella, Mateo, and Santiago.<\/td><\/tr>
New Hampshire<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Theodore<\/td>Maeve appearing high gives this state list a stylish, slightly literary twist.<\/td><\/tr>
New Jersey<\/td>Emma<\/td>Liam<\/td>Emma feels especially at home beside Mia, Olivia, Sophia, and Isabella.<\/td><\/tr>
New Mexico<\/td>Mia<\/td>Noah<\/td>Mia and Noah are short, warm, and cross-cultural.<\/td><\/tr>
New York<\/td>Emma<\/td>Noah<\/td>New York\u2019s list feels traditional but not sleepy.<\/td><\/tr>
North Carolina<\/td>Amelia<\/td>Noah<\/td>Amelia continues its Southern strength here, paired with steady, biblical Noah.<\/td><\/tr>
North Dakota<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Liam<\/td>Lainey ranking high gives this list a sweet country-pop sparkle.<\/td><\/tr>
Ohio<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>A very modern-classic state pairing. Nothing shocking, but both names are genuinely handsome.<\/td><\/tr>
Oklahoma<\/td>Olivia<\/td>Liam<\/td>Olivia and Liam still have serious staying power in the middle of the country.<\/td><\/tr>
Oregon<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Oregon\u2019s top names are softer and more vintage than you might expect.<\/td><\/tr>
Pennsylvania<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Noah<\/td>This list has a strong classic core: Charlotte, Sophia, Olivia, Amelia, Emma, Noah, Liam, Theodore.<\/td><\/tr>
Rhode Island<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Noah<\/td>Small state, very polished taste. Luca appearing high adds a nice Italian note.<\/td><\/tr>
South Carolina<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Noah<\/td>Charlotte feels especially natural in the Carolinas, maybe because it reads both graceful and grounded.<\/td><\/tr>
South Dakota<\/td>Lainey<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Lainey is one of the most personality-filled girl winners. It feels casual, sunny, and very now.<\/td><\/tr>
Tennessee<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Noah<\/td>Tennessee\u2019s top names lean familiar, with no wild swings at number one.<\/td><\/tr>
Texas<\/td>Emma<\/td>Liam<\/td>Texas is always interesting because Spanish-friendly favorites sit right beside Liam and Noah.<\/td><\/tr>
Utah<\/td>Emma<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Lucy and Jack also ranking high gives Utah\u2019s list a bright, nickname-friendly style.<\/td><\/tr>
Vermont<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Vermont\u2019s list may be the coziest: Charlotte, Evelyn, Eleanor, Nora, Oliver, Theodore, Henry, Cooper.<\/td><\/tr>
Virginia<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Liam<\/td>A classic Southern-meets-national pairing.<\/td><\/tr>
Washington<\/td>Olivia<\/td>Noah<\/td>Washington goes with smooth, high-ranking national favorites.<\/td><\/tr>
West Virginia<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Waylon<\/td>Waylon is the big boy-name surprise. It has country music roots and a rugged, surname-style feel.<\/td><\/tr>
Wisconsin<\/td>Charlotte<\/td>Oliver<\/td>Wisconsin loves the vintage set: Charlotte, Eleanor, Sophia, Evelyn, Oliver, Theodore, Henry.<\/td><\/tr>
Wyoming<\/td>Aurora<\/td>Theodore<\/td>Aurora and Theodore are dramatic in a good way. Aurora may need a pronunciation cue for little kids: uh-ROAR-uh.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Girl Names That Ruled the State Lists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Charlotte<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Charlotte is the name of the year at the state level. Pronounced SHAR-luht, it has French roots and a royal, literary feel, but it is not too precious. Charlie and Lottie give it two very different nickname moods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think Charlotte works because it lets parents have it both ways: formal birth certificate name, friendly everyday nickname.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Charlotte Mae, Charlotte Elise, Charlotte June
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Henry, Eleanor, Theodore, Lucy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Olivia is still one of America\u2019s strongest girl names. Pronounced oh-LIV-ee-uh, it has Shakespearean roots and that liquid V sound parents have loved for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The honest warning: Olivia is popular enough that your child may meet another Olivia in class. That does not make it a bad name. It just means parents should choose it because they truly love it, not because it feels rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Olivia Claire, Olivia Simone, Olivia Jane
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Livia, Alivia, Olive, Viola<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amelia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Amelia, pronounced uh-MEEL-yuh, has become a Southern favorite and a national classic at the same time. It feels vintage, capable, and warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve always liked that Amelia sounds gentle but has a built-in adventurous streak thanks to Amelia Earhart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Amelia Rose, Amelia Kate, Amelia Josephine
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Clara, Henry, Alice, Theodore<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Emma is short, clear, and nearly impossible to spell wrong. Pronounced EM-uh, it has Germanic roots and a long literary history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some parents avoid it because it has been popular for so long, but that is also the point. Emma is not trendy in the quick-burn sense. It has become part of the modern classic set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Emma Caroline, Emma Violet, Emma Louise
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Gemma, Ella, Emilia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mia, pronounced MEE-uh, is one of the strongest short girl names in the U.S. It works across languages, feels warm rather than plain, and pairs easily with longer surnames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia can come from Maria, but many parents now use it as a standalone name. Fair warning: because it is so short, it can sound abrupt with a one-syllable last name. Mia Rose Smith may feel a little clipped, while Mia Josephine Smith has more shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Mia Celeste, Mia Juliette, Mia Noelle
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Leo, Sofia, Luca, Elena<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ailany<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ailany is one of the most eye-catching girl winners on the state map. Pronunciation may differ by family, but eye-LAH-nee is a helpful likely guide. It sits near names like Ailani, Leilani, and Naylani, all part of the flowing, vowel-rich style that has been rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This one looks pretty on paper, but I would give people a pronunciation cue early. Ailany may be read as AY-luh-nee, eye-LAN-ee, or eye-LAH-nee depending on the reader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Ailany Rose, Ailany Sofia, Ailany Mae
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Ailani, Leilani, Alani, Naylani<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lainey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lainey, pronounced LAY-nee, has a bright, country-pop feel, especially with singer Lainey Wilson making the name more visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can stand alone, though some parents may prefer Elaine, Delaney, or Elaina on the birth certificate with Lainey as the everyday name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Lainey Kate, Lainey Brooke, Lainey June
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Laney, Delaney, Elaina, Lacey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isla<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isla is pronounced EYE-luh. The spelling is Scottish, and the silent S still trips people up in English-speaking areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love Isla, but I would not choose it without accepting a few corrections. Once people learn it, though, it tends to stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Isla Maeve, Isla June, Isla Noelle
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Ayla, Ila, Lila, Iris<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aurora<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aurora is one of the most dramatic girl winners. Pronounced uh-ROAR-uh, it comes from the Roman goddess of dawn and also brings in the northern lights connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only practical issue is mouthfeel. Some children may find Aurora tricky to say at first. Rory is a cute nickname if you want something easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Aurora Jane, Aurora Celeste, Aurora Mae
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Orion, Luna, Theodore, Violet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Boy Names That Ruled the State Lists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Liam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Liam is still one of the strongest boy names in America. Pronounced LEE-um, it began as an Irish short form of William and now feels fully independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some parents worry Liam is too common, and that is fair. But it is popular for a reason: it is short, strong, gentle, and works with almost any surname.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Liam Alexander, Liam Brooks, Liam Theodore
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Leo, Luca, Ian, Callum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Noah, pronounced NOH-uh, is one of the softest long-running boy favorites. It is biblical, familiar, and easy to use across many communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like Noah because it does not need a nickname. It already feels complete. The downside is popularity, especially in states where it ranks first or near first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Noah James, Noah Elias, Noah Bennett
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Emma, Levi, Grace, Jonah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oliver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oliver, pronounced AH-liv-er, has become the friendly vintage boy name parents keep returning to. It has literary charm, the easy nickname Ollie, and a softer sound than many traditional boy names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oliver pairs especially well with short middle names because the first name already has three syllables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Oliver Jack, Oliver Miles, Oliver Reid
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Oscar, Arthur, Everett, Felix<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theodore<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Theodore is the vintage comeback king. Pronounced THEE-uh-dor, it means \u201cgift of God\u201d from Greek roots. Theo feels sleek and modern, while Teddy feels warm and old-soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of those names where the nickname can change the whole vibe. Theo is city-smart. Teddy is cuddly. Theodore in full is grand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Theodore James, Theodore Grant, Theodore Ellis
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Charlotte, Henry, Eleanor, Alice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

John feels wonderfully direct now. Pronounced JAHN, it is one of the simplest classics, and that simplicity almost makes it feel bold again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John does not perform. It just stands there, steady and clean. I would pair it with a more distinctive middle if the surname is common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> John Everett, John Silas, John Theodore
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Jack, Jude, James, Joel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

James, pronounced JAYMZ, is royal, biblical, literary, and still very usable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James has also become more common as a middle name for girls, but it remains one of the strongest boy first names. Jim and Jimmy feel retro; Jamie feels softer and more unisex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> James Wilder, James Henry, James Elliott
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Amelia, William, Clara, Margaret<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elijah, pronounced ee-LY-juh, has Hebrew roots and a warm biblical sound. It feels more lyrical than John or James but still grounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nickname Eli is a major bonus. It makes Elijah feel approachable from toddler years to adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Elijah Kai, Elijah James, Elijah Mateo
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Elias, Eli, Isaiah, Josiah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waylon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Waylon is one of the boldest boy winners on the map. Pronounced WAY-lun, it has country music ties through Waylon Jennings and fits the rugged surname-name trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fair warning: Waylon has a very specific style. If you love polished classics like Theodore and Henry, Waylon may feel too cowboy. But if you like Wyatt, Weston, Brooks, and Hudson, it probably lands perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Waylon James, Waylon Reed, Waylon Thomas
Sibling ideas:<\/strong> Lainey, Wyatt, Harper, Beau<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mateo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mateo appears strongly in several Southwest and big-state lists. Pronounced mah-TAY-oh, it is the Spanish and Italian form of Matthew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mateo is one of the best examples of a name that feels international but still easy for English speakers. It has warmth, rhythm, and style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Mateo Cruz, Mateo James, Mateo Elias
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Matteo, Matias, Santiago, Luca<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santiago<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Santiago, pronounced sahn-tee-AH-go, is the Spanish form of Saint James and carries a rich place-name and pilgrimage history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This one has presence. I would pair it with a short middle name unless the surname is very brief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good middle name ideas:<\/strong> Santiago Lee, Santiago Cruz, Santiago Jude
Sounds like alternatives:<\/strong> Diego, Mateo, Sebastian, Thiago<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What This Says About Baby Name Style Right Now<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The state lists are not full of shocking names. That is the interesting part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents are choosing names that feel safe, but not flat. Charlotte, Amelia, Oliver, Theodore, Noah, Henry, Emma, and James all have history behind them. The newer-feeling names, like Ailany, Lainey, Mateo, Santiago, and Waylon, bring in regional flavor, cultural identity, or a more casual sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big pattern is not \u201ceveryone wants unique names.\u201d It is more specific than that. Parents seem to want names that feel recognizable but personally meaningful. A name can be popular nationally and still feel exactly right in one family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I always like the state-by-state baby name list more than the national Top 10. The national list tells you what America picked.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2697,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"lfe_reviewer":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-names"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2631"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2631\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2698,"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2631\/revisions\/2698"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ponly.com\/name\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}