Georgias Top Baby Names, Revealed

Although many states in the U.S. have similar names to the top names across the country, each state is influenced by different things and will have a unique set of popular names. Today, let's take a look at the top ten baby names for boys and girls in Georgia and learn about their meaning, origin, and popularity.

Top 10 Baby Boy Names

Liam

The name Liam came about in a unique way. Liam has Irish origin and is traced back to the Irish taking the name Uliiam and making it William, which was then shortened later into Liam. Liam means “guardian” and dates back to the eighth century. The name then traveled to England in the 11th century and quickly started gaining global popularity.

Liam found its way into the United States during the Irish migration caused by the potato famine. This caused many Irish people to settle in the United States and Canada. In 2013, Liam became very popular and landed on the list of top five names, eventually taking the number one spot in 2017. Since 1880, approximately 275,000 individuals in the U.S. have been given the name Liam.

Noah

The name Noah means “rest” and “comfort.” Its meaning comes from its Hebrew origin, Noach. Although Noah has historically been a boy's name, it has recently evolved into being used as a girl's name and is now viewed as a gender-neutral name.

Although this name is popular in Georgia, it's also popular around the country. Noah has consistently held a place in the list of top 10 names since 2009 and currently holds the number one spot. This historical and ancient name holds lots of significance, which has contributed to its popularity. The name Noah has been given to approximately 453,000 individuals in the United States since 1880.

Elijah

Elijah is another name of Hebrew origin. It dates back to the Old Testament and is derived from the Hebrew phrase El Yah, which means “Jehovah is my God.” The prophet Elijah in the Bible was a prophet known for performing miracles and defending the right to worship God. He is known not just by Christians but by Muslims and Jews as well. Historically, Elijah is a masculine name, but the feminine variations are Eliana and Eliyah.

Elijah has been a popular name for a while as it is an ancient Biblical name, but its popularity really grew when it hit the top 100 names in 1995 and then the top 50 just six years later. In 2010, it broke through the top 20 names and has been in the top 10 names in the United States since 2016. Since 1880, approximately 335,000 individuals in the U.S. have been named Elijah.

William

The name William has roots in German and English heritage. With its believed German origins, the name made its way to England because of William the Conqueror. Originally Wilhelm, this name evolved into William. It carries the powerful meaning of “strong-willed warrior” or “resolute protector.” These meanings come from Wilhelm's breakdown because “wil” means will and desire, and “helm” means helmet and protection.

William has been around for many centuries and has consistently ranked in the top 20 names in the United States since 1990. It actually held a spot in the top 10 names for 75 years straight and continued to perform well, making its way into the top five in 2020. Approximately 4.2 million individuals were named William in the United States, which makes it one of the most used names on this list.

James

With Hebrew roots, James is the variation of the name Yaakov. Yaakov translates to Jacob, and James is the English form of Jacob. The meaning behind this name, “one who takes by the heel” or “supplanter,” comes from the Biblical story of Jacob, who held onto his twin brother's feet during their birth.

James has been a popular name over the years and has stayed in the top 20 names in America for over 100 years. It's a very traditional name which has appealed to many families. Since 1880, approximately 5.2 million individuals in the United States were named James, which ties for the first most used on this list along with John.

Oliver

The name Oliver has a diverse heritage with French, Latin, and English roots. The Normans brought the name to England, but their Norse name was Aleifer. The meaning of this name is “ancestor's descendent.” The French connection to this name is found in the word Olivier which means “olive tree.” The Latin influence is traced back to the word oliva, which means “olive.”

In 1900, Oliver was in the top 100 names ranked at 95th in the United States. Soon after, it did fall out of this list, but many years later, in 2014, not only did it break the top 100 but the top 50 names in America at 32nd most popular. From there, its popularity only continued to rise, and it was among the top five names in 2020. Approximately 210,000 individuals in the U.S. have been named Oliver since 1880.

Asher

Asher has Hebrew origins and means “happy” and “blessed,” which has led to its popularity. It was derived from the word osher which is Hebrew for “happiness.” Asher is also a Biblical name that comes from the Old Testament. Although for most years, it has been used as a boy's name, in recent years, it's been used for both boys and girls and is now often seen as a gender-neutral name.

Asher was not a popular name until it started rising on the charts and hitting the top 1,000 names in 1983. And although it took some time, it broke the top 100 in 2014 and the top 50 in 2019. It is believed to have gained popularity from the TV show Gossip Girl, which had a character named Asher. There was another show called “How To Get Away With Murder” that had a character named Asher Millstone. Since 1880, approximately 80,000 people have been named Asher in the United States.

John

John is a very popular name that has been around for centuries. It is a Biblical name that is very traditional. John is a derivative of the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning “graced by God.” In Greek, Yohanan was translated as Ioannes, and later, in Latin, it was translated to Johannes, which became John in English. Although biblical names tend to be popular, John, in particular, has held popularity as it exudes kindness, smarts, and strength.

In the English-speaking world, John is one of the most popular names. It ties with James at 5.2 million individuals, being named John in the United States since 1880. James held the number one spot for boy names in the U.S. for 23 years starting in 1900 and then stayed in the top five until 1972. It later dropped out of the top 10 but has stayed in the top 50 ever since.

Henry

The name Henry has French and German roots. It was derived from the French name Henri, which was derived from the old German name Heimeric. This name means “house ruler.” Despite these believed roots, Henry's origin has been debated since the most famous person to have the name Henry was King Henry VIII, who was a controversial king of England. The feminine variants of Henry include Henrietta and Harriet.

Henry has been a very popular name in America and Europe. It was so common that it became a part of the saying “every Tom, Dick, and Harry.” In 2007, Henry was in the top 100 names for boys in America, Australia, Wales, and England. It later went on to hit the top 10 names in the United States in 2020. Since 1880, approximately 727,000 individuals in the U.S. have been named Henry.

Levi

Levi has become popular because it's trendy but also because it's traditional. It has Hebrew origin, dating back to the Old Testament, where Levi was the son of Jacob and Leah. It also relates to the Levites, which were the 12 tribes of Israel. This led to the meaning “united” and “joined in harmony.”

The name Levi has been around for a while, popular in the 2000s but not breaking into the top 100 names until 2009. Ever since then, it has been on the rise and gaining popularity. In 2020, it broke into the top 20 names in America. Its popularity in the 2000s is believed to have been linked to actor Matthew McConaughey naming his son Levi in 2008. Since 1880, approximately 177,000 individuals have been named Levi in the United States.

Top 10 Baby Girl Names

Olivia

Olivia's roots are traced back to English and Latin origins. It came about as a derivative of the name Oliver, which, translated in Latin, means “olive tree.” This name became popular in England in the 13th century. There was a play by Shakespeare called The Twelfth Night with a main character named Olivia.

Olivia started gaining widespread popularity around 1990. It was popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Since then, this name stayed popular and on the list of top 100 names in the United States. But it had a huge leap in popularity in 2014 when it was among the top five names. It is believed that this surge was due to the show “Scandal,” which premiered around that time and featured a character named Oliva. Just a few years later, it claimed the number-one spot in 2019 and 2020. Since 1880, approximately 507,000 individuals have been named Olivia in the United States.

Ava

The origin of the name Ava is a bit elusive, leading to a handful of interpretations and believed origins. It is believed to have been a derivative of the German word aval, the Latin word avis, and the Hebrew names Eva and Eve. The German word aval means “guarantee,” the Latin word avis translates to “birdlike,” and the Hebrew names mean “life” or “lively.”

A recently popular name, Ava, gained some attention and traction in the 1950s when the movie star Ava Gardner rose to fame. But, it really rose in popularity in the late 1990s. It is believed to have risen in the ranks because actresses Reese Witherspoon and Heather Locklear named their daughters Ava. Since then, Ava continued to rise and made its way into the top five names in 2016. Approximately 307,000 individuals have been named Ava in America since 1880.

Amelia

The name Amelia finds its roots in Latin as a derivative of the word Amal, which means “work.” But the meaning behind this word does not mean labor. In Latin, it refers to industriousness and fertility. Amelia is recognized as the feminine variation of the names Emmett, Emery, and Emil.

This name started gaining popularity in the 18th century when two kings, King George the Second and Third, both named their daughters Amelia. But, more recently, Amelia experienced a surge in popularity when it broke through to the top 10 most popular names in the United States in 2020. Since 1880, approximately 231,000 individuals have been named Amelia in the United States.

Charlotte

The name Charlotte has English, French, and German origin. It finds its roots in its masculine counterpart which is Charles. Charles is traced back to the old English word “ceorl” which means a free man. Charles is the French version of the German name Carl. Over time, Charlot became a nickname for those named Charles, and out of that, Charlotte was the feminine variation of that nickname.

From 1908 to 1953, Charlotte was popular and in the top 100 names in the United States. After some time out of the stoplight, it reemerged in 2007 and found its way back onto the top 100 names. Seven years later, in 2014, it was in the top 10 names and later in the top five in 2020. In the United States, approximately 402,000 individuals have been named Charlotte since 1880.

Emma

The name Emma has its roots in English, originating from a Germanic word that means “whole” or “universal.” It was very popular in England, and it was believed to have been because of Emma of Normandy, a woman who was married to two English Kings, Cnut the Great and Althelred the Second. It was also popular in the early 1800s due to a Jane Austin novel that was published in 1816 called “Emma.”

Once the name Emma made it over to the United States, it quickly gained and maintained popularity. It was in the top 100 names for 41 years before it started declining. But, in the 1990s, it gained popularity again and even claimed the number two spot in 2003. The rise in popularity is believed to have been influenced by the TV show “Friends” when Rachel and Ross named their baby Emma. In 2007, Emma continued to grow and secured the number-one spot in the United States. Approximately 723,000 individuals in the United States have been named Emma since 1880.

Nova

The name Nova has Latin origins and means “new.” It comes from the Latin word novus. This meaning is actually very fitting for the name as it is a newer name gaining popularity. Nova is also a name that is given to stars that suddenly beam with brightness after exploding. This gives this name special meaning for children destined to make a mark on the world.

Nova first started gaining popularity in the 19th century and experienced a slow rise into the top names. It only made its way into the top 1,000 baby names in the 1930s and then fell off the map until it reappeared again in 2011. Then, in 2017, it was on the top 100 names and made its way to the top 50 most popular names in 2020. Since 1880, approximately 37,000 individuals have been named Nova in the United States.

Sophia

Sophia has Greek origins, signifying “wisdom,” and is associated with beauty, sophistication, and elegance. Its popularity can be traced back to the Greek Orthodox church when they celebrated Saint Sophia. Sophia later became a favored royal name during the Middle Ages in Europe.

Sophia has had enduring popularity and has been consistently ranked among the top 10 names in the United States since 2006. It secured the number-one spot in 2011 and stayed there for three years. It is believed to have gained its popularity because it appeals as a vintage and classic name, which many families have leaned towards. Approximately 390,000 individuals have been named Sophia in the United States since 1880.

Evelyn

The name Evelyn has English roots and was originally a surname. It is the anglicized version of Aveline, a Norman French name. This name has a handful of meanings, including island, desired, life, and hazelnut. Although Evelyn was previously used as a name for boys and girls, in recent years, it has been used more as a feminine name. It's believed this transition was made because it resembles the name Eve. It's also believed to have become more feminine because it's a combination of the two feminine names Eve and Lynne.

Evelyn has been popular in America since the beginning of the 20th century. It was in the top 20 names for 23 years starting in 1907. Then, for about 100 years, it decreased in popularity until it rose again and was in the top 20 names in 2013. Since then, it has continued to climb and was in the top 10 names in the U.S. in 2020. Approximately 605,000 individuals have been named Evelyn in the United States since 1880.

Luna

The name Luna has Latin, Spanish, and Italian origins. In Latin and many other languages, Luna means moon. Luna was the goddess of the moon in ancient Roman mythology. In Roman art, this goddess was often seen being drawn being pulled by a white chariot. The ancient Romans believed that the goddess would shoot an arrow each night and fill the sky with stars.

Luna first appeared on the charts in 2003 and has increasingly grown in popularity over the years. It broke into the top 100 names in 2016 and just three years later into the top 20. Its popularity is believed to be attributed to being a nature-inspired, mythological, and celestial name which are becoming common choices for parents these days. Since 1880, approximately 58,000 individuals have been named Luna in the United States.

Harper

Harper has English roots and has mostly existed as a surname but recently started gaining popularity as a first name in the last 20 years. As a derivative of the word harp, Harper translates to “someone who plays the harp.” A great name choice for musical people. Although Harper has previously been used as a boy name, it is most commonly used femininely.

Harper first made it on the charts in the top 1,000 names in 2004 and has been rising in popularity since. It found its way all the way up on the top 10 names list in 2020. Harper gained its quickest popularity in 2005 when it skipped forward 234 places. It was believed to have gained popularity from the TV shows Gossip Girl, Girl Meets World, Lost, and Wizards of Waverly Place. Since 1880, approximately 115,000 individuals have been named Harper in the United States.

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