Indiana’s Top Baby Names: Revealed

When considering the best name for your future baby, looking at the most popular names can help! For starters, it allows you to garner what names will be popular as your child grows up. This is especially helpful if you are trying to give your child a unique name that not many children in their class will have. Additionally, looking at the top baby names may enlighten creativity and help you find the right baby name with the perfect meaning. After all, a name speaks for itself. Below are the top baby names in Indiana as of 2023. 

Indiana's Top Baby Names for Boys

1. Oliver

Oliver has been hovering at the top of the baby boy name list since 2020, and finally, it has made its way to the top of the list, at least in Indiana! 

The meaning of Oliver is “peace” or “kind one.” Typically, the name will give the impression of sweetness or meekness. Oliver has quite a few different origin stories. These stories include coming from Latin origin and the word “olivarious,” meaning olive tree planter. French and Old Norse origin stories also state that Oliver descends from the names “Olivier” and “Aliefr.” Regardless of the origin story, the name Oliver has been around since at least Medieval times when it became popular even then. 

2. Liam

Liam is a top charting boy name that has stood at the front of the list since 2013. While it often varies between the first and third spots, its popularity continues. 

The name Liam has Irish heritage. Additionally, this name means “helmet of will” and “guardian.” With these meanings, it's no wonder the name Liam ignites an image of a protector. 

Liam has often been a nickname for names such as William, yet it stands pretty strong on its own.

3. Theodore

Theodore is a Greek name that means “gift of God,” “gift,” and “divine.” While this name has existed for some time, it gained popularity when President Theodore Roosevelt took office. Since then, it has seen its share of time on the most popular baby name list. 

The origin of Theodore comes from the name “Theodoros” in Greek. When translating the Greek origin of the two combinations theo and doros, you get the definition “gift of God.” While Theodore is primarily a boy's name, a female version of Theodora has the same meaning. 

4. Henry

Henry has slowly reached the top of the list of baby boy names through the 21st century. The last time it was this popular was in the early 1900s. 

Henry means “estate ruler” or “home ruler” and has German heritage. It was a name often used by German royalty, and then it traveled through France and England and became popular amongst royalty in these areas. The modern name Henry comes from the traditional German name “Heimirich,” which was turned into “Heinrich,” and the French version Henry later came about. 

5. Noah

Noah is a name with Biblical roots. It may elicit images of Noah, the animals, and the ark withstanding the rough journey through the great flood. You may also picture Noah Calhoun as he hangs dangerously off a Ferris wheel in The Notebook or Noah Puckerman, the character on the hit television show Glee. Regardless of who you picture when you hear the name Noah, it is a firm name that has been topping the charts since 2009, when it took a spot on the top 10 list. 

Noah means “peace” or “rest,” and it comes from the Hebrew name “Noach.” The connection between the Hebrew words Nach and nuach and the Biblical Noah is strong. God provided rest to Noah and his family during the flood.

Noah can also be gender neutral, with many girls having this name recently. 

6. Elijah

Elijah is a Biblical name meaning “the Lord is my God.” It is an ancient Hebrew name that was popular throughout the Middle Ages and the Protestant church and is still quite popular today. 

Elijah was a Biblical prophet whose life is outlined in the Old Testament books 1 and 2 Kings. This name has been among the top 50 baby boy names since 2001.

7. Hudson

Hudson is an adventurous name that has garnered popularity since 2012. Before then, the name almost completely fell by the wayside in popularity. 

The meaning of Hudson is “son of Hudd,” which takes an English and German surname. The English meaning is also “son of heart, mind, and spirit.”

8. Asher 

Asher is a popular baby boy name of Hebrew heritage with several meanings. These meanings are “abundance.” “happy one,” “blessed,” and “fortunate.” 

Asher is also a Biblical name, a son of Jacob, the eighth to be exact. Additionally, Asher has an Arabic origin. The meaning of this name in Arabic is “knowledgeable,” “wise,” and “lucky.” Asher held a spot in the top 50 baby boy names from the early 2000s until 2019. 

9. Levi

Levi is a Biblical name that has been popular for quite some time in the United States. One reason for this popularity is partly due to the company Levi jeans taking center stage in the 1940s. 

The meaning of Levi is “joined” or “united.” It is of Hebrew origin and can be traced back to one of Jacob's sons in the Bible. 

10. Lincoln

When one hears the name Lincoln, chances are they picture President Abraham Lincoln—a picture of stoic pride and intelligence. 

Lincoln is of old English origin and means “town by the pool.” Lincoln is originally from the Roman town of Lindum Colonia. 

Indiana's Top Baby Names for Boys: 50 Most Popular

1. Oliver 
2. Liam
3. Theodore
4. Henry
5. Noah
6. Elijah
7. Hudson
8. Asher 
9. Levi
10. Lincoln
11. Benjamin
12. William 
13. Owen
14. James
15. Jack 
16. Maverick 
17. Jason 
18. Wyatt 
19. Lucas 
20. Michael
21. Cooper 
22. Carter 
23. Ezra 
24. Jackson 
25. Samuel 
26. Waylon 
27. Daniel 
28. Mason 
29. Leo 
30. Alexander 
31. John 
32. Joseph
33. David 
34. Everett 
35. Gabriel 
36. Isaiah 
37. Isaac 
38. Aiden 
39. Sebastian 
40. Ethan
41. Thomas 
42. Luke
43. Jameson 
44. Elias 
45. Jacob
46. Mateo
47. Weston 
48. Charles 
49. Easton 
50. Brooks

Indiana's Top Baby Names for Girls

1. Charlotte

Charlotte is a French name meaning “petite” or “free man.” This name derives from its male counterpart, Charlot or Charles. 

Charlotte is a popular name amongst royalty and has spiked in recent years, possibly due to the birth of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. More famous people or characters with the name Charlotte include Charlotte from Charlotte's Web, Charlotte Pickles in the show Rugrats, and Charlotte Bronte, a 19th-century English novelist and poet.

2. Amelia

Amelia is a popular girl name that is of Hebrew origin. This name means “to work.” The popularity of the name has existed as early as the 17th century. 

Amelia also has an English variation, Amalia, and has held its spot in the top baby girl names since 2013.

One of the most famous Amelia's is Amelia Earhart, an aviator. However, you may have also heard of Amelia Lily and Amelia Vega. 

3. Olivia

Olivia is an Old English name and variant of the male counterpart Oliver. The Latin meaning of Olivia is “olive branch.” The name takes on the symbolism of peace. 

Several famous faces donne the name Olivia. These include Olivia Newton-John, Olivia Holt, and Olivia Wilde. 

4. Emma

Emma is a German name that has existed since at least the 1000s. It became famous by way of Queen Emma of Normandy when the Norman Conquest was taking place. Additionally, Jane Austen's book Emma helped pave the way for Emma to garner more popularity in the 1800s. 

Emma means “whole” and “universal.” It is a short name that doesn't require a nickname. This name took its spot on the top 20 baby names in 1999 and has since climbed to the top. 

5. Ava

Ava is a sweet and feminine girl's name with several origins and meanings. Variations of Ava have been around for quite some time. Popular faces that carry the name Ava include Ava Gardner, Ava Koci, and Ava Vidal—the Roman Catholic Saint Ava and the daughter of Pepin II of Aquitaine.

The meanings and origin of Ava include: 

Hebrew: “breath” or “life.”

Persian: “sound” or “voice.”

Latin: “bird.”

German: “island,” “desire,” or “water.”

6. Eleanor

Eleanor is an old French name whose origin is quite a mystery. The name itself can be traced back to Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Popular faces with this name include Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor of Sicily, and Eleanor Greenwich. 

While the origin of the name Eleanor is a mystery, it is the consensus that it derives from the French name Alienor. With these origins, it is commonly assumed that Eleanor means “old north,” “shining light,” “sun ray,” or “light-hearted.” 

7. Harper 

Harper is a baby name that became popular in 2015 and has stayed popular. It is traditionally a surname, meaning “harp player” or “person who plays the harp.” In the Middle Ages, surnames were related to traditional occupations.

Harper has literary connections with Harper Lee, who wrote “To Kill A Mockingbird”. This name also has connections to musical talent with Harper Simon.

8. Sophia

Sophia is of Greek origin and means “wisdom” and “wise.” Interestingly, the word Sophia is the literal word in Greek for wisdom, meaning the word existed even before the name Sophia. 

A popular variant of Sophia is Sofia; both of these names have been on the top baby girl list since 2006. 

9. Evelyn

Evelyn can be a gender-neutral name. However, it is very popular as a baby girl name. Evelyn's name originates from Norman French, meaning “desired” and “water.” 

Evelyn is a variant of the name Aveline. This name has been on the top baby names list since 2013.

10. Isabella

Isabella is of Hebrew origin and means “God is my oath.” The name is a variant of the Biblical name Elizabeth and the Latin name Isabel.

Isabella has been on the top 20 baby names list since 2002. Some famous faces include Isabella Tobias, Isabella Hadid, and Isabella Rice.

Indiana's Top Baby Names For Girls: 50 Most Popular

1. Charlotte
2. Amelia
3. Olivia
4. Emma
5. Ava
6. Eleanor
7. Harper
8. Sophia
9. Evelyn
10. Isabella
11. Scarlett 
12. Nova 
13. Mia 
14. Hazel 
15. Willow 
16. Luna 
17. Nora 
18. Violet 
19. Aurora 
20. Avery 
21. Elizabeth 
22. Ellie 
23. Ella 
24. Paisley 
25. Penelope 
26. Layla 
27. Chloe 
28. Lillian 
29. Grace 
30. Addison 
31. Isla 
32. Abigail 
33. Ivy 
34. Emily 
35. Lucy 
36. Ruby 
37. Aria 
38. Caroline 
39. Lily 
40. Gianna 
41. Lydia 
42. Stella 
43. Delilah 
44. Mila 
45. Zoey 
46. Naomi 
47. Natalie 
48. Sofia 
49. Kinsley 
50. Everly 

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Tatiana Katsai/Shutterstock.com.