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Baby name trends can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including pop culture, celebrities, historical events, immigration patterns, and cultural shifts. These factors contribute to the rich tapestry of names that have graced generations of Americans across the country.
While certain names trended nationally, regional variations persisted due to cultural, ethnic, and linguistic factors unique to each state. For example, states with larger Hispanic populations might have had more Spanish-influenced names in their top rankings.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps track of historical data on baby names by state and year, and here’s a brief summary of how the top baby boy names in U.S. states have changed over time.
Earlier 20th Century (1900s – 1950s): During this period, traditional names were often popular across most states. Names like John, William, James, and Robert were consistently popular choices. Regional variations might have occurred due to cultural influences and local trends.
Mid-20th Century (1960s – 1970s): The mid-century saw the rise of more varied name choices, influenced by pop culture, celebrities, and historical events. Names like Michael, David, and Christopher became widespread. However, there might still have been regional variations reflecting local culture.
Late 20th Century (1980s – 1990s): The late 20th century brought about more diverse influences, resulting in a mix of traditional and contemporary names. Names like Jacob, Matthew, Joshua, and Daniel gained popularity. States might have still exhibited variations due to cultural factors.
Early 21st Century (2000s – early 2020s): This period saw a continuation of diverse naming trends. Names like Liam, Noah, Ethan, and Mason became popular across multiple states. However, some states might have shown stronger preferences for certain names due to cultural and regional factors.
The maps below created by Reddit user BoMcCready show the most popular baby boy names by U.S. state over time.
You can learn more about baby boy names from the following books:
“It just goes to show you, it’s always something”. — Roseanne Roseannadanna.