Top Baby Girls Names by U.S. State Over Time
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Websites like the Social Security Administration in the U.S. regularly publish data on baby names by state and year.
Naming trends can vary for a variety of reasons, including cultural influences, celebrities, and historical events. Here are some general trends in baby girl names in the United States:
Early 20th Century: Classic and traditional names like Mary, Dorothy, and Helen were popular across many states. Biblical names were also quite common.
Mid-20th Century: Names like Jennifer, Lisa, and Susan became popular during this era. There was a trend towards shorter, simpler names.
Late 20th Century: More diverse and unique names began to emerge, often influenced by pop culture and famous personalities. Names like Jessica, Ashley, and Emily gained popularity.
21st Century: Parents started to lean towards a mix of traditional and modern names. Names inspired by nature, virtues, and unique spellings became more common. Emma, Olivia, and Sophia became incredibly popular during this time.
Regarding regional variations, some states might have shown different naming preferences due to cultural influences, historical events, and local traditions. For example:
- Southern States: These states might have a preference for classic and timeless names.
- West Coast: Names with a more modern and trendy feel might be popular here.
- Northeast: Urban and multicultural influences might shape naming trends in this region.
Maps below created by Reddit user BoMcCready Most popular baby names by the state over time.
Linda is the trendiest name in U.S. history, based on a measure of both popularity and quick rise and fall.
The name ‘Emma’ peaked in 2003, which is the year the Friends episode aired where Ross and Rachel named their baby Emma. The name is still very popular though.
You can learn more about girl names from the following books:
For other related maps, have a look at:
