Parents across the U.S. are turning to familiar place names when choosing what to call their newborns – and one classic name emerged as the clear favorite.
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The study, conducted by children’s books company Tuttle Twins, compared 2024 baby name data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the names of 300 of the most populous cities in the United States. In total, nearly 77,000 babies were given names matching one of the cities.
Charlotte takes the top spot
Big picture view:
Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, ranked as the top city-inspired baby name overall. A total of 12,564 babies received the name in 2024, including 12,552 girls and 12 boys.
Charlotte skyline at sunset. (Credit: Getty Images)
Colorado and Illinois were represented in second place with Aurora, a name shared by cities in both states. There were 6,924 babies named Aurora in 2024, including 6,917 girls and seven boys.
Meanwhile, Jackson ranked third overall and was the most popular city-inspired name for boys. The Mississippi name was given to 6,896 babies, including 6,876 boys and 20 girls.
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Elizabeth, located in New Jersey, took fourth place with 6,883 babies, while Lincoln, Nebraska, ranked fifth with 4,644. Lincoln was particularly popular among boys, with 4,567 boys receiving the name compared with 77 girls.
What they’re saying:
Connor Boyack, the author of the Tuttle Twins books, said four of the top 20 city-inspired baby names came from Texas cities.
“The data shows that four out of the top 20 city-inspired baby names come from Texas cities. This regional concentration suggests state pride plays a significant role in name selection,” Boyack said, adding, “Our analysis of city-inspired baby names reveals how Americans connect with places across the country. Names like Charlotte and Jackson don’t just represent cities, they carry historical significance, regional pride and cultural associations that parents want to connect their children with.”
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Top 10 city-inspired baby names in America
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Aurora, Colorado and Illinois
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Everett, Washington
- Austin, Texas
- Savannah, Georgia
- Tyler, Texas