The post The Most Popular Baby Name in Every State, According to Social Security Data first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
America’s newest baby-name map tells two stories at once: some names are becoming familiar across the country, while others show how much local preferences still shape what parents choose.
According to the latest Social Security Administration data, Olivia and Liam remained the most popular baby names nationally for babies born in 2025. But when the numbers are broken down by state, the picture becomes much more varied. Charlotte stands out as the biggest girls’ name story, while boys’ favorites are divided among several major trends.
The Social Security Administration’s state rankings are based on Social Security card application data for 2025 births. The figures represent recorded names, giving families a snapshot of the names that appeared most often across the country.
Charlotte Takes Center Stage Across the Country
If there is one name that defines the 2025 state map, it is Charlotte.
Charlotte ranked No. 1 for girls in 23 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
That wide reach makes Charlotte the most common state-level girls’ winner in the latest rankings. While national favorites like Olivia, Emma and Amelia remain strong, state-by-state results show that one familiar name has developed a particularly broad appeal.
For families following baby-name trends, the map offers an interesting contrast: a name can feel popular nationwide while still having very different levels of popularity from one place to another.
Boys’ Names Show More Regional Variety
The boys’ list does not have one single state-level story. Instead, several names share the spotlight.
Liam leads boys’ rankings in 15 jurisdictions, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia.
Noah also has a strong regional presence, ranking No. 1 in places including Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington.
Oliver and Theodore add another layer to the picture. Oliver tops the boys’ list in Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin. Theodore leads in Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wyoming.
Together, those results show a country where several classic-sounding names are competing for the top spot depending on the state.
Related: Ava Just Dropped Out of America’s Top 10 Baby Names — Here’s the Name That Replaced It
Some States Chose Names That Stand Apart
While many states followed national patterns, some choices created memorable exceptions.
Hawaii had its own distinct style, with Isla ranking No. 1 for girls and Elijah ranking No. 1 for boys. Other names appearing prominently there included Luna, Luca and Luke.
Maryland also had a standout result. Ailany ranked No. 1 for girls in the state, ahead of Charlotte, Olivia, Mia and Sophia.
South Dakota brought another surprise with Lainey as its top girls’ name. The name also appeared among the top five in North Dakota, Kentucky, Montana and West Virginia.
West Virginia’s boys’ ranking had a unique winner as well: Waylon reached No. 1 in the state and did not lead any other state’s rankings.
Wyoming also had a distinctive choice, with Aurora ranking No. 1 for girls. The name also appeared in Alaska’s girls’ top five.
Familiar Names Still Dominate Girls’ Rankings
Although some states picked less common winners, many of the leading girls’ names remain familiar.
Olivia ranked No. 1 in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma and Washington. Amelia led Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. Emma topped rankings in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Utah, while Mia led Delaware and New Mexico.
The overall pattern suggests that parents across the country continue to choose recognizable names, but local favorites still create noticeable differences from one state to another.
The Map Shows Names Can Change Quickly
Comparing 2024 and 2025 rankings also shows that state favorites are not fixed.
Alabama’s top boys’ name changed from William in 2024 to John in 2025, while Charlotte remained the top girls’ name in both years. Alaska changed both leading names, moving from Oliver and Amelia in 2024 to Noah and Charlotte in 2025. California kept Liam as its top boys’ name, while Olivia became the leading girls’ name after replacing Mia. Colorado also saw a change among girls’ names, with Charlotte moving into the top spot while Liam remained No. 1 for boys.
For parents, families, and anyone curious about naming trends, the latest data offer a simple takeaway: America may share many favorite names, but every state adds its own personality to the list.
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