Pennsylvania Baby Names

Let’s look at Pennsylvania baby names.

It’s the fifth most populous state, behind only California, Florida, Texas, and New York.

If you grew up in the United States, chances are you know all about Pennsylvania – at least the eastern part of the state, that played such a pivotal role in the American Revolution. School children and families alike troop past the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Betsy Ross’ house and Benjamin Franklin’s print shop are popular tourist stops, too.

But there’s more to the state than just the colonial landmarks. It stretches to the east, crossed by rivers and mountains, with Harrisburg and Lancaster near the middle and Pittsburgh in the west.

Are the names of this Mid-Atlantic state particularly distinctive? At first glance, the answer is no. But maybe it’s hard to see because there are just so many regions and cities.

If you’re after Pennsylvania baby names with ties to the Keystone State, plenty of options emerge.

First, let’s look at the most popular baby names in Pennsylvania.

TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA

1. NOAH (#2 in the US)

The top two boy names are swapped in Pennsylvania. Of course, Noah was the top name across the nation until recently, so chances are we’ve all heard our fair share of Noah, no matter where we live.

2. LIAM (#1 in the US)

Liam comes in second in Pennsylvania, but not by much. According to the United States Social Security Administration, parents welcomed 650 new Liams, versus 698 new Noahs.

3. BENJAMIN (#7 in the US)

One of Pennsylvania’s most famous sons, Benjamin Franklin was a statesman, inventor, and major figure in early America. Across the state, “Big Ben” Roethlisberger played 18 seasons as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Is it any surprise that this classic name ranks higher here than elsewhere?

4. OLIVER (#3 in the US)

A traditional favorite, well-established in the US Top Ten.

5. OWEN (#22 in the US)

Owen fares far better in Pennsylvania than many places in the US.

6. JAMES (#5 in the US)

An enduring classic, never out of style.

7. LOGAN (#21 in the US)

As with Owen, Logan is far more popular in Pennsylvania than elsewhere.

8. HENRY (#9 in the US)

A name both traditional and surprisingly stylish.

9. LUCAS (#8 in the US)

Popular across much of the English-speaking world, and Europe, too.

10. MASON (#18 in the US)

A former national Top Ten name, Mason remains a chart-topper in the state.

TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA

1. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)

Tops in Pennsylvania, and tops across the US, too.

2. CHARLOTTE (#3 in the US)

Speaking of top names, Charlotte is popular everywhere – and even a bit more common in the state.

3. EMMA (#2 in the US)

A long-time #1 favorite across the country, and still hovering near the top.

4. AVA (#5 in the US)

No surprises here. Powerhouse mini name Ava is a favorite everywhere.

5. SOPHIA (#6 in the US)

The same is true for traditional Sophia.

6. AMELIA (#4 in the US)

Amelia lags just slightly behind its national ranking.

7. HARPER (#10 in the US)

In most of the country, Harper is a literary choice – and very popular. It’s a popular name in Pennsylvania, too – but it’s possibly boosted by Philadelphia Phillies MVP Bryce Harper.

8. ISABELLA (#7 in the US)

Romantic and strong, Isabella ranks in the Top Ten nearly everywhere – and has for years.

9. EVELYN (#9 in the US)

Tailored, vintage Evelyn is a favorite in Pennsylvania, too.

10. MIA (#8 in the US)

Mia fares slightly worse in Pennsylvania, mostly to make space for Harper farther up on the list.

TOP 100 BOY NAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA

Names marked with a * do not appear in the US Top 100.

1. Noah
2. Liam
3. Benjamin
4. Oliver
5. Owen
6. James
7. Logan
8. Henry
9. Lucas
10. Mason
11. Jack
12. Jackson
13. Theodore
14. Elijah
15. John
16. William
17. Michael
18. Wyatt
19. Luca
20. Joseph
21. Carter
22. Jacob
23. Grayson
24. Ethan
25. Levi
26. Daniel
27. Alexander
28. Leo
29. Asher
30. Hudson
31. Thomas
32. Nolan
33. Lincoln
34. Miles
35. Aiden
36. Luke
37. Matthew
38. Samuel
39. Cameron
40. Gabriel
41. David
42. Anthony
43. Caleb
44. Maverick
45. Andrew
46. Isaac
47. Colton
48. Ezra
49. Charles
50. Julian
51. Ryan
52. Connor
53. Chase
54. Joshua
55. Landon
56. Declan*
57. Jaxon
58. Dylan
59. Josiah
60. Wesley
61. Roman
62. Jayden
63. Christopher
64. Elias
65. Nathan
66. Nicholas
67. Robert
68. Brooks
69. Carson
70. Eli
71. Rowan*
72. Bennett
73. Jameson
74. Greyson
75. Hunter
76. Isaiah
77. Sebastian
78. Cole
79. Cooper
80. Austin
81. Everett
82. Beau
83. Parker
84. Weston
85. Dominic
86. Jace*
87. Waylon
88. Jaxson
89. Gavin*
90. Silas
91. Bryson*
92. Mateo
93. Jordan
94. Jeremiah
95. Jonathan
96. Emmett*
97. Kai
98. Christian
99. Evan*
100. Micah*

TOP 100 GIRLS NAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA

Names marked with a * do not appear in the US Top 100.

1. Olivia
2. Charlotte
3. Emma
4. Ava
5. Sophia
6. Amelia
7. Harper
8. Isabella
9. Evelyn
10. Mia
11. Nora
12. Avery
13. Elizabeth
14. Madison
15. Ella
16. Gianna
17. Penelope
18. Willow
19. Riley
20. Aria
21. Ellie
22. Grace
23. Eleanor
24. Isla
25. Scarlett
26. Layla
27. Lily
28. Luna
29. Chloe
30. Aurora
31. Violet
32. Abigail
33. Nova
34. Lillian
35. Hazel
36. Emily
37. Addison
38. Hannah
39. Zoey
40. Quinn
41. Mila
42. Stella
43. Lucy
44. Everly
45. Lydia
46. Natalie
47. Paisley
48. Savannah
49. Josephine
50. Leah
51. Emilia
52. Sadie
53. Cora
54. Sofia
55. Kinsley
56. Claire
57. Peyton
58. Maeve*
59. Anna
60. Ivy
61. Kennedy
62. Autumn
63. Aubrey
64. Gabriella
65. Madelyn
66. Maya
67. Brooklyn
68. Naomi
69. Zoe
70. Eliana
71. Audrey
72. Skylar
73. Vivian
74. Serenity
75. Elena
76. Hailey
77. Sophie
78. Cecilia
79. Delilah
80. Sarah
81. Lyla
82. Mackenzie
83. Caroline
84. Mary*
85. Julia
86. Victoria
87. Clara
88. Sloane*
89. Sienna*
90. Josie*
91. Reagan*
92. Ruby
93. Emery
94. Alice
95. Ayla*
96. Bella
97. Liliana*
98. Everleigh
99. Eva
100. Margaret*
100. (tie) Piper

INSPIRED BY PENNSYLVANIA

BETSY

Betsy Ross sewed the original American flag – or so goes the story. There’s at least one other seamstress with an equally credible claim. But it’s easy to see how this name would be just right for a daughter born in Pennsylvania.

FRANKLIN

Benjamin ranks far higher on the list of Pennsylvania’s most popular boy names than elsewhere in the US. So why not his surname, Franklin, too?

HARRIS

As in Harrisburg, capital of the state. The capital city was named for James Harris, Sr. An immigrant from England, Harris located to the area and operated a ferry across the Susquehanna River, becoming a respected local leader.

INDIE

As in Independence Hall, the building where the Continental Congress ultimately approved the Declaration of Independence.

LIBERTY

The Liberty Bell is an inescapable symbol of the city of Philadelphia, and a symbol of freedom everywhere.

PENN

The state takes its name from William Penn. “Pennsylvania” means “Penn’s Woods.” Born into a prominent family, Penn would use his inheritance to establish the American colony around the ideals of religious tolerance. An adult convert to the Quaker faith, he brokered a deal to bring Quaker immigrants to his newly-established land.

ROCKY

If you know your Rocky movie history, the story begins with a down-on-his-luck prizefighter called Rocky Balboa. One of cinematic history’s most famous training sequences ends with the Italian Stallion finally running to the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s considerable steps.

STEEL

In the west, Pittsburgh is the Steel City, famous for heavy industry.

Do you have any favorite Pennsylvania baby names?