Popular in 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)

Noah holds the top spot in Pennsylvania, diverging slightly from national trends.

2. LIAM (#1 in the US)

Upbeat, Irish-ish Liam comes in second for Pennsylvania baby names, though it’s still on top of the national rankings.

3. OLIVER (#3 in the US)

A traditional favorite, well-established in the US Top Ten and equally big in Pennsylvania.

4. THEODORE  (#4 in the US)

Another match with US data, it’s worth noting that Theodore has risen dramatically in the national statistics, too. Perhaps this reflects trends in high population states like Pennsylvania.

5. HENRY (#6 in the US)

A name both traditional and quite stylish in the 21st century.

6. JAMES (#5 in the US)

An enduring classic, never out of style.

7. LUCAS (#9 in the US)

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

8. BENJAMIN (#11 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 a bit higher here than elsewhere?

9. LEVI (#12 in the US)

An Old Testament favorite rises into the state’s Top Ten.

10. JACK (#15 in the US)

In 2023, Michael made the Pennsylvania Top Ten. This year, it’s Jack. The state’s parents favor strong classics for boys in a way that puts them slightly ahead of the national average – or maybe even pulls the national average up a bit.

TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA

1. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)

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

2. CHARLOTTE (#4 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. SOPHIA (#6 in the US)

The same is true for traditional Sophia.

5. AMELIA (#3 in the US)

Amelia lags just slightly behind its national ranking.

6. MIA (#5 in the US)

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

7. ISABELLA (#7 in the US)

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

8. HARPER (#12 in the US)

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

9. EVELYN (#8 in the US)

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

10. AVA (#9 in the US)

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

TOP 100 BOY NAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA

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

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

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

INSPIRED BY PENNSYLVANIA

AUGUST

For Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, August Wilson. His most famous works include a series of ten plays known as the Pittsburgh Cycle.

BAYARD

Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin often worked behind the scenes. Because he was openly gay, he faced discrimination even within the Civil Rights movement. By the 1980s, he’d also become a gay rights advocate. Today, a high school in his hometown of West Chester is named in his honor.

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.

BILLIE

Born in Philadelphia, legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday puts her adopted name on the list. She was born Eleanora Fagan – another lovely given name, but not nearly as famous.

CALDER

Sculptor Alexander Calder, best known for his mobiles, was born in Philadelphia.

CARSON

Pioneering environmentalist Rachel Carson was born in the western part of the state.

CASSATT

An artist surname name inspired by Pennsylvania native Mary Cassatt.

COLTRANE

For jazz pioneer and long-time Philadelphia resident John Coltrane.

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?

FRED

Born Fred – not Frederick – this Pennsylvania native is known to the world as Mr. Rogers.

GELSEY

Famous ballerina Gelsey Kirkland was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

GRAHAM

For dance pioneer Martha Graham.

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.

HONUS

As in Honus Wagner, legendary baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Hall of Famer. Born outside of the city, his legal name was Johannes, shortened to Hans, before evolving to the name he made famous.

IKE

While military commander turned president Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower was born in Texas and raised in Kansas, his family had deep Pennsylvania roots. He and Mamie maintained a working farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, used as a getaway from Washington DC, as well as a place to entertain world leaders. Today it’s open to visitors as part of the National Park Service.

INDEPENDENCE

A virtue name perfect for children born in the same state as history-making Independence Hall.

INDIE

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

JETT

Pennsylvania’s Joan Jett hasn’t lived in the state since childhood, but she was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, so she makes the list. Or her adopted stage name does. Jett got her first guitar at the age of thirteen, started calling herself Joan Jett, and co-founded The Runaways a few years later before embarking on a solo career.

JONAS

Working at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Jonas Salk developed the world’s first polio vaccine. Hailed as a miracle worker, Salk also became a humanitarian, refusing to profit from his discovery. Polio was all-but eradicated in the following years as a result of his work.

KATE

What’s so Pennsylvania-centric about classic Kate? Ice hockey fans will know the answer. Kate Smith, the First Lady of Radio and a major star during World War II, recorded a famous version of “God Bless America.” It was played before Philadelphia Flyers’ home games. And, in the 1970s, during a series of significant games, Kate Smith herself came in person to perform – and the Flyers won nearly every match.

LIBERTY

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

LUCRETIA

As in Lucretia Mott, suffrage advocate and abolitionist.

NELLIE

Born in 1864, Nellie Bly became a world-changing journalist. Inspired by the fictional Around the World in 80 Days, she completed the journey in just 72. She went undercover in a mental institution, exposing the need for reform. Throughout, she was a tireless advocate for greater opportunity for women.

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.

PHILADELPHIA

It sounds unlikely, and yet, Philadelphia started out as an Old Testament place name, meaning “brotherly love.” It was used in small numbers for years, doubtless borrowed from the Bible. One notable bearer? Philadelphia Austen Hancock, an eighteenth century English socialite and aunt to the famous novelist Jane Austen.

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?

First published on April 6, 2023, this post was revised and re-published on July 20, 2023. Happy Pennsylvania Day! More updates took place on December 10, 2025.