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.

The US Social Security Administration compiles the most popular names by state. Some local health systems shine a light on popularity in specific areas, like this report on baby name from the eastern side of the state. Baby boys named Bryce and girls called Harper are particularly popular choices thanks to baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies. 

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

10. MICHAEL (#21 in the US)

Michael outperforms national trends in Pennsylvania, as well as neighboring New Jersey.

9. LUCAS (#10 in the US)

Biblical classic big nearly everywhere.

8. COOPER (#27 in the US)

Popular in Pennsylvania, rising even faster than national trends.

7. BENJAMIN (#11 in the US)

Could Benjamin’s bump in popularity be all about Founding Father Ben Franklin? Probably not, but Benjamin is one of the most iconic Pennsylvania baby names.

6. JAMES (#6 in the US)

The Keystone state loves their classics – just like much of America.

5. HENRY (#5 in the US)

Another traditional favorite mirroring national preferences.

4. OLIVER (#3 in the US)

Oliver, too, makes the Top Five here and nearly everywhere.

3. THEODORE (#4 in the US)

Theodore and Oliver swap places, but only by a small margin of births. 

2. LIAM (#1 in the US)

Likewise, Liam and Noah flip-flop the top spots.

1. NOAH (#2 in the US)

Former #1 Noah is still on top in Pennsylvania.

MOST POPULAR PENNSYLVANIAN BOY NAMES

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

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

TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA

10. NORA (#20 in the US)

Nora overperforms in the Keystone state. 

9. AVA (#11 in the US)

Ava stays in the Top Ten by just a small margin here.

8. EVELYN (#8 in the US)

Tailored and traditional Evelyn mirrors national trends.

7. MIA (#6 in the US)

No surprises with Mia ranking about the same as nationally.

6. ISABELLA (#7 in the US)

Isabella, too, comes in at about the same rank in the state as it does across the country.

5. EMMA (#3 in the US)

Emma falls back just a bit.

4. AMELIA (#4 in the US)

Traditional Amelia is a go-to for parents everywhere.

3. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)

Olivia takes a tiny dip in popularity.

2. SOPHIA (#5 in the US)

Sophia overperforms in Pennsylvania. One possible reason: the state claims a high percentage of Italian-Americans across the state, possibly boosting this and other romance language favorites.

1. CHARLOTTE (#2 in the US)

Charlotte rises to the very top spot here.

MOST POPULAR PENNSYLVANIAN GIRL NAMES

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

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

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 and July 2, 2026.