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. LIAM (#1 in the US)

This year, the top name in Pennsylvania matches the US national favorite – upbeat, Irish-ish Liam.

2. NOAH (#2 in the US)

Noah falls from the top spot in Pennsylvania to second place, reflecting national trends.

3. OLIVER (#3 in the US)

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

4. THEODORE  (#10 in the US)

A new entry to Pennsylvania’s Top Ten, Theodore is rising rapidly across the US.

5. BENJAMIN (#9 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?

6. JAMES (#4 in the US)

An enduring classic, never out of style.

7. OWEN (#18 in the US)

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

8. LUCAS (#8 in the US)

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

9. HENRY (#7 in the US)

A name both traditional and surprisingly stylish.

10. MICHAEL (#16 in the US)

A long-time #1 name in the US, Michael has fallen in recent generations. But in Pennsylvania, it recently returned to the Top Ten.

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. SOPHIA (#5 in the US)

The same is true for traditional Sophia.

5. AMELIA (#4 in the US)

Amelia lags just slightly behind its national ranking.

6. AVA (#7 in the US)

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

7. ISABELLA (#6 in the US)

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

8. HARPER (#11 in the US)

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

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

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

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 Pennsylvania 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 – winning most of them.

LIBERTY

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

LUCRETIA

As in Lucretia Mott, suffragette 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!