Let’s talk about the most popular Arizona baby names!
The 48th state – and final contiguous state – to join the US, Arizona sits in the American Southwest, between California and New Mexico, sharing a southern border with Mexico. It also touches Nevada, Colorado, and Utah.
Arizona ranks 14th in terms of population, but sixth in terms of territory. That seems fitting for the Grand Canyon State. Oh yes – it’s home to Grand Canyon National Park.
The area was settled 10,000 to 15,000 years ago during the Paleo-Indian period. The Navajo Nation remains a significant presence in the state, along with more than 20 more federally-recognized tribes.
Eons of civilizations flourished before the first European explorers arrived in 1539.
Those early explorers were Spanish. Even today, close to 1/3 of the Arizona population identifies as Hispanic. Just like in California and Texas, the influence of Spanish language is clearly reflected in the most popular baby names.
Arizona is known for its deserts, but also for ski resorts. Phoenix is now the fifth-largest city in the US, as the Sun Belt continues to attract residents.
ARIZONA AS A BABY NAME
Plenty of US states have been used as given names. Some, like Georgia and Carolina, started out as personal names first.
Way back in 1880, when US popularity data is first reported, some girls were named Arizona. That’s long before the territory became a state in 1912. A handful of boys also answer to Arizona, beginning in the 1920s, but the numbers have always given this one to the girls.
There are two theories for the origin and meaning of the name:
- The Spanish took the name from an indigenous phrase meaning “small spring.” The Tohono Oʼodham people still call a small area alĭ ṣonak. The Spanish heard it as Arizona, more or less.
- In Basque, the phrase haritz ona means “the good oak.” Many Mexicans of Basque descent lived in the area during the 1700s. A small settlement named Arizona apparently traces its name to this origin.
Abraham Lincoln signed the bill establishing the Arizona Territory in 1863, and despite other contenders, the name stuck.
Smash hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy introduced us to character Arizona Robbins in 2009, as part of the show’s fifth season. How did the character explain her name? Arizona was named for the battleship on which her grandfather served. She quickly became a fan favorite, appearing for ten seasons.The baby name Arizona rose in popularity, peaking in 2020 with 152 births.
As of 2024, 109 girls and 8 boys were named Arizona.
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN ARIZONA
10. EZRA (#13 in the US)
Just slightly ahead of national averages, Ezra breaks into the Top Ten popular names for boys in Arizona.
9. ELIAS (#25 in the US)
This is a strong over-performance for Elias.
8. JULIAN (#30 in the US)
Another name far more popular here than elsewhere.
7. ELIJAH (#8 in the US)
The first name that closely mirrors national trends.
6. SEBASTIAN (#14 in the US)
This name’s popularity across English-Spanish households likely explains its rise into the Top Ten.
5. SANTIAGO (#29 in the US)
Another traditional Spanish name, Santiago honors Saint James. It breaks into the Arizona Top Ten, while James retreats.
4. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
The remainder of the Arizona Top Ten is pretty close to the US-wide charts.
3. MATEO (#7 in the US)
One exception: Mateo rises to #3, again reflecting Spanish-English crossover trends.
2. NOAH (#2 in the US)
We tend to describe Noah as a Biblical boy name, and that’s absolutely true – but it’s also a Top Ten pick for Spanish speakers.
1. LIAM (#1 in the US)
Just like think of Noah as Biblical, we imagine Liam’s success is due to the name’s Irish roots. That’s partially true. But once again, Liam ranks near the top of favorites for Spanish-speaking parents in the US.
TOP 100 ARIZONA BOY NAMES
- Liam
- Noah
- Mateo
- Oliver
- Santiago
- Sebastian
- Elijah
- Julian
- Elias
- Ezra
- Theodore
- Benjamin
- James
- Levi
- Daniel
- Ezekiel
- Alexander
- Leo
- Luca
- Angel
- Henry
- Jose
- Samuel
- Adriel*
- Hudson
- William
- Emiliano*
- Jesus*
- Gabriel
- Michael
- Gael
- Anthony
- Miles
- David
- Lucas
- Luke
- Maverick
- Luis*
- Damian*
- Jack
- Leonardo
- Aiden
- Wyatt
- Adrian
- Asher
- Dylan
- Enzo
- Jacob
- Joseph
- Isaiah
- Carter
- Isaac
- Josiah
- Caleb
- Logan
- Mason
- Owen
- Ethan
- Roman
- Matthew
- Emilio*
- Carlos*
- Xavier*
- Grayson
- Axel
- Cooper
- Giovanni*
- Jackson
- Kai
- Aaron
- Wesley
- John
- Joshua
- Lorenzo*
- Thomas
- Alejandro*
- Juan*
- Diego
- Jonathan
- Thiago
- Dominic
- Luka
- Cameron
- Ian
- Weston
- Ivan*
- Christian
- Christopher
- Jayden
- Andres*
- Rowan
- Beau
- Jaziel*
- Andrew
- Matteo*
- Brooks
- Micah
- Nathan
- Easton*
- Eli
* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN ARIZONA
10. LUNA (#13 in the US)
The girls’ list mirrors the national stats pretty closely, but Spanish-influenced night sky name Luna sneaks into the Arizona Top Ten.
9. SOFIA (#10 in the US)
A favored spelling of Sophia in several European languages, including Spanish, is popular everywhere.
8. CHARLOTTE (#4 in the US)
Classic Charlotte slips just a bit in the Grand Canyon state.
7. CAMILA (#11 in the US)
The new Isabella.
6. MIA (#5 in the US)
A long-time favorite mini name, big in romance languages and beyond.
5. AMELIA (#4 in the US)
A lovely classic, and a Top Ten nearly everywhere.
4. SOPHIA (#6 in the US)
No surprises – Sophia’s rank in the state is close to the national average.
3. ISABELLA (#7 in the US)
Isabella slightly outperforms in Arizona, again due to Spanish influence.
2. EMMA (#2 in the US)
The top two names in the US are the same in the state.
1. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
Everybody loves Olivia.
TOP 100 ARIZONA GIRL NAMES
- Olivia
- Emma
- Isabella
- Sophia
- Amelia
- Mia
- Camila
- Charlotte
- Sofia
- Luna
- Evelyn
- Aurora
- Aria
- Violet
- Gianna
- Ava
- Penelope
- Eliana
- Hazel
- Elena
- Valentina
- Mila
- Ellie
- Layla
- Lily
- Harper
- Victoria
- Emilia
- Maria
- Scarlett
- Emily
- Ivy
- Leilani
- Chloe
- Delilah
- Eleanor
- Elizabeth
- Nora
- Avery
- Nova
- Abigail
- Ella
- Natalia
- Genesis
- Daisy
- Liliana
- Madison
- Grace
- Maya
- Zoe
- Athena
- Isla
- Lainey
- Leah
- Naomi
- Ximena*
- Adeline
- Iris
- Lucy
- Riley
- Zoey
- Emery
- Willow
- Lyla
- Catalina*
- Jade
- Melody
- Ruby
- Stella
- Ana*
- Aaliyah
- Ariana*
- Ember*
- Natalie
- Kennedy
- Paisley
- Alice
- Lucia
- Alaia*
- Allison
- Audrey
- Brielle*
- Addison
- Anastasia*
- Evangeline*
- Samantha*
- Nevaeh*
- Ailany*
- Elliana*
- Millie
- Everly
- Juliette*
- Hannah
- Josephine
- Amaya*
- Ayla
- Clara
- Sarah
- Alina*
- Juniper*
* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE ARIZONA PLACE NAMES
Flagstaff is a non-starter, and Tucson is more of an SUV than a baby name. But the state’s map includes some favorites.
GILBERT
Medieval given name turned surname name and an Arizona city.
PHOENIX
The name of a mythological creature that rises from its own ashes, the city of Phoenix was named in homage.
SEDONA
A city known for its natural beauty, the name comes from Sedona Schenbly. An early pioneer who helped establish the community, her name was invented by her mother.
SONORA
The Sonoran Desert stretches from Mexico into California and Arizona. Several theories account for the name Sonora. One suggests that it’s a corruption of Nuestra Señora – Our Lady, a nod to the Virgin Mary.
WINSLOW
A tiny town, Winslow was made famous by a lyric in the Eagles’ hit song “Take it Easy.” A mural inspired by the line Well, I’m a-standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and such a fine sight to see …” debuted in 1999 in the downtown area.
NAMES FROM ARIZONA HISTORY & SYMBOLS
CANYON
As in the Grand.
COPPER
During the 19th century, silver and gold were mined in the state, but copper proved the most siginificant of all.
LOWELL
As in the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, established in 1894. Among the site’s claims to fame: Pluto was discovered here.
WREN
The state’s official bird is the cactus wren.
FAMOUS ARIZONANS
ALICE
Born Vincent, the musician Alice Cooper started out life in sunny Phoenix.
BUSY
As in actress Busy Philipps – birth name Elizabeth.
EMMA
Actress Emma Stone hails from Arizona.
J’AIME
A professional dancer, ballerina J’aime Crandall grew up in Arizona but became a principal dancer with Royal Danish Ballet. Her name comes from the French phrase “I love.”
LALO
Born in Arizona in 1916, Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero is remembered as the Father of Chicano Music.
REX
As in Rex Allen, the singing cowboy made famous as a narrator of Disney nature documentaries.
SAVANNAH
Her name says Georgia, but Savannah Guthrie grew up in Arizona.
STEVIE
Phoenix-born Stephanie Lynn Nicks is a music legend as Stevie Nicks.
WYATT
Arizona’s Wild West era includes many memorable figures. Lawman Wyatt Earp’s name is among the most familiar – and popular with children today.
