Delaware baby names reflect the states’ Mid-Atlantic roots and East Coast energy.
The First State earned its nickname by ratifying the new Constitution earlier than any other state. It’s the second-smallest in size behind only Rhode Island, and 46th in population. That means it only takes a few parents to change the top baby name or push a new choice into the Top 100 most popular names for the state.
After all, in Texas the #1 name Liam was given to 3,084 boys. In Delaware, Liam still dominates the boys’ side, but it only required 74 births to grab the top spot.
The Delaware coast comes to mind for many, with beaches like Bethany and Rehoboth welcoming visitors all summer. But capital city Wilmington is a major center for business, and part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area in neighboring Pennsylvania. Slower, lower Delaware – the southern portion of the state – prides itself on a more rural, relaxed pace of life.
Also worth noting: around 20% of Delaware’s population identifies as black or African American. That’s higher than the national average, and probably explains the over-performance of names like Brielle, Jayce, and Legend that tend to be slightly more popular with families of color.
While Delaware baby names mostly reflect national trends, a few surprises honor the state’s history and culture, too.
WHAT DOES THE NAME DELAWARE MEAN?
Some states have become popular names over the years – Indiana or Dakota – while others were names in the first place, like Georgia or Virginia.
But Delaware isn’t among the most popular baby names. In fact, it’s never appeared in the US Social Security Administration (SSA) data as a given name.
The state’s name derives from the adjacent Delaware Bay, which in turn was named after Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, an English nobleman and the Colony of Virginia’s first colonial-era governor.
As for De La Warr? Translate it as “from Warr.” But Warr’s meaning and origin are obscure, with multiple possible meanings.
Dozens of names happen to contain the element “del.” While that’s probably not a major influence, it’s worth noting that Delaney ranks much higher on the popular girl names list for Delaware than it does for the US overall.
Lastly, while Delaware isn’t used as a baby name, according to the SSA data, as of 2024:
- 518 girls were named Della
- 12 boys were named Del
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN DELAWARE
10. LEO (#24 in the US)
Leo snuck into the state’s Top Ten, outperforming the US average.
9. LUCAS (#9 in the US)
Popular in the US, and big in the First State, too.
8. THEODORE (#4 in the US)
A classic favorite, Theodore is among the most popular boy names in Delaware, though a few paces behind its ranking in the US overall.
7. DYLAN (#28 in the US)
Welsh name Dylan comes from words meaning tide and flow; it’s often translated as “son of the sea.” No surprise that a state known for its coast ranks in the Delaware Top Ten.
6. OWEN (#26 in the US)
Another distinctively Delaware favorite.
5. ELIJAH (#8 in the US)
Big in the US and even popular in the state.
4. JAMES (#5 in the US)
A time-tested classic.
3. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
The top three names on the boys’ side mirror US popularity trends exactly.
2. NOAH (#2 in the US)
Runner-up in the US and in the state, Noah is one of many past top baby names still very popular.
1. LIAM (#1 in the US)
Upbeat Liam is a favorite everywhere.
TOP 100 DELAWARE BOY NAMES
- Liam
- Noah
- Oliver
- James
- Elijah
- Owen
- Dylan
- Theodore
- Lucas
- Leo
- Jackson
- Matthew
- William
- Michael
- Mateo
- Carter
- Henry
- Levi
- Luca
- Charles
- Logan
- Luke
- Alexander
- Anthony
- Cameron
- Joshua
- Josiah
- Maverick
- Aiden
- David
- Elias
- Gabriel
- Axel
- Grayson
- John
- Sebastian
- Wyatt
- Benjamin
- Daniel
- Ethan
- Jack
- Jayden
- Theo
- Aaron
- Andrew
- Caleb
- Dominic
- Enzo
- Jaxson*
- Robert
- Wesley
- Bryson*
- Jeremiah
- Julian
- Landon*
- Legend*
- Mason
- Weston
- Colton
- Cooper
- Ezra
- Joseph
- Lincoln
- Roman
- Samuel
- Asher
- Brooks
- Micah
- Miles
- Thomas
- Amari*
- Gael
- Jayce*
- Jonathan
- Kaiden*
- Nolan
- Silas
- Thiago
- Adrian
- Austin*
- Carson*
- Everett
- Jaxon
- Kevin*
- Milo*
- August
- Bennett
- Chase*
- Christian
- Hudson
- Hunter*
- Isaiah
- Jace*
- Jacob
- Jason*
- Jordan*
- Kai
- Nicholas*
- Angel
- Arlo*
* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN DELAWARE GIRL NAMES
10. AVA (#9 in the US)
A favorite mini name, Ava enjoys Top Ten popularity in Delaware and in the US overall.
9. HARPER (#12 in the US)
Harper is just the tiniest more popular in the First State than nationwide.
8. LUNA (#13 in the US)
One of the biggest influences in naming now? Spanish-speaking families. In states like California or Texas, it sharply defines the list of the names parents consider. Delaware only has about 7% Spanish-speaking, below the US average of around 12%. And yet, Luna’s slight overperformance might reflect that linguistic influence.
7. AMELIA (#3 in the US)
Vintage Amelia lags slightly behind the most trendy names in Delaware.
6. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
The most popular boy names look remarkably similar to the US national charts. But the girls? There’s a definite division, with top name Olivia falling all the way to #6.
5. MIA (#5 in the US)
Top five in the US and in the state as well.
4. ISABELLA (#7 in the US)
Slightly more popular in Delaware than elsewhere, perhaps also due to a higher proportion of Spanish-language speakers.
3. EMMA (#2 in the US)
A classic favorite, and former top name in the US, still going strong.
2. SOPHIA (#6 in the US)
Only one spelling of Sophia ranks in the Delaware Top Ten: the -ph version.
1. CHARLOTTE (#3 in the US)
So if Olivia isn’t the top name in Delaware, what is? That would be Charlotte.
TOP 100 DELAWARE GIRL NAMES
- Charlotte
- Sophia
- Emma
- Isabella
- Mia
- Olivia
- Amelia
- Luna
- Harper
- Ava
- Elizabeth
- Evelyn
- Gianna
- Emily
- Sofia
- Nova
- Layla
- Naomi
- Autumn
- Scarlett
- Ella
- Nora
- Riley
- Ailany*
- Avery
- Leilani
- Mila
- Stella
- Abigail
- Aria
- Isla
- Lainey
- Liliana
- Willow
- Grace
- Hazel
- Lily
- Madelyn
- Madison
- Maya
- Violet
- Zoe
- Cecilia*
- Chloe
- Delaney*
- Eleanor
- Elena
- Genesis
- Josephine
- Kennedy
- Maeve
- Penelope
- Aubrey*
- Audrey
- Sienna*
- Aurora
- Brielle*
- Elliana*
- Emilia
- Ivy
- Lucy
- Melody
- Skylar*
- Sloane*
- Valentina
- Victoria
- Camila
- Gabriella
- Hailey
- Jade
- Kehlani*
- Lillian
- Millie
- Adeline
- Athena
- Callie*
- Eliana
- Emery
- Everly
- Leah
- Mackenzie*
- Quinn
- Rachel*
- Rose*
- Sadie
- Serenity*
- Zara*
- Zoey
- Alexandra*
- Alice
- Alora*
- Anna
- Arya*
- Caroline
- Claire
- Daisy
- Ellie
- Francesca**
- Kali
- Kiara*
* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE DELAWARE PLACE NAMES
BARRATT
Borrowed from Barratt’s Chapel, a significant site for the development of Methodism in the United States. The name comes from landowner Philip Barratt.
BEAR
A small community south of Wilmington, Bear takes its name from a tavern that once stood along the main road. It’s said George Washington stopped there.
BETHANY
A tiny coastal town initially established as a Christian retreat, Bethany Beach is a quieter alternative to neighboring Rehoboth Beach.
CHRISTINA, CHRISTIANA
Swedish settlers played a significant role in developing Delaware. And so in 1638, Fort Christina was named after the Swedish queen. It’s the site of present-day state capital Wilmington, but the Christina River still bears the name. The elaboration Christiana also occurs in the state – it’s a historic district, as well as a shopping mall. Basketball’s Charles Barkley spent his early career playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, right across the river from Delaware. His daughter’s name? Christiana, and yes, he says he got the name from the shopping center.
FREDERICA
It isn’t clear who the name Frederica honors, but we do know that the Delaware town was re-named from Johnny Cake Landing. Residents felt a more formal name was in order.
NAMES FROM DELAWARE HISTORY & SYMBOLS
BLUE
The state’s official colors are Colonial Blue and Buff, borrowed from the uniform of George Washington. As a state bird, they adopted the Delaware Blue Hen, which is also the mascot of the University of Delaware. One more obscure fact: in 2025, the state adopted an official dragonfly. It’s the blue dasher.
DIAMOND
Another nickname for tiny Delaware? The Diamond State. It refers to a shape on the state flag, inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s legendary description of Delaware as a “jewel among states” thanks to its strategically important coastline.
HOLLY
The American holly is the state’s official tree, plentiful in its forests.
PRIMO, UNA
Names that mean one or first might be a creative nod to the First State. A multitude of choices includes Cardinal, Adanna, Hana, and Primrose, too.
NAMES OF FAMOUS DELAWARIANS
AUBREY
As in actress Aubrey Plaza. The name Aubrey remains more popular in the state that it is nationally.
BRYAN
Attorney Bryan Stevenson’s fight for justice was told in the book Just Mercy, adapted for the screen with Michael B. Jordan playing Stevenson.
DONTE
The NBA’s Donte DiVincenzo is a Delaware native.
ELENA
Athlete names are always influential. One of many gifted Delawareans, basketball star Elena Della Donne recently retired from the WBNA after twice earning the league’s MVP award.
ELEUTHERE
Paris-born Éleuthère Irénée du Pont immigrated to the United States and eventually established his family home and started a business along the Brandywine Creek in Delaware. The long-term ramifications would be considerable. The original company produced gunpowder, but it would become a chemical innovator, creating products like Kevlar, Teflon, and Tyvek, to name just a few. Eleuthere comes from a Greek name meaning free.
JOSEPH
As in Joe Biden, 46th president of the United States. Before his election to the White House, Biden was a long-serving senator, vice president under Barack Obama, and a noted advocate for Amtrak.
SOLANA, SZA
The singer was born Solána Imani Rowe in Maplewood, New Jersey. But she’s a graduate of Delaware State University. Solana has become a fast-rising, trendy name on the girls’ side of the popularity charts in recent years. Some credit might go to SZA’s influence.
