Time to talk about Georgia baby names!
Southernmost of the thirteen original colonies, Georgia has a long and storied history. It’s a big, diverse state – the eighth largest in terms of population, though only 24th in terms of size.
Inevitably, there’s a divide between bustling, metro Atlanta and, rural, agrarian Calhoun County.
That rural and urban split shows up in pop culture and naming trends.
From Little Richard and Gladys Knight to TLC, OutKast, and Ludacris, Georgia musicians have made their mark. That’s true in rock and country, too, from The Allman Brothers to Travis Tritt and Jason Aldean. Ma Rainey is known as “the Mother of the Blues.” There’s also the Athens, Georgia scene, focused around the University of Georgia. R.E.M. and the B-52s are probably the biggest names to emerge from that part of the state.
During the late 1970s, Americans were fascinating with fictional Hazzard County, the setting for television hit The Dukes of Hazzard. It feels hopelessly dated – at best – in the 2020s, but the names have proved surprisingly current.
So many Georgia-inspired names are also inspired by the state’s natural beauty, most famous symbols, and, of course, the name of the state itself.
GEORGIA AS A BABY NAME
The state takes its name from King George II of Great Britain.
Of Latin origin, Georgia is the feminine form of George. George, in turn comes from a Greek word meaning earthworker – literally, a farmer.
Saint George started out as a third century Roman solider. Medieval stories dressed him in armor and sent him to slay a dragon. The legendary knight became wildly popular. He is the patron saint of England.
GEORGE NAMES
From the obvious Georgia and George to more unique names beginning with the syllable, these are the George names in use in the US as of 2024:
- George
- Georges
- Georgette
- Georgi
- Georgia
- Georgiana
- Georgianna
- Georgiagrace
- Georgiamae
- Georgie
- Georgina
- Georgio
- Giorgia
- Giorgi
- Girogina
- Giorgio
- Jorja
Many of these reflect international versions of the name George. But some are surely a nod to the state.
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN GEORGIA
10. LUCAS (#9 in the US)
A current classic that’s popular nearly everywhere.
9. ASHER (#20 in the US)
Asher overperforms in Georgia. Possibly that’s because ash trees are native to Georgia, widespread across the state. Ashley also remains in the girls’ Top 100, long after it has faded in use elsewhere.
8. HENRY (#6 in the US)
Another traditional favorite.
7. JOHN (#21 in the US)
Conventional wisdom holds that Southern families stick with names across generations. That might be why John remains in the Georgia Top Ten.
6. ELIJAH (#8 in the US)
Once again, the state’s popularity is similar to national trends.
5. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
Oliver’s broad appeal puts this name in nearly every state Top Ten.
4. WILLIAM (#10 in the US)
As with John, William’s slight overperformance in Georgia might reflect a preference for handing down family names from grandfather and father to son.
3. JAMES (#5 in the US)
Another evergreen name remains consistently popular.
2. NOAH (#2 in the US)
The state’s top two names reflect American averages.
1. LIAM (#1 in the US)
Big in the US, and big in Georgia.
TOP 100 GEORGIA BOY NAMES
- Liam
- Noah
- James
- William
- Oliver
- Elijah
- John
- Henry
- Asher
- Lucas
- Ezra
- Mateo
- Samuel
- Theodore
- Hudson
- Ethan
- Dylan
- Levi
- David
- Michael
- Amir
- Benjamin
- Grayson
- Jackson
- Thomas
- Daniel
- Charles
- Maverick
- Jack
- Josiah
- Waylon
- Joseph
- Luke
- Christopher
- Elias
- Joshua
- Alexander
- Mason
- Santiago
- Gabriel
- Wyatt
- Jacob
- Miles
- Walker
- Bennett
- Luca
- Isaac
- Julian
- Carter
- Matthew
- Aiden
- Sebastian
- Caleb
- Brooks
- Legend*
- Leo
- Nolan
- Isaiah
- Owen
- Jayden
- Cooper
- Thiago
- Anthony
- Micah
- Beau
- Christian
- Weston
- Andrew
- Angel
- Kai
- Adrian
- Logan
- Jaxon
- Messiah*
- Ian
- Axel
- Jonathan
- Wesley
- Cameron
- Colton
- Robert
- Roman
- Jayce*
- Kingston*
- Jace*
- Nathan
- Ezekiel
- Eli
- Jeremiah
- Malachi*
- Ace*
- Enzo
- Jordan*
- Kayden*
- River*
- Easton*
- Gael
- Landon*
- Everett
- Lincoln
* indicates the name does not appear in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN GEORGIA
10. EVELYN (#8 in the US)
American parents love -lyn ending names, and Evelyn is among the favorites.
9. ELIZABETH (#17 in the US)
As with John, James, and William in the boys’ Top Ten, the most popular girl names skew slightly more traditional in Georgia. (Notice that Mary remains in the state’s Top 100, too.)
8. SOPHIA (#6 in the US)
One interesting thing about Georgia: while it’s growing, the state’s Spanish-speaking population remains relatively low. Crossover names, like Sophia, Luna, and Mia, rank just a little lower in the state compared to heavy Spanish-speaking communities in places like Texas and California.
7. MIA (#5 in the US)
As with Sophia, Mia is just slightly less common in Georgia.
6. ISABELLA (#7 in the US)
Isabella remains a Top Ten favorite in the state.
5. AVA (#9 in the US)
Another factor: Ava remains slightly more popular with African-American parents, which make up around one-third of the state’s population. That likely explains some of Ava’s over-performance in the popularity rankings.
4. EMMA (#2 in the US)
It’s not a surprise to see Emma near the top of the charts.
3. AMELIA (#3 in the US)
Amelia is a favorite everywhere.
2. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
Olivia slips just a bit to the second spot in Georgia.
1. CHARLOTTE (#4 in the US)
Possibly because of the same factors that make enduring Elizabeth and John slightly more popular, classic Charlotte claims the top spot for the state.
TOP 100 GEORGIA GIRL NAMES
- Charlotte
- Olivia
- Amelia
- Emma
- Ava
- Isabella
- Mia
- Sophia
- Elizabeth
- Evelyn
- Nova
- Harper
- Sofia
- Eleanor
- Chloe
- Luna
- Ellie
- Naomi
- Lily
- Hazel
- Zoe
- Abigail
- Scarlett
- Riley
- Aria
- Eliana
- Ivy
- Genesis
- Aurora
- Camila
- Lucy
- Willow
- Emily
- Violet
- Avery
- Ella
- Gianna
- Nora
- Layla
- Lainey
- Madison
- Caroline
- Sadie
- Autumn
- Lillian
- Stella
- Paisley
- Delilah
- Journee*
- Adeline
- Elena
- Penelope
- Serenity*
- Grace
- Leilani
- Millie
- Addison
- Hannah
- Isla
- Kinsley
- Zoey
- Victoria
- Magnolia*
- Josie
- Kehlani*
- Skylar*
- Kennedy
- Eden
- Emersyn*
- Madelyn
- Emilia
- Alani*
- Jade
- Mary*
- Mila
- Nevaeh*
- Eloise
- Brooklyn*
- Margaret*
- Aaliyah
- Ailany*
- Savannah*
- Maya
- Allison
- Anna
- Ayla
- Madeline
- Melody
- Raelynn*
- Iris
- Josephine
- Ruby
- Sophie
- Alice
- Maria
- Ryleigh*
- Sarah
- Lydia
- Ashley*
- Blakely*
* indicates the name does not appear in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE GEORGIA PLACE NAMES
AUGUSTA
James Oglethorpe served as colonial administrator of the Province of Georgia. He founded several cities, including Augusta. Perhaps not surprisingly, he named the city after a member of the royal family. Princess Augusta was the mother of King George III.
ELLIJAY
This one is just plain fun! The Cherokee word elatseyi probably meant something like “new ground,” though other translations have been suggusted. It was Anglicized as Elejoy and eventually Ellijay. While it’s a tiny dot of a place, it’s known for outdoor activities. And it feels very much like a Southern smoosh of a name, doesn’t it?
JASPER
Another tiny town with a great name, Jasper is also known as “The First Mountain City.” Worth noting: it’s close to Ellijay.
MACON
A handful of places were named for North Carolina politician Nathaniel Macon. It has filtered into use as a given name, partially because Anne Tyler gave it to a character in her celebrated 1985 novel The Accidental Tourist. (William Hurt played the part in the successful 1988 film adaptation.) Worth noting: the movie takes place in Baltimore, Maryland. It also appeals as a substitute for Top 100 Mason.
SAVANNAH
A city famed for its Southern charm, Savannah served as the first state capital. The name comes from the Savannah River, which, in turn, likely has indigenous roots. It’s been among the most successful of places names for our daughters over the last few decades. It’s success tracks to the 1982 movie Savannah Smiles, featuring a young girl by the name. But just like Macon’s story is set in Maryland, Savannah’s tale unfolds in Utah.
TYBEE
As in Tybee Island, a small but beloved beach town near Savannah. The name likely comes from the Yuchi (or Euchee) tribe’s word for salt. Author Bruce Feiler named his twin daughters Eden and Tybee, the latter inspired by the island’s name.
NAMES FROM GEORGIA HISTORY & SYMBOLS
This is a state that loves an official anything. There’s even an official peanut monument located in Turner County. These are among the more name-like possibilities.
AZALEA
The state wildflower is the Azalea. That seems slightly more distinctive than the state flower – the Cherokee Rose. However, Magnolia – known across the south – ranks in the state’s Top 100.
BEE, HONEY
The state’s official insect is the honeybee.
PEACH, PEACHES
Possibly the state’s best-known symbol and the official fruit. Peaches is more popular over time, but Peach might have the edge now. That’s not because of Georgia baby names, or our love for Clementine. Instead, that’s down to Princess Peach in Nintendo’s Mario universe. Peach could be a distinctive middle name option for parents celebrating their Georgia roots.
RHETT, SCARLETT
The novel-turned-movie Gone with the Wind is problematic, at best. A 1930s tale about the Civil War set in Georgia, it reflects its historical moment but feels intensely problematic a century later. And yet … the names Rhett and Scarlett are more popular than ever in the 21st century.
FAMOUS GEORGIANS
CARTER
James Carter Jr. served as 39th president of the United States in the late 1970s. The surname is popular for many reasons; honoring Jimmy Carter might be one of them.
CIARA
The singer Ciara Harris Wilson – known only by her first name – rose to fame during the early 2000s. Her name quickly followed. In our Keira/Sierra moment, Ciara fit right in.
JULIETTE
Juliette Gordon Lowe founded the Girl Scouts, a movement with a rich history, in her native Savannah.
KING
Perhaps the most influential of Georgians, Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta. Like his father before him, King served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
MORDECAI
Savannah native Mordecai Sheftall became the highest ranking Jewish Colonial officer during the American Revolution.
RAY
As in Ray Charles. The legendary singer recorded “Georgia On My Mind” in 1979. The state later adopted Charles’ rendition as the official state song.
ROSALYNN
From former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter.
TY
Baseball legend Ty Cobb was a Georgia native. His full name? Tyrus.
