Time to consider New Hampshire baby names.
One of the original 13 colonies, New Hampshire’s history runs deep. The state’s motto “Live Free or Die” references the American Revolution. While it wasn’t officially adopted until 1945, it was informally used far earlier.
Originally inhabited by Algonquin peoples like the Abenaki, English settlers arrived in the region early in the 17th century. A province was established in 1629, and the state played a prominent role in the early history of the fledgling United States.
The New England state borders Quebec, Canada to the north, and a significant number of state residents claim French-Canadian heritage. To the east, the sea coast stretches along the Gulf of Maine. It’s tiny as states go by any measure – seventh smallest in terms of land, and 41st out of 50 by population.
What’s more, New Hampshire is not terribly diverse. More than 85% of the population identifies as white, non-Hispanic. Race and language impacts names chosen, so New Hampshire baby names will look very different than California or Maryland.
Despite this small size, the state looms large in the American political process. New Hampshire famously holds the nation’s first presidential primary.
SURPRISING POPULARITY LISTS
The state’s Top Tens and Top 100s might be among the most surprising of any profiled so far – if only because there’s not a clear reason why certain names rise to the top. It’s not a specific language influence or a clear cultural vibe, like Colter in North Dakota or Santiago in Texas.
Some note that New Hampshire ranks in the top ten most educated states, not too far behind neighboring Massachussetts. In fact, the Boston metropolitan area stretches into New Hampshire. Phillips Exeter Academy and Dartmouth College are both located here. So there’s a buttoned-up, polished energy, very blue blazers and boat shoes.
But it’s also a state with a significant history in manufacturing. Plenty of areas first developed as mill towns, and there’s an industrial backbone to much of the area.
Mixed in with those contrasting images is all of the state’s natural beauty, from mountains to beaches, all pressed together into a small, but ever-surprising, part of the world.
Let’s look at how all of that makes for the most popular New Hampshire baby names, along with some surprises.
HAMPSHIRE AS A BABY NAME
Unlike many states, Hampshire really isn’t used as a given name.
It comes from an English county.
Take Hampton, add -shire, and it will eventually reduce to Hampshire.
Hampton might mean near a riverbend, or homestead, or maybe even high. It’s possible more than one of these applies. Scir referred to a district in Old English; that became shire in Middle English.
While Hampton and variants remain fairly common as surnames in the UK and beyond, Hampshire is effectively unused as a given name.
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
10. OWEN (#31 in the US)
Owen is one of those names that almost always over-performs in states without a significant Spanish-speaking population.
9. WESLEY (#52 in the US)
There’s something polished and smooth about Wesley, but Wes also feels at home with names like Wyatt and Maverick. Maybe it’s that versatility that makes this name so appealing in New Hampshire.
8. NOAH (#2 in the US)
The top names nationally under-perform here.
7. LUCAS (#10 in the US)
A classic popular nearly everywhere.
6. LIAM (#1 in the US)
In the Granite State, Liam falls back to #6. That’s despite a significant population of Irish descent, though of course Liam is particularly popular with Spanish-speaking parents, too.
5. JAMES (#6 in the US)
Evergreen.
4. JACK (#15 in the US)
Once a nickname for chart-topping John, Jack has long since stood on its own.
3. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
Oliver is a favorite everywhere.
2. HENRY (#5 in the US)
Traditional Henry surges here.
1. THEODORE (#4 in the US)
The top name reflects the state’s demographics.
TOP 100 NEW HAMPSHIRITE BOY NAMES
- Theodore
- Henry
- Oliver
- Jack
- James
- Liam
- Lucas
- Noah
- Wesley
- Owen
- William
- Benjamin
- Levi
- Lincoln
- Wyatt
- Carter
- Jackson
- Thomas
- Bennett
- Charles
- John
- Miles
- Rowan
- Joseph
- Mason
- Hudson
- Colton*
- Elijah
- Leo
- Maverick
- Luca
- Daniel
- Asher
- Cooper
- Grayson
- Matthew
- Nolan
- Callum*
- Logan
- Beau
- Luke
- Michael
- Gabriel
- Robert
- Sawyer*
- Griffin*
- Julian
- Samuel
- Andrew
- Elliot*
- Everett
- Arthur
- Calvin*
- Carson
- Alexander
- Brooks
- Jameson*
- Roman
- Ryder*
- Weston
- Connor*
- Landon*
- Parker
- Ryan
- Silas
- Cole
- Elias
- Emmett*
- George*
- August
- Callan*
- Cameron
- Waylon
- Dawson*
- Dean*
- Declan*
- Ethan
- Grant*
- Harrison*
- Archer
- Caleb
- Greyson
- Nathan
- Atlas
- Caden*
- Dylan
- Easton*
- Beckett*
- Ezra
- Graham*
- Jaxson*
- Myles
- River*
- Callahan*
- Finn*
- Isaac
- Maxwell*
- Theo
- Chase*
- Christopher
* indicates name does not appear in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
10. ELEANOR (#12 in the US)
A sister for Henry and Theodore.
9. ISLA (#28 in the US)
A slightly suprising over-performer.
8. NORA (#20 in the US)
Like Owen and Jack, a name that reads a little buttoned-up.
7. LUCY (#25 in the US)
Traditional vibes make this name a New Hampshire favorite.
6. AMELIA (#4 in the US)
Everybody loves this antique name with a dash of daring.
5. VIOLET (#13 in the US)
A nature name with a strong, distinctive image.
4. MAEVE (#76 in the US)
Liam falls back, but the ever-so-Irish Maeve leapfrogs to the top of the charts.
3. SOPHIA (#5 in the US)
The top three aren’t terribly surprising – long-time favorite Sophia comes in third place.
2. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
The top two names flip-flop with national favorite Olivia retreating to second place.
1. CHARLOTTE (#2 in the US)
As is the case in many states, it’s Charlotte on top for the girls’ list.
TOP 100 NEW HAMPSHIRITE GIRL NAMES
- Charlotte
- Olivia
- Sophia
- Maeve
- Violet
- Amelia
- Lucy
- Nora
- Isla
- Eleanor
- Harper
- Emma
- Evelyn
- Grace
- Lainey
- Penelope
- Eloise
- Elizabeth
- Lily
- Ava
- Isabella
- Abigail
- Ellie
- Aurora
- Hazel
- Mia
- Scarlett
- Willow
- Layla
- Paisley
- Riley
- Vivian
- Madeline
- Chloe
- Kennedy
- Avery
- Josephine
- Ella
- Madelyn
- Lillian
- Addison
- Clara
- Natalie
- Sadie
- Audrey
- Emerson*
- Emilia
- Hannah
- Madison
- Sofia
- Sophie
- Rose*
- Alice
- Aria
- Elena
- Kinsley
- Adeline
- Eliana
- Eliza*
- Lydia
- Millie
- Zoey
- Hadley*
- Ivy
- Piper*
- Autumn
- Claire
- Daisy
- Delilah
- Everly
- Georgia
- Margot*
- Peyton*
- Vera*
- Zoe
- Cecilia*
- Elsie*
- Emily
- Mackenzie*
- Nova
- Ruby
- Anna
- Cora*
- Gianna
- Lennon*
- Mabel*
- Maya
- Quinn
- Summer*
- Charlie*
- Luna
- Mila
- Skylar*
- Stella
- Allison*
- Amara*
- Callie*
- Caroline
- Hallie*
- Iris
* indicates name does not rank in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE NEW HAMPSHIRE PLACE NAMES
ECHO
Borrowed from Echo Lake State Park in the mountains.
HUDSON
A common place name, both because of the Hudson River and explorer Henry Hudson. While rumors likely connected the New Hampshire town to one or both of these references, neither is correct. But the tow name stuck, and it’s a popular boy’s name, too.
JENNESS
The name of a beach in the state, surname Jenness comes from Jeans, a French form of John. That makes Jenness a very compelling alternative to Jackson or Joanna.
KEENE
Actor Keen Ruffalo – son of Mark – raises this short surname name’s profile. As with many single-syllable names, Keen and Keene can claim multiple origins and meanings – battle, bold, wise, family. It might be related to personal names like Conrad or Christian. All of these possible origins are a plus, because the town of Keene, New Hampshire was named after British diplomat Benjamin Keene, who profited from the slave trade. You might recognize the town as the setting for much of the original Jumanji movie from the 1990s.
LINCOLN, MADISON, MONROE
And Adams, Jefferson, Lafayette, Washington, too. A long list of mountains in the state take their names from presidents and founding fathers. It sounds a bit like the cast of Hamilton.
MEREDITH
Another 18th century politician, Sir William Meredith, inspired the name of this small New Hampshire town. He opposed taxing the colonies. Primarily a resort town today, Meredith is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.
WALLIS
Wallis Sands State Park, located near Rye, takes its name from the family who previously owned the land.
WINNIE
Winnipesaukee is the state’s largest lake, popular for swimming, boating, fishing, and all sorts of outdoorsy pursuits. It became briefly famous in late 2020. Talk show host Jimmy Fallon announced he and film producer wife Nancy Juvonen had named their daughter Winnie. The reason? The couple’s many vacations to Lake Winnipesaukee.
NAMES FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORY & SYMBOLS
AUTUMN
Leaf-peeping in New England is a tradition for many. Cold winters create the conditions for vibrant autumn leaves from late September into early October. That makes autumn a spectacular season, and perhaps inspiration for one of the best New Hampshire baby names.
BERYL
A vintage gemstone name, and the state’s official mineral.
LILAC
Purple lilac is the state’s flower.
ROCKY, STONE
Nicknamed the Granite State, New Hampshire parents might not name a kiddo Granite … but names like Rocky and Stone could hold some appeal.
FAMOUS GRANITE STATERS
ALAN
Astronaut Alan Shepard was born in East Derry. He became the first American in space, paving the way for the lunar landing.
BENNING
18th century governor Benning Wentworth was born to a locally prominent family. Benning was his grandmother’s maiden name. The most famous place named for him is actually Bennington, Vermont – but this might make an interesting New Hampshire history choice, too.
BODE
It’s no suprise that plenty of American winter sports are big in New England. Bode Miller has won six Olympic medals in alpine skiing. He’s a native of Easton, New Hampshire.
CHRISTA
Alan Shepard isn’t the only New Hampshirite with ties to outer space. Christa McAuliffe was teaching social studies in Concord when she was selected for NASA’s Teacher in Space program in 1985. She lost her life with the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.
FRANKLIN
It tends to make us think of Benjamin, but Franklin Pierce served as 14th President of the United States. The New Hampshire native was the son of a former governor of the state.
JOSIAH, JED
A Revolutionary war patriot, Josiah Bartlett became the second signer of the Declaration of Independence, He served as governor of the state, as well as chief justice of the state’s supreme court. Fans of The West Wing may know that the fictional Josiah “Jed” Bartlet was said to be descended from the historical figure.
MANDY
Actress and singer Mandy Moore was born in Nashua.
SALINGER
While author JD Salinger is strongly assocaited with his native New York, he lived in Cornish, New Hampshire for three decades.
SARAH
Two famous Sarahs are associated with the state. Born in Newport in 1788, Sarah Josepha Hale became a 19th century writer who successfully campaigned to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Also noteworthy: Hale wrote Mary Had a Little Lamb, the nursery rhyme and founded the very first American magazine for women: Godey’s Lady’s Book. More recently, comedian Sarah Silverman is also a native of the state.
SETH
Bedford-born Seth Myers is known as a late night talk show host and successful comedian.
