Let’s talk about North Dakota baby names!
Way up in the Upper Midwest, on the Canadian border, North Dakota sits.
Admitted to the Union in 1839, on the same day as South Dakota, it’s considered the 39th state. It’s massive and sprawling, the 19th largest by area, but only 47th out of 50th in terms of population.
While the percentage continues to decrease, well over 80% of North Dakotans report their race as white. Around 5% identify as biracial, followed by another 4.5% who consider themselves indigenous and just over 3% are black or African American.
Race plays a key role in the names we choose. It’s wrapped up with language. With less than 2% of North Dakota households reporting their primary language as Spanish, the top girl names don’t include Sofia. Mateo and Isabella, favorites in places like Texas, fall farther down the ND list, too.
Known for its national parklands, productive agriculture, and rich indigenous culture, the Roughrider state is wrapped up in American history. Whether you’re a native of North Dakota or just curious to see what names come out on top here, this is your list.
DAKOTA AS A BABY NAME
In 1985, Dakota debuted in the most popular boy names in the US. By 1990, it made the girls’ Top 1000, too.
The name comes from the Dakota people, native to the region. In their language, it means friends or possibly allies.
It filtered into use as a given name thanks to a soap opera. In 1985, the world met Dakota Smith on soap opera Ryan’s Hope. He was the illegitimate son of a major character, Johnny. Parents embraced the name as rugged and outdoorsy – just like the state.
As actress Dakota Fanning became better known, the numbers shifted. Today it’s about equally popular for boys and girls. Figures like the NFL’s Dakota “Dak” Prescott help keep the image balanced.
Despite a long run of popularity and place name-status, parents often hesitate to use names taken from indigenous peoples now.
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN NORTH DAKOTA
10. COLTER (#157 in the US)
Tell me your culture is all about ranches and wide open spaces without telling me your culture is all about ranches and wide open spaces. Rugged Colter surges to the Top Ten in the Roughrider state.
9. JAMES (#6 in the US)
A classic nearly everywhere.
8. BENNETT (#40 in the US)
One of several names that tends to out-perform in homogeneous states. Without Spanish-speakers, Bennett steps into a spot often occupied by Mateo. Also interesting: Bennett makes the state-wide Top Ten, while national favorite Benjamin does not.
7. HUDSON (#17 in the US)
Another name, like Bennett, that often rises in the rankings in situations like this.
6. COOPER (#27 in the US)
Another name outperforming the national stats in North Dakota.
5. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
One of the names of the 21st century.
4. NOAH (#2 in the US)
A former #1 favorite slides a few more spaces down.
3. THEODORE (#4 in the US)
A traditional favorite on the rise.
2. HENRY (#5 in the US)
As in several other states, Henry surges to #2 here.
1. LIAM (#1 in the US)
The top name nationally comes out at #1 here, too.
TOP 100 NORTH DAKOTAN BOY NAMES
- Liam
- Henry
- Theodore
- Noah
- Oliver
- Cooper
- Hudson
- Bennett
- James
- Colter*
- Asher
- Jack
- Leo
- Elias
- Elijah
- Stetson*
- Brooks
- Wesley
- William
- Owen
- Weston
- Luke
- Rowan
- Walker
- Waylon
- Beau
- Archer
- Lincoln
- Maverick
- Hayes
- Jett
- Carter
- Myles
- Samuel
- Silas
- Everett
- Ezekiel
- Graham*
- Grayson
- Luca
- Mateo
- Nolan
- Wyatt
- Atlas
- Benjamin
- David
- Isaac
- Lucas
- Gabriel
- John
- Levi
- Roman
- Axel
- Beckham*
- Briggs*
- Daniel
- Easton*
- Michael
- Otto*
- Thomas
- Baker*
- Beckett*
- Ezra
- Joseph
- Arlo*
- Benson*
- Charles
- Jackson
- Josiah
- Alexander
- Barrett*
- Caleb
- Camden*
- Harrison*
- Isaiah
- Rhett*
- Colton*
- Emmett*
- Harvey*
- Jace*
- Knox*
- Ryker*
- Sebastian
- Theo
- Tucker*
- Anthony
- Arthur
- Dawson*
- Jasper*
- Jude*
- Luka
- Tate*
- Andrew
- Eli
- Elliot*
- Griffin*
- Jacob
- Jameson*
- Ledger*
- Logan
* indicates name does not appear in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN NORTH DAKOTA
10. EMMA (#3 in the US)
Former #1 name falls all the way back to #10 here.
9. IVY (#39 in the US)
Nature names for girls over-perform in North Dakota, starting with Ivy.
8. HAZEL (#21 in the US)
Hazel is another borrowed-from-nature name that rises higher.
7. ELLA (#29 in the US)
North Dakotans love a good El- name.
6. AMELIA (#4 in the US)
Top Ten pretty much across the US.
5. EVELYN (#8 in the US)
A favorite most places.
4. ELLIE (#24 in the US)
The second El- name to over-perform in the state.
3. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
Olivia falls back to the third spot.
2. LAINEY (#30 in the US)
Like Colter, Lainey brings all the rugged, Western vibes.
1. CHARLOTTE (#2 in the US)
This classic name steps up to the very top of the list.
TOP 100 NORTH DAKOTAN GIRL NAMES
- Charlotte
- Lainey
- Olivia
- Ellie
- Evelyn
- Amelia
- Ella
- Hazel
- Ivy
- Emma
- Aurora
- Harper
- Isla
- Lucy
- Nora
- Violet
- Elizabeth
- Eleanor
- Elsie
- Willow
- Clara
- Paisley
- Eden
- Lillian
- Scottie*
- Ava
- Hattie*
- Millie
- Scarlett
- Emery
- Lennon*
- Lily
- Adeline
- Lydia
- Ruth*
- Sophia
- Emersyn*
- Iris
- Wrenley*
- Avery
- Brynlee*
- Hadley*
- Isabella
- Josephine
- Josie
- Layla
- Lyla
- Vivian
- Eloise
- Penelope
- Ruby
- Zoey
- Aria
- Chloe
- Grace
- Hallie*
- Margaret*
- Adalynn*
- Audrey
- Cora*
- Eliana
- Eliza*
- Everly
- Gianna
- Isabelle
- Kinsley
- Liliana
- Mia
- Quinn
- Riley
- Stella
- Addison
- Aubrey*
- Brooklyn
- Freya*
- Mila
- Oaklynn*
- Palmer*
- Parker*
- Aspen*
- Blakely*
- Collins*
- Ember*
- Indie*
- Natalie
- Nova
- Sage*
- Sutton*
- Tatum*
- Victoria
- Ada*
- Alina*
- Charlie*
- Elena
- Gracie*
- Jade
- Maria
- Olive*
- Sloane*
- Sophie
* indicates name does not appear in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE NORTH DAKOTA PLACE NAMES
ARTHUR
A tiny North Dakota town, Arthur was originally called Rosedale. While there’s no connection to former president Chester A. Arthur, the town was later re-named in his honor.
BENSON
A North Dakota county created in 1883, Benson’s name comes from Bertil Benson, a legislator in Dakota Territory prior to statehood.
HAZEN
From the name of a small city south of North Dakota’s largest lake, Lake Sakakawea. It’s named after early postmaster, A.D. Hazen.
NIELS
It looks like a cousin to Neal or Neil, but Niels is actually a cousin to longer names like Nicholas or Cornelius. It reads quite Scandinavian, which tracks with settlers to the snowy state. The National Register of Historic Places lists The Neils Nielsen Fourteen-Side Barn Farm, built by a Danish immigrant.
RAMSEY
Another county name, this one named for Minnesota Senator Alexander Ramsey.
RAY
Founded in 1902 and named for a railroad official, Ray is a tiny town with a surprisingly rich history. The town’s main street includes a building known as Ray Opera House. Strictly speaking, the opera house perched atop a grocery and general store. At the turn of the 20th century, it drew entertainers – and audiences – from miles around. The building still stands today.
WILLIS
Williston counts as a large city by this state’s standards, even though the population tops out below 30,000. There’s a state college and the Williston Basin, which drove the state’s 21st century oil boom. It was named for merchant Daniel Willis James back in 1887.
NAMES FROM NORTH DAKOTA HISTORY & SYMBOLS
HONEY
Quick, what state is the largest producer of honey in the US? It’s North Dakota.
JUNE
Also known as the Saskatoon berry, the juneberry grows wild in the state. They actually ripen closer to July, at peak summer, when locals gather them to make them into jam and bake juneberry pies.
LARK
Inspired by the western meadowlark, the official state bird.
LEGEND
The state’s tourism bureau adopted “Be Legendary” as the current state tagline.
LIBERTY
It might make some think of New York City’s famous statue, but North Dakota’s motto is “Liberty and Union Now and Forever, One and Inseparable.”
PAX
One of the state’s nicknames is The Peace Garden State. Situated on the border of Canada and the US, the International Peace Garden reflects a committment between the two nations, first signed in 1932.
PRAIRIE
For the state’s prairies, of course, but also for the official flower of North Dakota, the prairie rose.
RYDER
Back in 1898, the US army was small, its ranked dwindled after the Civil War. So for the Spanish-American War, they needed tor rebuild. The 1st United States Volunteer Cavarly became known as the Rough Riders. Colonel Leonard Wood headed the regiment. His second in command? Future US president Theodore Roosevelet. The main requirement to join? Horsemanship skills. The unit served admirably in Cuba, and became a pop culture sensation. Roosevelt settled in the state after his presidency, and was long associated with North Dakota. But the nickname only took hold during the 1970s, when the state tourism board starting describing the state as such. Still, Ryder seems like a subtle nod to North Dakota’s history.
WINTER
North Dakota knows winter. It’s among the coldest states, with all those snow-covered prairies. Winter – and wintry names in general – feel like a fit.
FAMOUS NORTH DAKOTANS
ANGIE, ANGELINE
During the 1960s and 70s, North Dakota native Angeline “Angie” Dickinson was a major star, both in Hollywood and later on television. She is one of many famous North Dakotans awarded the annual Rough Rider Award by the state’s governor.
CARIDEE
Fargo native CariDee English won America’s Next Top Model in 2006, and went on to serve as a model and television host.
CARSON
He’s best known as part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning team, but Carson Wentz spent his high school and college years playing football in North Dakota.
Born in North Carolina but high school college fix
KELLAN
Dickinson native Kellan Lutz rose to fame playing Emmett Cullen in the Twilight franchise.
LOUIS
Author Louis L’Amour was born in Jamestown. He became famous as the writer of many Western novels, which he described as stories of the frontier. Many of his more than 100 published works remain in print more than forty years after L’Amour’s death, and many have been adapted for the screen. Louis is a polished, classic choice, but the author takes it to American West.
THEODORE
New York City-born Theodore Roosevelt spent time as a young man in rugged North Dakota, and chose to build his post-presidential Elkhorn Ranch in the state. He extoled the talents of a cowboy and ranch life. His image is forever part of the state, and perhaps that’s why the baby name Theodore continues to over-perform slightly here.
TRUCK
Baseball’s Truck Hannah was born James Hannah. When he joined the New York Yankees in 1918, he became the very first professional baseball player from the state.
WIZ
Minot native Cameron Jibril Thomaz moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and became a rapper. You know him as Wiz Khalifa. While the Grammy-nominated performer is more strongly associated with Pittsburgh, North Dakota can claim him, too.
