California's most popular baby names in 2009

The state of California is known for its diversity and vibrant culture, which is also reflected in the names given to newborns. In the year 2009, the most popular baby names in California were Isabella, Sophia, Emily for girls and Daniel, Anthony, Angel for boys.

Isabella and Sophia were the clear favorites among baby girl names, with parents opting for classic and elegant names. Emily also made it to the top three, showcasing the trend of traditional names making a comeback. For baby boys, Daniel, Anthony, and Angel were the most popular choices, with parents opting for strong and timeless names. Overall, the top baby names of 2009 in California reflect a mix of traditional and modern influences, making for a diverse and exciting list.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 2009

In 2009, the top five most popular baby girl names in California were Isabella, Sophia, Emily, Mia, and Samantha. Isabella was the most popular name with 3162 babies given that name, followed by Sophia with 2662 babies named Sophia. Emily came in third with 2540 babies given that name, while Mia and Samantha were fourth and fifth with 2106 and 1833 babies respectively.

Isabella

3162 baby girls born in California (2009) named Isabella
The name Isabella is of Italian and Spanish origin and means "God is my oath" or "devoted to God". It is a variant of the name Elizabeth.
Sophia

2662 baby girls born in California (2009) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Emily

2540 baby girls born in California (2009) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Mia

2106 baby girls born in California (2009) named Mia
The name Mia is of Scandinavian and Italian origin. It is derived from the Scandinavian name Maja, which means "bitter" or "sea of bitterness". In Italian, Mia means "mine" or "my".
Samantha

1833 baby girls born in California (2009) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Natalie
1741 baby girls born in California (2009) named Natalie
The name Natalie is of Latin origin and means "birthday of the Lord" or "born on Christmas day". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 19th century.
Emma
1714 baby girls born in California (2009) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Ashley
1623 baby girls born in California (2009) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Abigail
1563 baby girls born in California (2009) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Olivia
1561 baby girls born in California (2009) named Olivia
The name Olivia is of Latin origin and means "olive tree". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and fertility, and the name Olivia has been associated with these qualities.
Ava
1341 baby girls born in California (2009) named Ava
The name Ava is of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to possibly be a variation of the name Eve or a shortened form of the name Aveline. Some sources suggest that it may also have Germanic roots and mean "desired" or "life" in Hebrew. However, the true meaning of the name Ava remains unknown.
Elizabeth
1307 baby girls born in California (2009) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Chloe
1302 baby girls born in California (2009) named Chloe
The name Chloe means "young green shoot" or "blooming" in Greek. It is a popular name for girls and has been used in various cultures throughout history.
Valeria
1257 baby girls born in California (2009) named Valeria
Valeria is a feminine given name of Latin origin, meaning "strength, health". It is derived from the Latin word "valere" which means "to be strong".
Sofia
1233 baby girls born in California (2009) named Sofia
The name Sofia means "wisdom" or "knowledge" and is of Greek origin. It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Madison
1220 baby girls born in California (2009) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Alyssa
1210 baby girls born in California (2009) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Brianna
1191 baby girls born in California (2009) named Brianna
The name Brianna is of Irish origin and is a variant of the name Brian. It is derived from the Gaelic word "brígh" which means "strength" or "virtue". Therefore, the name Brianna can be interpreted to mean "strong" or "virtuous".
Kimberly
1122 baby girls born in California (2009) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Andrea
1057 baby girls born in California (2009) named Andrea
The name Andrea is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for females in English-speaking countries.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 2009

Based on data from 2009, the most popular baby boy names in California were Daniel, Anthony, Angel, Jacob, and Alexander. Daniel was the most popular name, with 3394 babies given that name. Anthony and Angel followed closely behind with 3088 and 3006 babies given those names, respectively. Jacob and Alexander rounded out the top five with 2976 and 2884 babies given those names.

Daniel

3394 baby boys born in California (2009) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Anthony

3088 baby boys born in California (2009) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Angel

3006 baby boys born in California (2009) named Angel
The name Angel is of Greek origin and means "messenger" or "angelic". It is often used as a name for both boys and girls.
Jacob

2976 baby boys born in California (2009) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Alexander

2884 baby boys born in California (2009) named Alexander
The name Alexander means "defender of the people" or "protector of mankind". It is of Greek origin and is a popular name for boys.
Ethan
2675 baby boys born in California (2009) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
David
2624 baby boys born in California (2009) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Andrew
2587 baby boys born in California (2009) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
Matthew
2425 baby boys born in California (2009) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua
2411 baby boys born in California (2009) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Christopher
2395 baby boys born in California (2009) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael
2349 baby boys born in California (2009) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Nathan
2347 baby boys born in California (2009) named Nathan
The name Nathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by a prophet in the Old Testament.
Jayden
2263 baby boys born in California (2009) named Jayden
The name Jayden is of modern origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to be a combination of the names Jay and Aidan, or a variation of the name Jadon which means "thankful" or "God has heard".
Jose
2174 baby boys born in California (2009) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Adrian
2101 baby boys born in California (2009) named Adrian
The name Adrian is of Latin origin and means "man of Adria" or "from the city of Adria". Adria was a port city in ancient Italy. The name is often given to boys and is a popular name in many countries around the world.
Joseph
2091 baby boys born in California (2009) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jonathan
2065 baby boys born in California (2009) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
Noah
2052 baby boys born in California (2009) named Noah
The name Noah is of Hebrew origin and means "rest" or "comfort". It is famously associated with the biblical character who built an ark to save his family and animals from a great flood.
Isaac
1857 baby boys born in California (2009) named Isaac
The name Isaac means "laughter" in Hebrew. It is derived from the word "tsachaq" which means to laugh or rejoice. The name Isaac is most commonly associated with the biblical figure Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. According to the Bible, Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age and his birth was seen as a miracle. The name Isaac has been a popular name for boys for centuries and is still commonly used today.