California's most popular baby names in 2012

In the year 2012, California saw a surge in the popularity of some of the most classic and timeless baby names, as well as some newer and trendier options. For baby girls, Sophia, Isabella, and Emma took the top spots, while for baby boys, Jacob, Jayden, and Daniel were the most popular choices.

Sophia, meaning "wisdom," has been a beloved name for centuries and continues to hold its place as a top choice for parents. Isabella, meaning "pledged to God," is a name with royal roots and has been gaining popularity in recent years. Emma, meaning "universal," is a classic name that has been consistently popular for over a century. On the boys' side, Jacob, meaning "supplanter," has been a top choice for parents for decades. Jayden, meaning "thankful," is a newer name that has gained popularity in recent years. Finally, Daniel, meaning "God is my judge," is a timeless name that has been popular for centuries and continues to be a favorite among parents in California.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 2012

According to data from 2012, the most popular baby girl names in California were Sophia, Isabella, Emma, Emily, and Mia. Sophia was the most popular name with 3644 babies given that name. Isabella came in second with 3112 babies given that name, followed by Emma with 2453 babies, Emily with 2440 babies, and Mia with 2331 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in California that year.

Sophia

3644 baby girls born in California (2012) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Isabella

3112 baby girls born in California (2012) 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.
Emma

2453 baby girls born in California (2012) 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.
Emily

2440 baby girls born in California (2012) 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

2331 baby girls born in California (2012) 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".
Olivia
1911 baby girls born in California (2012) 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.
Sofia
1688 baby girls born in California (2012) named Sofia
The name Sofia means "wisdom" or "knowledge" and is of Greek origin. It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Abigail
1647 baby girls born in California (2012) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Samantha
1459 baby girls born in California (2012) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Ava
1418 baby girls born in California (2012) 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.
Camila
1413 baby girls born in California (2012) named Camila
Camila is a feminine name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "camillus," which means "attendant or servant of a temple." The name Camila also has Arabic roots, where it means "perfect" or "complete." It is a popular name in Spanish-speaking countries and has gained popularity in other parts of the world as well. The name Camila is associated with qualities such as grace, beauty, and kindness.
Victoria
1307 baby girls born in California (2012) named Victoria
Victoria means "victory" or "conqueror" in Latin. It is a feminine name that has been used since ancient times and is associated with strength, power, and success.
Natalie
1294 baby girls born in California (2012) 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.
Elizabeth
1106 baby girls born in California (2012) 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
1097 baby girls born in California (2012) 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.
Evelyn
1044 baby girls born in California (2012) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Genesis
1037 baby girls born in California (2012) named Genesis
The name Genesis is derived from the Greek word "genesis" which means "origin" or "beginning". It is also the name of the first book of the Old Testament in the Bible, which describes the creation of the world. The name Genesis is often given to girls and boys and is associated with new beginnings, fresh starts, and the start of something important.
Ashley
1002 baby girls born in California (2012) 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.
Madison
998 baby girls born in California (2012) 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."
Zoe
994 baby girls born in California (2012) named Zoe
The name Zoe means "life" in Greek. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since ancient times.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 2012

In 2012, the most popular baby boy names in California were Jacob, Jayden, Daniel, Ethan, and Matthew. Jacob was the most popular name with 2981 babies given that name, followed closely by Jayden with 2871. Daniel, Ethan, and Matthew rounded out the top five with 2688, 2674, and 2654 babies given those names, respectively.

Jacob

2981 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Jayden

2871 baby boys born in California (2012) 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".
Daniel

2688 baby boys born in California (2012) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ethan

2674 baby boys born in California (2012) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Matthew

2654 baby boys born in California (2012) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Noah
2517 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Anthony
2429 baby boys born in California (2012) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Alexander
2428 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Nathan
2236 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Andrew
2152 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
David
2152 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Michael
2011 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Aiden
2003 baby boys born in California (2012) named Aiden
The name Aiden means "fiery one" or "little fire" in Gaelic. It is a popular name for boys in the United States and has been consistently ranked in the top 100 names for several years.
Angel
1939 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Isaac
1867 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Julian
1854 baby boys born in California (2012) named Julian
The name Julian is derived from the Latin name Julianus, which means "belonging to Julius" or "descended from Julius". The name has been widely used in various cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and leadership. Some sources suggest that the name may also have connections to the Roman god Jupiter, who was known as Jovianus in Latin. Overall, the name Julian has a rich history and is a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and timeless name for their child.
Mason
1836 baby boys born in California (2012) named Mason
The name Mason is of English origin and means "worker in stone". It is often associated with the occupation of stonemasonry and is a popular surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. The name has a strong and masculine sound to it and is often chosen for boys.
Adrian
1802 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Jonathan
1737 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.
Joshua
1732 baby boys born in California (2012) 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.