California's most popular baby names in 2016

California is known for its diversity and vibrant culture, and this is reflected in the most popular baby names of 2016. The top baby girl names in the state were Mia, Sophia, and Emma, which are all classic and timeless choices. Mia, meaning "mine" or "wished-for child," has been in the top 10 for several years now, while Sophia, meaning "wisdom," has been a favorite for over a decade. Emma, meaning "universal" or "whole," is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been a top choice for parents in recent years.

For baby boys, the top names in California in 2016 were Noah, Matthew, and Ethan. Noah, meaning "rest" or "comfort," has been a popular name for several years now and is a favorite among parents who are looking for a strong and timeless name. Matthew, meaning "gift of God," is a classic name that has been a favorite for decades. Ethan, meaning "strong" or "firm," is a name that has been gaining popularity in recent years and is a great choice for parents who are looking for a modern and unique name. Overall, the most popular baby names in California in 2016 reflect the state's diverse and multicultural population, with classic and modern names alike making the list.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 2016

According to data from 2016, the most popular baby girl names in California were Mia, Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella. Mia was the most popular name, followed closely by Sophia and Emma. Olivia and Isabella rounded out the top five. These names are all classic and timeless, and have remained popular choices for parents in California.

Mia

2801 baby girls born in California (2016) 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".
Sophia

2759 baby girls born in California (2016) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Emma

2608 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Olivia

2550 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Isabella

2364 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Emily
1960 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Sofia
1908 baby girls born in California (2016) named Sofia
The name Sofia means "wisdom" or "knowledge" and is of Greek origin. It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Camila
1651 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Ava
1615 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Abigail
1600 baby girls born in California (2016) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Victoria
1563 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Charlotte
1385 baby girls born in California (2016) named Charlotte
Charlotte is a female given name, a female form of the male name Charlot, a diminutive of Charles. It is of French origin meaning "free man" or "petite".
Evelyn
1191 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Scarlett
1117 baby girls born in California (2016) named Scarlett
Scarlett is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French word "escarlate" meaning "scarlet, red". It is often associated with the color red and can symbolize passion, courage, and strength.
Amelia
1064 baby girls born in California (2016) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Penelope
1056 baby girls born in California (2016) named Penelope
Penelope is a name of Greek origin, meaning "weaver" or "duck". In Greek mythology, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus who was known for her faithfulness and weaving skills.
Elizabeth
1026 baby girls born in California (2016) 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.
Alexa
1025 baby girls born in California (2016) named Alexa
The name Alexa is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "alexandros," which means "defender of the people." Therefore, the name Alexa can be interpreted as "helper" or "protector."
Samantha
1014 baby girls born in California (2016) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Aria
1007 baby girls born in California (2016) named Aria
Aria is a name of Italian origin, meaning "air" or "song" in Italian. It has also been associated with the musical term "aria," which refers to a solo performance in an opera or other vocal piece. The name has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the United States.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 2016

According to data from 2016, the most popular baby boy names in California were Noah, Matthew, Ethan, Daniel, and Sebastian. Noah was the most popular name with 2698 babies given this name. Matthew, Ethan, Daniel, and Sebastian were also very popular choices, with each name being given to over 2,000 babies.

Noah

2698 baby boys born in California (2016) 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.
Matthew

2420 baby boys born in California (2016) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Ethan

2339 baby boys born in California (2016) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Daniel

2302 baby boys born in California (2016) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Sebastian

2275 baby boys born in California (2016) named Sebastian
The name Sebastian is of Latin origin and means "venerable" or "revered". It was derived from the Greek name Sebastianos, which means "from Sebastia", a city in Asia Minor. The name has been popularized by Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr who was killed during the Roman Empire.
Jacob
2273 baby boys born in California (2016) 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
2223 baby boys born in California (2016) 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.
Liam
2048 baby boys born in California (2016) named Liam
The name Liam is of Irish origin and is a shortened form of the name Uilliam, which is the Irish version of the name William. The name Liam means "strong-willed warrior" or "protector".
Julian
2046 baby boys born in California (2016) 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.
Benjamin
1922 baby boys born in California (2016) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Jayden
1860 baby boys born in California (2016) 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".
Mateo
1858 baby boys born in California (2016) named Mateo
The name Mateo is of Spanish origin and means "gift of God".
Michael
1772 baby boys born in California (2016) 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
1763 baby boys born in California (2016) 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.
David
1716 baby boys born in California (2016) 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.
Nathan
1699 baby boys born in California (2016) 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.
Anthony
1659 baby boys born in California (2016) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Lucas
1641 baby boys born in California (2016) named Lucas
The name Lucas is a Latin name meaning "from Lucania," a region in southern Italy. It is derived from the Latin name Lucius, which means "light" or "illumination."
James
1636 baby boys born in California (2016) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Elijah
1581 baby boys born in California (2016) named Elijah
The name Elijah is of Hebrew origin and means "my God is Yahweh". It is a biblical name and is associated with the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament.