California's most popular baby names in 2018

California, the most populous state in the United States, is known for its diverse culture and vibrant communities. This diversity is reflected in the most popular baby names of 2018, where traditional and modern names coexist in harmony. The top baby girl names of the year were Emma, Mia, and Olivia, while the top baby boy names were Noah, Liam, and Sebastian.

Emma, a classic name meaning "universal" or "whole," has been a popular choice for parents for years. Mia, a short and sweet name meaning "mine" or "beloved," has also been rising in popularity. Olivia, a name with Shakespearean roots meaning "olive tree," has been a favorite among parents who want a timeless and elegant name for their daughter. On the other hand, Noah, a biblical name meaning "rest" or "comfort," has been a popular choice for baby boys. Liam, a shortened version of William meaning "strong-willed warrior," has also been a favorite among parents. Sebastian, a name with Latin origins meaning "venerable" or "revered," rounds out the top three baby boy names in California in 2018.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 2018

According to the latest data available, the most popular baby girl names in California in 2018 were Emma, Mia, Olivia, Isabella, and Sophia. Emma was the most popular name, with 2746 babies being given this name, followed by Mia with 2502 babies, Olivia with 2467 babies, Isabella with 2202 babies, and Sophia with 2154 babies. These names have been trending for several years and are still popular choices for parents in California.

Emma

2746 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Mia

2502 baby girls born in California (2018) 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

2467 baby girls born in California (2018) 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

2202 baby girls born in California (2018) 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

2154 baby girls born in California (2018) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Camila
2085 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Sofia
1509 baby girls born in California (2018) named Sofia
The name Sofia means "wisdom" or "knowledge" and is of Greek origin. It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Emily
1504 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Victoria
1460 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Luna
1442 baby girls born in California (2018) named Luna
The name Luna is of Latin origin and means "moon". It is a name that has been used for both boys and girls, but is more commonly given to girls. The name has been popularized in recent years by the character Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series.
Ava
1391 baby girls born in California (2018) 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
1374 baby girls born in California (2018) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Charlotte
1343 baby girls born in California (2018) 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".
Mila
1293 baby girls born in California (2018) named Mila
The name Mila is of Slavic origin and means "gracious" or "dear".
Amelia
1205 baby girls born in California (2018) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Evelyn
1158 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Aria
1079 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Penelope
1074 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Scarlett
953 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.
Chloe
918 baby girls born in California (2018) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 2018

In California, the most popular baby boy names in 2018 were Noah, Liam, Sebastian, Mateo, and Ethan. Noah was the most popular name with 2571 babies being named Noah, followed by Liam with 2415 babies. Sebastian, Mateo, and Ethan were also popular choices with 2214, 2101, and 2060 babies respectively being given these names. These names have been trending in popularity in recent years and are expected to continue to be popular choices for parents in California.

Noah

2571 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
Liam

2415 baby boys born in California (2018) 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".
Sebastian

2214 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
Mateo

2101 baby boys born in California (2018) named Mateo
The name Mateo is of Spanish origin and means "gift of God".
Ethan

2060 baby boys born in California (2018) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Daniel
1999 baby boys born in California (2018) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Julian
1939 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
Alexander
1910 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
Benjamin
1768 baby boys born in California (2018) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Jacob
1716 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
Matthew
1705 baby boys born in California (2018) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Lucas
1552 baby boys born in California (2018) 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."
Jayden
1551 baby boys born in California (2018) 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".
Oliver
1508 baby boys born in California (2018) named Oliver
Oliver is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French name Olivier. The name is believed to mean "olive tree" or "olive branch". It has been a popular name in England since the Middle Ages and has gained popularity in other English-speaking countries over time.
Aiden
1482 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
James
1464 baby boys born in California (2018) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Logan
1457 baby boys born in California (2018) named Logan
The name Logan is of Scottish origin and means "small hollow" or "little hollow". It is derived from the Gaelic word "lagan", which refers to a small valley or hollow.
David
1454 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
Elijah
1439 baby boys born in California (2018) 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.
Dylan
1373 baby boys born in California (2018) named Dylan
The name Dylan is of Welsh origin and its meaning is "son of the sea". It is derived from the Welsh word "dy" which means "great" and "llanw" which means "tide" or "flow". The name has been used as a given name for centuries and has been popularized in modern times by various famous individuals.