Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 2012

In 2012, Massachusetts saw a surge in popular baby names, with Emma, Sophia, and Olivia taking the lead for baby girls. These classic names have been popular for years, and continue to be a top choice for parents. Emma, meaning "universal," has been a favorite since the 19th century, while Sophia, meaning "wisdom," has been a top choice for over a decade. Olivia, meaning "olive tree," has also been steadily rising in popularity since the early 2000s.

For baby boys, Benjamin, Mason, and Ryan were the top choices for parents in Massachusetts. Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand," has been a popular name for centuries, while Mason, meaning "worker in stone," has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years. Ryan, meaning "little king," has been a favorite since the 1970s, and continues to be a top choice for parents in Massachusetts. These names are classic and timeless, making them a great choice for any baby boy.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 2012

According to data from 2012, the top five most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts were Emma with 508 occurrences, Sophia with 503 occurrences, Olivia with 453 occurrences, Isabella with 409 occurrences, and Ava with 357 occurrences. These names were the most commonly given to baby girls in the state during that year.

Emma

508 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Sophia

503 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Olivia

453 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Isabella

409 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Ava

357 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Emily
306 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Abigail
280 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Charlotte
272 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) 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".
Mia
254 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".
Grace
227 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Grace
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Madison
226 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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."
Ella
211 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Ella
The name Ella is of German origin and means "all, completely; fairy maiden". It is a short form of the name Eleanor or Ellen.
Lily
196 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Lily
The name Lily is derived from the flower of the same name, which symbolizes purity, innocence, and beauty. The name is often associated with these characteristics and is popular among parents looking for a feminine and graceful name for their daughter.
Hannah
192 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Avery
189 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Avery
The name Avery is of English origin and has multiple meanings. It can mean "ruler of the elves" or "wise". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls.
Elizabeth
184 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Amelia
184 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Julia
173 baby girls born in Massachusetts (2012) named Julia
The name Julia is of Latin origin and means "youthful". It is a feminine name that has been used since ancient Roman times and continues to be popular today.
Sofia
171 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Chloe
170 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 2012

In 2012, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were Benjamin, Mason, Ryan, William, and Jacob. Benjamin was the most popular name with 444 babies given that name, followed closely by Mason with 404 babies named that. Ryan, William, and Jacob rounded out the top five with 403, 402, and 389 babies given those names, respectively.

Benjamin

444 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Mason

404 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Ryan

403 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
William

402 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Jacob

389 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Michael
368 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Noah
356 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Liam
350 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) 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".
Nathan
343 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Ethan
343 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Joseph
339 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Matthew
331 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Alexander
324 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
John
323 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
James
322 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Logan
315 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) 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.
Lucas
312 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) 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."
Samuel
295 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Samuel
The name Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is a biblical name. Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Jack
292 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Anthony
291 baby boys born in Massachusetts (2012) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".