Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 2008

In the year 2008, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Ava, Olivia, and Emma. These names have been popular for several years and continue to be a favorite among parents. Ava, meaning "life" or "bird," has been a popular name since the early 2000s. Olivia, meaning "olive tree," has been a top name for over a decade. Emma, meaning "universal" or "whole," has been a classic name for centuries.

For baby boys, the top names in Pennsylvania in 2008 were Michael, Ryan, and Jacob. Michael, meaning "who is like God," has been a popular name for decades and has remained in the top 10 for several years. Ryan, meaning "little king," has also been a popular name for a few decades. Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel," has been a top name for over a century and continues to be a favorite among parents.

Overall, the top baby names in Pennsylvania in 2008 were a mix of classic and modern names. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be a top choice for parents in the state.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 2008

In Pennsylvania in 2008, the most popular baby girl names were Ava with 909 occurrences, followed by Olivia with 855 occurrences, Emma with 812 occurrences, Madison with 748 occurrences, and Isabella with 738 occurrences. These names were the top five most commonly given to baby girls in Pennsylvania that year.

Ava

909 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Olivia

855 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Emma

812 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Madison

748 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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."
Isabella

738 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Abigail
702 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Emily
650 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Sophia
588 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Elizabeth
439 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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
435 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Grace
430 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Addison
422 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Addison
The name Addison is of English origin and means "son of Adam". It is a unisex name that has become more popular as a girl's name in recent years.
Sarah
409 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Ella
409 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Samantha
403 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Alexis
398 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Lily
391 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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
391 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Mia
372 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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".
Julia
354 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 2008

In Pennsylvania in 2008, Michael was the most popular name for baby boys, with 928 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Ryan with 880, Jacob with 871, Matthew with 734, and Joseph with 720. These names were the top five most popular baby boy names in the state during that year.

Michael

928 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Ryan

880 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Jacob

871 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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

734 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joseph

720 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Logan
702 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Anthony
697 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Ethan
696 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Alexander
693 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Nicholas
662 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Aiden
658 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Joshua
657 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Andrew
655 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Daniel
645 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jayden
644 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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".
William
631 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
John
631 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Noah
624 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) 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.
Tyler
622 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Christopher
621 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (2008) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."