The California dataset covers 99,434 registered babies across 100 distinct first names, drawn from U.S. Social Security Administration records going back to 1910.
The #1 boy name Liam represents 4.9% of registered boys in the state. The #1 girl name Mia represents 4.6% of girls. The higher those percentages, the more concentrated naming is — states with strong local traditions tend to cluster around familiar choices, while cosmopolitan states spread names over a wider pool.
Names distinctive to California
These names are significantly more popular in this state than nationally — they capture California's particular naming character:
Santiago
California #4 · US #29
Julian
California #6 · US #30
Ezekiel
California #13 · US #54
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular boy name in California?
Liam is the most popular boy name in California across the available data, recorded 2,716 times — about 4.9% of boys' name registrations in the state.
What is the most popular girl name in California?
Mia is the most popular girl name in California, recorded 1,986 times — about 4.6% of girls' name registrations in the state.
How far back does the California name data go?
The California dataset spans 115 years of baby name records — from 1910 through 2025 — sourced directly from the U.S. Social Security Administration.
How many unique names have been used in California?
The combined dataset for California contains 100 distinct first names (50 boys, 50 girls) spanning 99,434 total registered births.
What boy names are distinctive to California?
Santiago stands out — ranked #4 in California but only #29 nationally. That makes it a meaningfully regional choice compared with the U.S. as a whole.