You might choose a place-related name to inspire your child to travel the world or help bind them to their family roots. Some location names have multiple origins, such Jackson and Sydney, which are both places and commonly used given names. While it’s fun to have an individual connection to a place name, you can also choose a location-related name simply because you like how it sounds, what it represents to you, or simply because it just feels right.
Place and Location Baby Names
Adelaide
Origin: German Location: Adelaide, Australia Meaning: Nobility Alternative Spellings & Variations: Adelle, Addy, Addie, Adela, Adeline, Adelina Famous Namesakes: Queen Adelaide, the wife of British King William IV, know as “Good Queen Adelaide;” St. Adelaide, Empress of the Holy Roman Empire and wife of Otto the Great; Adalaide Kelley, daughter of actress Katherine Heigl Peak Popularity: Adelaide has been growing in popularity over the past few decades. It ranked number 926 in 2006 and rose to 255 in 2016. In 2020. Adelaide was ranked 274.
America
Origin: English Location: The United States of America Meaning: Home ruler Alternative Spellings & Variations: América, Amerigo, Emery, Aimery, Amaris Famous Namesakes: Actress, America Ferrera; actress, America Young; singer, América Sierra Peak Popularity: America reached peak popularity in 2002 when it was 411. In 2015, it fell to 961 and has not been in the top 1000 since then.
Arizona
Origin: Basque Location: State of Arizona Meaning: Good oak Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aryzona Famous Namesakes: Basketball player Arizona Reid Peak Popularity: The name’s peak popularity occurred around the turn of the 20th century. In 1903, 27 babies were given this name. Arizona has not been on the list of top 1000 baby names in any year after 1911.
Asia
Origin: Greek Location: The continent of Asia Meaning: Rebirth, rising sun, and resurrection Alternative Spellings & Variations: Isia, Asya Famous Namesakes: Dancer, Asia Ray; rapper, Asia Walton; actress, Asia Jackson Peak Popularity: Asia has fallen in popularity since it was number 220 in 2000. In 2015, it was ranked 906, which was the last time it ranked in the top 1000.
Aspen
Origin: EnglishLocation: Aspen, ColoradoMeaning: Shaking treeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Aspyn, AspennFamous Namesakes: Instagram star, Aspen Rae Loeffler; dancer, Aspen HallePeak Popularity: Aspen has been increasing in popularity. It ranked 700 in 2008. In 2020, it was number 224.
Austin
Origin: EnglishLocation: Austin, TexasMeaning: Great or magnificentAlternative Spellings & Variations: AustynFamous Namesakes: Basketball player, Austin McBroom; actor, Austin Butler; singer-songwriter, Austin Mahone; boxer, Austin Trout; football player, Austin DavisPeak Popularity: Austin is a very popular name in the U.S., particularly for boys. In 2000, it was ranked 23. Over the next twenty years, it remained in the top 100, landing at 89 in 2020.
Berlin
Origin: GermanLocation: Berlin, GermanyMeaning: Bear; River rake (a scaffold of beams over a river)Alternative Spellings & Variations: BerlynFamous Namesakes: Soccer player, Berlin Ndebe-NlomePeak Popularity: Berlin is an unusual name that has not been in the top 1000 names in the U.S. in the past 100 years.
Boston
Origin: EnglishLocation: Boston, MassachusettsMeaning: Town by the woods; Botolph’s stone (after a patron saint of boundaries and travel)Alternative Spellings & Variations: BostynFamous Namesakes: Football player, Boston Scott; writer, Boston TeranPeak Popularity: Boston has grown in popularity over the past two decades. In 2004, it was ranked 909. In 2012, it rose to 536, and in 2020, it was a few slots lower at 595.
Bristol
Origin: EnglishLocation: Bristol, England; Bristol, ConnecticutMeaning: Meeting place by the bridgeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Bristyl, BristleFamous Namesakes: Daughter of former Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin, Bristol PalinPeak Popularity: Bristol was ranked 667 in 2009 and increased to 390 in 2019. In 2020, it fell to 491.
Brooklyn
Origin: Dutch Location: Brooklyn, New York Meaning: Broken land Alternative Spellings & Variations: Brooklynn Famous Namesakes: Actress, Brooklyn Decker, photographer Brooklyn Beckham Peak Popularity: Brooklyn is a popular unisex name. In 2011, it was at its peak popularity, ranking 21. In 2020, it had fallen a bit to 54.
Cairo
Origin: Arabic Location: Cairo, Egypt Meaning: Victorious Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kairo, Kayro, Kyro Famous Namesakes: Daughter of actors Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict, Cairo Tiahna Mowry-Hardrict Peak Popularity: Cairo has skyrocketed from 942 in 2015 to 346 in 2020. The variation Kairo is even more popular with a rank of 279 in 2020.
Cali
Origin: Greek/Italian Location: Nickname for the state of California Meaning: Good, beautiful, best Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kali, Calí Famous Namesakes: Actress, Cali Timmins; rapper, Cali Stylz; Instagram personality, Cali Dream Taylor Peak Popularity: Cali has grown substantially in popularity from 891 in 2001 to 292 in 2020. Its peak popularity was in 2014 at number 202.
Catalina
Origin: SpanishLocation: Catalina, SpainMeaning: PureAlternative Spellings & Variations: KatalinaFamous Namesakes: Fifteenth-century noblewoman, Catalina, Duchess of Villena; 17th-century Spanish explorer, Catalina de Erauso; tennis player, Catalina CastañoPeak Popularity: Catalina has become increasingly popular. It rose from 796 in 2002 to 178 in 2020.
Charlotte
Origin: French Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Meaning: Free man or petite Alternative Spellings & Variations: Charlot Famous Namesakes: Princess Charlotte of Cambridge; Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Charlotte Wilhelmine; silent film actress, Charlotte E. Burton; Swedish Olympic gold medalist cross-country skier, Charlotte Kalla Peak Popularity: Charlotte is an extremely popular name for baby girls. It was ranked 289 in 2000 and peaked at 4 in 2020.
Chelsea
Origin: EnglishLocation: Chelsea, LondonMeaning: Chalk wharfAlternative Spellings & Variations: Chelsey, ChelsieFamous Namesakes: Comedian, Chelsea Handler; writer (and child of President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) Chelsea ClintonPeak Popularity: Chelsea dropped from a peak of 15 in 1992 to 646 in 2020. In 2000, it was ranked 140.
Cheyenne
Origin: SiouxLocation: Cheyenne, WyomingMeaning: Speakers of a different languageAlternative Spellings & Variations: Shyanne, CheyanneFamous Namesakes: Singer, Cheyenne Kimball; model (and daughter of Marlon Brando), Cheyenne Brando; basketball player, Cheyenne ParkerPeak Popularity: Cheyenne was ranked 99 in 2000. Since then it has experienced a gradual decline, reaching 581 in 2020.
China
Origin: Sanskrit Location: The country of China Meaning: Great country, Qin Dynasty Alternative Spellings & Variations: Chyna, Chynna Famous Namesakes: Singer, China Forbes; actress, China Chow; model, China Machado; actress, Chynna Phillips Peak Popularity: China is a rare name in America. It has not been ranked in the top 1000 names for any year in the 2000s.
Cody
Origin: EnglishLocation: Cody, WyomingMeaning: HelpfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Codi, Codey, Kody, KodieFamous Namesakes: Baseball player, Cody Asche; musician, Cody Chesnutt; Canadian figure skater, Cody HayPeak Popularity: Cody has fallen in popularity over the past few decades but is still relatively popular. In 2000 it was ranked 60 and in 2020 it was 297.
Dakota
Origin: Sioux/LakotaLocation: The states of North Dakota and South DakotaMeaning: Friend, friendlyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Dakotah, Dakoda, DacotahFamous Namesakes: Actress, Dakota Fanning; football player, Dakota Allen; Australian surfer, Dakota AbbertonPeak Popularity: Dakota is popular for both baby boys and baby girls. In 2000, it was ranked 88 for boys and 348 in 2020. It was slightly more common for girls in 2020, ranking 261.
Dallas
Origin: Scottish Location: Dallas, Texas Meaning: From the dales or open valley Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dallys, Dal, Dallis, Dalles, Delles Famous Namesakes: Actor, Dallas Adams; baseball player, Dallas Braden; songwriter, Dallas Austin Peak Popularity: Dallas has held relatively steady in popularity over the past two decades. In 2000 it was 309, and in 2020, it was ranked 271.
Devon
Origin: EnglishLocation: Devon or Devonshire, a county in EnglandMeaning: Fawn, poet, of DevonshireAlternative Spellings & Variations: DevinFamous Namesakes: Model, Devon Aoki; football player, Devon Bailey; actor, Devon AndersonPeak Popularity: Devon has become less common in recent years. In 2000, it was ranked 133 in popularity for boys and 658 for girls. By 2020, it was 672 for boys and not even in the top 1000 for girls.
Eugene
Origin: GreekLocation: Eugene, OregonMeaning: Noble, well-bornAlternative Spellings & Variations: Eugenia, Eugenie, Eugine, Gene, Jean, JeannieFamous Namesakes: Playwright, Eugene O’Neill; actor, Gene Hackman; dancer/actor Gene Kelly; director/producer/comedian Eugene LevyPeak Popularity: Eugene has decreased in popularity in recent years. It’s dropped from 504 in 2000 to 840 in 2020.
Florence
Origin: EnglishLocation: Florence, ItalyMeaning: Blossoming, flourishingAlternative Spellings & Variations: Florentia, FlorenciaFamous Namesakes: Actress, Florence Pugh; actress, Florence Henderson; poet, Florence Duval West; actress/inventor, Florence LawrencePeak Popularity: Florence has been gaining in popularity. Between 1982 and 2016, it was not in the top 1000 names, but in 2017, Florence ranked 980. In 2020, it rose to 762.
Georgia
Origin: GreekLocation: The state of Georgia and the country of GeorgiaMeaning: Farmer, earth-workerAlternative Spellings & Variations: George, Georgie, GeorgiosFamous Namesakes: Artist, Georgia O’Keefe; model, Georgia May JaggerPeak Popularity: Georgia is a popular girl name. In 2000, it ranked 334, and a two decades later, it was 176.
India
Origin: SanskritLocation: The country of IndiaMeaning: From the Indus river, body of waterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Indy, IndieFamous Namesakes: Designer, India Hicks; singer India Arie, journalist India KnightPeak Popularity: India has become less common over the last twenty years. In 2001, it ranked 299, but in 2019, it was just 929.
Jackson
Origin: EnglishLocation: Jackson, MississippiMeaning: Son of JackAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jack, JackieFamous Namesakes: Artist, Jackson Pollock; singer, Jackson BrownePeak Popularity: Jackson is a very popular boy name in the U.S. It ranked number 17 in 2020, 2019, and 2018, and it has consistently been in the top 30 boy names for over a decade.
Jordan
Origin: Greek/Hebrew Location: The Jordan River in Israel, the country of Jordan Meaning: Flow down, descend Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jordyn, Jordana, Jorden, Jordin Famous Namesakes: Comedian, Jordan Peele; singer, Jordin Sparks; soccer player, Jordan Henderson Peak Popularity: Jordan is popular for both boys and girls, but is increasingly used more often as a boy name. In 2000, it was ranked 50 for girls and fell to 435 in 2020. For boys, Jordan was 36 in 2000 and 82 in 2020.
Kent
Origin: EnglishLocation: The county in England and the town Kent, OhioMeaning: High or coastal landAlternative Spellings & Variations: KenttFamous Namesakes: Dancer, Kent Boyd; baseball player, Kent HrbekPeak Popularity: Kent is an uncommon name. It hasn’t ranked in the top 1000 in well over a decade. It last made the list in 2003 when it ranked 882, down from 774 in 2000.
Kenya
Origin: Kikuyu/HebrewLocation: The country of KenyaMeaning: Mountain of whiteness or snowcapped peak, animal hornAlternative Spellings & Variations: KeniaFamous Namesakes: Singer, Kenya Hathaway; actress, Kenya Mori; writer, Kenya D. WilliamsonPeak Popularity: Kenya fell out of the top 1000 names in 2018. The name dropped from 508 in 2000 to 961 in 2017.
Lincoln
Origin: Old EnglishLocation: Lincoln, Nebraska, Lincoln, EnglandMeaning: Pool colony, town by the lakeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lyncoln, LincFamous Namesakes: Aviator, Lincoln Beachey; civil rights activist, Lincoln Ragsdale; artist Lincoln KirsteinPeak Popularity: Lincoln is becoming increasingly popular. It ranked number 711 in 2000. Since then, it’s surged to number 40 in 2020.
London
Origin: EnglishLocation: London, England; New London, ConnecticutMeaning: From the great riverAlternative Spellings & Variations: LondynFamous Namesakes: Politician, London Breed; reality TV star/model, London CharlesPeak Popularity: London is used frequently for boys and girls, but it is more popular for girls. For boys, it was 504 in 2010, and 872 in 2020. For girls, it surged from 828 in 2000 to 195 in 2020. Its peak popularity was 85 in 2013.
Milan
Origin: Slavic/LatinLocation: Milan, ItalyMeaning: Kind, loving, belovedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Milon, MylanFamous Namesakes: Writer, Milan Kundera; hockey player, Milan LucicPeak Popularity: Milan is a popular unisex name. In 2020, it ranked 642 for girls and ranked 429 for boys. These numbers have been fairly consistent over the past two decades.
Odessa
Origin: GreekLocation: Odessa, Ukraine, Odessa, TexasMeaning: Angry manAlternative Spellings & Variations: Odissa, OdyssiaFamous Namesakes: Entrepreneur, Odessa Warren Grey; actress Odessa Cleveland; chef, Odessa PiperPeak Popularity: Odessa is an uncommon name. It has not been in the top 1000 names in the past 20 years.
Orlando
Origin: ItalianLocation: Orlando, FloridaMeaning: Famous land, heroicAlternative Spellings & Variations: Roland, Orlanda, RolandoFamous Namesakes: Actor, Orlando Bloom; composer, Orlando GibbonsPeak Popularity: Orlando has declined in popularity over the past two decades. It ranked 355 in 2006 but fell to 779 in 2020.
Paris
Origin: GreekLocation: Paris, France; Paris, TexasMeaning: WalletAlternative Spellings & Variations: Parrish, Parish, ParrisFamous Namesakes: Socialite, Paris Hilton; singer, Paris Jones; singer, Paris BennettPeak Popularity: Paris is a moderately popular name for girls that has been in the top 500 names over the past twenty years (except 2001, when it was ranked 507). It is unusual for boys. In 2004, Paris hit a peak of 157.
Peyton
Origin: EnglishLocation: Peyton, ColoradoMeaning: Fighting man’s estateAlternative Spellings & Variations: PaytonFamous Namesakes: Football player, Peyton Manning; director, Peyton Reed; actress, Peyton Elizabeth LeePeak Popularity: Peyton ranked 168 in 2000 and peaked at 42 in 2009. In 2020, it was 98 on the most popular baby name list.
Phoenix
Origin: GreekLocation: Phoenix, ArizonaMeaning: Dark redAlternative Spellings & Variations: Fifi, Nix,Famous Namesakes: Reality TV star, Phoenix Parnevik; Instagram influencer, Phoenix BrownPeak Popularity: Phoenix has been growing in popularity. In 2000, it ranked 877. In 2020, it had risen to 238.
Rio
Origin: Spanish Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Meaning: River Alternative Spellings & Variations: Reo Famous Namesakes: Soccer player, Rio Ferdinand; singer, Rio Reiser; actress Rio Matsumoto Peak Popularity: Rio, which is more commonly used as a baby boy name, did not breach the top 1000 baby name list until 2020, when it ranked 783.
Rome
Origin: LatinLocation: Rome, ItalyMeaning: Citizen of RomeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Romeo, Romulus, Roman, JeromeFamous Namesakes: Actor Rome FlynnPeak Popularity: Rome is an unusual name that did not make the top 1000 baby name rankings until 2019, when it was 999. In 2020, it rose to 970.
Sahara
Origin: ArabicLocation: Sahara DesertMeaning: DesertAlternative Spellings & Variations: SaharraFamous Namesakes: Singer/entertainer, Sahara Davenport; singer, Sahara SmithPeak Popularity: Sahara is an uncommon name. It has not been in the top 1000 baby names in any year since 1900.
Santiago
Origin: Spanish/HebrewLocation: Santiago, Chile; Santiago, Philippines; Santiago de Compostela, SpainMeaning: Saint James the Great, Saint Yago (James), supplanterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Santi, Sandy, IagoFamous Namesakes: Cyclist, Santiago Amador; director/screenwriter, Santiago Amodeo; architect, Santiago CalatravaPeak Popularity: Santiago has grown in popularity in recent years. It increased from 359, in 2000, to 71, in 2020.
Savannah
Origin: SpanishLocation: Savannah, GeorgiaMeaning: Large, treeless grassy plainAlternative Spellings & Variations: Savanna, Vanna, AnnaFamous Namesakes: Soccer player, Savannah Levin; journalist, Savannah GuthriePeak Popularity: Savannah is a very popular girl name in the U.S., and it has been in the top 70 over the past two decades. It reached a peak of 30 in 2006 and 2007, and it ranked number 67 in 2020.
Siena
Origin: Italian Location: Siena, Italy Meaning: Burnt orange Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sienna Famous Namesakes: Actress, Sienna Miller; actress, Sienna Guillory Peak Popularity: Sienna has been on the rise over the past twenty years. In 2000, it ranked 620, and in 2020, it was 166.
Sydney
Origin: EnglishLocation: Sydney, AustraliaMeaning: Wide islandAlternative Spellings & Variations: Sidney, Sydnee, Syd, SidFamous Namesakes: Director, Sydney Pollack; journalist, Syndey Schanberg; actress, Sydney Rae WhitePeak Popularity: Sydney is a popular name. However, it has dropped in popularity from a peak of 23 in 2000, 2001, and 2002. In 2020, it ranked 243.
Victoria
Origin: LatinLocation: Victoria, Canada; Victoria, Australia; Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe; Lake Victoria, KenyaMeaning: VictoryAlternative Spellings & Variations: Victor, Vicky, Vickie, Vix, VikkiFamous Namesakes: Queen Victoria of England; Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; singer/fashion designer, Victoria BeckhamPeak Popularity: Victoria is a very popular name for girls. Over the past twenty years, it was ranked in the top 35 each year. It reached 19 in 2014 and 2017.
Vienna
Origin: LatinLocation: Vienna, Austria; Vienna, VirginiaMeaning: From wine country, forest streamAlternative Spellings & Variations: VienaFamous Namesakes: Singer, Vienna Teng; reality TV star, Vienna GirardiPeak Popularity: Vienna is increasing in popularity. It breached the top 1000 list in 2015, at 925. It was 810 in 2020.
Virginia
Origin: LatinLocation: The state of VirginiaMeaning: VirginAlternative Spellings & Variations: Virginie, Virgy, VirgeeFamous Namesakes: Writer, Virginia Woolf; singer, Patsy Cline (who was born Virginia Patterson Hensley); tennis player, Virginia Ruano PascualPeak Popularity: Virginia is a consistently popular girl name. In 2000, it was 366. In 2020, it ranked 580.
Washington
Origin: EnglishLocation: The state of Washington; Washington, D.C.Meaning: Hunting settlementAlternative Spellings & Variations: WashingtynFamous Namesakes: Inventor, George Washington Carver; author, Washington IrvingPeak Popularity: Washington is a rare name. It has not been in the top 1000 names since 1921.
Zaire
Origin: BantuLocation: Zaire, the former name of the African country now called the Democratic Republic of CongoMeaning: The river that swallows all riversAlternative Spellings & Variations: Zavier, Zyair, ZyaireFamous Namesakes: son of basketball player Dwyane Wade, Zaire Blessing WadePeak Popularity: Zaire is increasing in popularity. It was 798 in 2000 and reached 522 in 2020. Spelling variations Zyair and Zyaire also made the top 1000 list in 2020, at 968 and 447, respectively.
