AHEAD: Over 160 baby names inspired by cities across the globe.
Forget Paris and London, if you’re searching for a beautiful (but slightly more unique) place name for your baby girl, you’re in the right place!
Below, you’ll find over 160 city names for girls along with their meanings, current popularities, and locations.
Related: City Names for Boys
City names trending in 2025
These city-themed girls’ names are climbing the charts right now, each making notable gains since last year.
Alma 🔥
- Name meaning: Nourishing or nurturing.
- About: There are 20+ cities in the U.S. with this name. There are also cities named Alma in Australia, Canada, Greece, and Israel.
- Popularity: #461 (↑20)
Dallas
- Name meaning: Skilled.
- About: A city in North Texas.
- Popularity: This city name ranks #615 (↑32) for girls and #252 for boys.
Denver
- Name meaning: Green valley.
- About: The capital of Colorado.
- Popularity: This city name ranks #780 (↑82) for girls and #512 for boys.
Emory 🔥
- Name meaning: Brave or industrious.
- About: A city in Virginia and Texas. Also the name of a university in Georgia.
- Popularity: #366 (↑102)
Florence 🔥
- Name meaning: Prosperous.
- About: The capital city of Tuscany, Italy. Also the name of 28+ cities in the U.S.
- Popularity: #521 (↑102)
Holland
- Name meaning: Wooden land.
- About: Part of the Netherlands. Also a city in Michigan.
- Popularity: #568 (↑23)
Quincy 🔥
- Name meaning: Estate of the fifth child.
- About: There are 16+ cities with this name. The first one was in Massachusetts.
- Popularity: This baby name ranks #677 (↑170) for girls and #676 for boys.
Salem
- Name meaning: Peace or safety.
- About: The capital of Oregon. Famous for the witch trials in Massachusetts. Also the name of 30+ U.S. cities.
- Popularity: This name ranks #420 (↑31) for girls and #629 for boys.
More on 2025 viral predictions in just a bit.
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Popular girls’ names that happen to be cities
These city names overlap with the top 300 baby girls’ names.
Adelaide
- Name meaning: Noble.
- About: South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital.
- Popularity: #284
Aspen
- Name meaning: Tree with heart-shaped leaves.
- About: A ski resort town in Colorado.
- Popularity: Aspen ranks #214 and Aspyn isn’t ranking.
Aurora
- Name meaning: Dawn.
- About: There are over 25 cities in the U.S. with the name Aurora. The most notable ones are in IL and CO.
- Popularity: #22
Related: Middle Names for Aurora
Brooklyn
- Name meaning: Broken land or beautiful brook.
- About: A borough of NYC.
- Popularity: #84
Charlotte
- Name meaning: Free woman.
- About: The most populous city in North Carolina.
- Popularity: #3
Related: Middle Names for Charlotte
Emerson
- Name meaning: Emery’s daughter.
- About: A city in Georgia, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and New Jersey—just to name a few!
- Popularity: For girls, Emerson ranks #161, and Emersyn isn’t ranking. Emerson ranks #268 for boys.
London
- Name meaning: From the great river.
- About: The capital of England and the United Kingdom
- Popularity: Londyn ranks #276 and London ranks #313.
Madison
- Name meaning: Child of Matthew.
- About: The capital of Wisconsin. Also the name of several other U.S. cities.
- Popularity: Madison ranks #36, Maddison ranks #482.
Related: Middle Names for Madison
Phoenix
- Name meaning: A mythical bird that rises from the ashes and is born again.
- About: The capital of Arizona.
- Popularity: This bird-themed name ranks #348 for girls and #269 for boys.
Savannah
- Name meaning: Treeless plain.
- About: A coastal Georgia city.
- Popularity: #92
Valeria
- Name meaning: Strong, brave, healthy.
- About: An important historical Roman city (now located in Spain). Also a tiny city in Iowa with just 39 people.
- Popularity: #154
Victoria
- Name meaning: Winner.
- About: The capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia and the island nation of Seychelles.
- Popularity: #45
Famous American cities that make great baby names
Now we’ll take a look at well-known cities in the United States that make for great baby names!
Augusta
- Name meaning: Magnificent.
- About: The capital of Maine. Also the name of 15+ other U.S. cities.
- Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking.
Carmel
- Name meaning: Garden.
- About: A scenic beach city in Northern California.
- Popularity: This Hebrew name isn’t ranking.
Chelsea
- Name meaning: Landing place or chalk.
- About: A trendy area on the west side of Manhattan.
- Popularity: This 2-syllable name isn’t ranking.
Cheyenne
- Name meaning: Supplanter or incoherent speaker.
- About: The capital of Wyoming.
- Popularity: #790
Harlem
- Name meaning: Named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands.
- About: A district of New York City known for its rich black history and culture.
- Popularity: This H name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #911 for boys.
Hartford
- Name meaning: Hart (male deer) + ford (shallow part of a river).
- About: The capital of Connecticut.
- Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking.
Oakland
- Name meaning: Land of oak trees.
- About: A city on the San Francisco Bay.
- Popularity: This tree-inspired name isn’t ranking.
Sedona
- Name meaning: An invented name.
- About: A city in Arizona.
- Popularity: This rare city name isn’t ranking.
International city names for girls
These female city names come from well-known destinations throughout the world.
Geneva
- Name meaning: Juniper tree.
- About: The second-most populous city in Switzerland.
- Popularity: This G name isn’t ranking.
Havana
- Name meaning: Port.
- About: The capital city of Cuba.
- Popularity: This exotic name isn’t ranking.
Kensington
- Name meaning: The town Of Cynsige’s people.
- About: A wealthy district near London.
- Popularity: This long girl’s name isn’t ranking.
Medina
- Name meaning: City of the prophet.
- About: The second holiest Islamic city in Saudi Arabia. Also the name of 10+ cities in the U.S.
- Popularity: This M name isn’t ranking.
Milan
- Name meaning: Gracious.
- About: A city in Italy known for fashion.
- Popularity: #644
Nyrobi
- Name meaning: Place of cool waters.
- About: The capital city of Kenya.
- Popularity: This water-themed name isn’t ranking.
Orly
- Name meaning: From Latin Aureliacum, “the villa of Aurelius”.
- About: A suburb of Paris.
- Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking.
Paris
- Name meaning: From Parisii, the city’s early inhabitants.
- About: The capital of France.
- Popularity: #493
Sienna or Siena
- Name meaning: Orange-red. An earthy substance used as a pigment.
- About: Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy.
- Popularity: Sienna ranks #140 and Siena ranks #664.
Sofia
- Name meaning: Wisdom.
- About: The capital of Bulgaria.
- Popularity: Sophia ranks #5 and Sofia ranks #12.
Sydney
- Name meaning: Wide meadow.
- About: One of Australia’s largest cities.
- Popularity: #306
Verona
- Name meaning: Truth.
- About: A city in Northern Italy famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
- Popularity: This classic girl’s name isn’t ranking.
Vienna
- Name meaning: Vedunia (forest stream) or Vindobona (fair village).
- About: The capital of Austria.
- Popularity: #691
Here are some great middle name ideas for international baby names.
Common American city names
Each of these names is held by at least half a dozen cities in the United States.
Alexandria
- Name meaning: Defender.
- About: There are 15 cities in the U.S. with this name. Alexandria is best known as a city in Egypt.
- Popularity: #404
Related: Middle Names for Alex
Bristol
- Name meaning: Place by the bridge.
- About: There are 22 cities in the U.S. with this name.
- Popularity: #527
Camden
- Name meaning: Winding valley.
- About: There are 18 cities in the U.S. with this name.
- Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #181 for boys.
Elizabeth
- Name meaning: Oath.
- About: There are 13 cities in the U.S with this name. Also a city in Australia.
- Popularity: #15
Hayden
- Name meaning: Heather or hay valley.
- About: There are 7 cities in the U.S. with this name.
- Popularity: Hayden ranks #368 for girls and #162 for boys.
Liberty
- Name meaning: Freedom.
- About: There are 23+ cities in the U.S. with this name.
- Popularity: #891
Logan
- Name meaning: Little hollow.
- About: There are 13+ cities with this name. Logan International Airport is in Boston.
- Popularity: This Scottish name ranks #356 for girls and #39 for boys.
Marion
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea; or beloved.
- About: There are 25+ U.S. cities with this name. The largest one is in Ohio.
- Popularity: This 6-letter name is not in the top 1000.
Morgan
- Name meaning: Of the sea.
- About: There are 8+ cities in the U.S. with this name.
- Popularity: #247
Parker
- Name meaning: Park keeper.
- About: There are 13+ cities in the U.S. with this name.
- Popularity: This P name ranks #121 for girls and #91 for boys.
Ripley
- Name meaning: Clearing in the woods.
- About: There are 15+ cities in the U.S. and 3 in England with this name.
- Popularity: This badass Alien-inspired name isn’t ranking.
Selma
- Name meaning: Godly helmet.
- About: There are 16+ cities with this name. Selma in Alabama is famous for a march that took place during the civil rights movement.
- Popularity: This S name isn’t ranking.
Shelby
- Name meaning: Estate on the ledge.
- About: There are 13+ cities with the name Shelby and 7 with the name Shelbyville.
- Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking.
Taylor
- Name meaning: Clothing tailor.
- About: There are 22+ cities in the U.S. with this name.
- Popularity: This name ranks #261 for girls and #591 for boys.
Trinity
- Name meaning: Triad.
- About: There are 8+ American cities with this name. It is also popular in Canada and the UK.
- Popularity: #348
Waverly
- Name meaning: Meadow of quivering aspens.
- About: There are 9+ cities with this name.
- Popularity: #880
Western city names for girls
These baby names come from cities in the western part of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Clara
- Name meaning: Clear and bright.
- About: Santa Clara is a city in California and Utah.
- Popularity: #99
Dana
- Name meaning: God is my judge.
- About: Dana Point is a city in California. Dana is a city in North Carolina.
- Popularity: #970
Fallon
- Name meaning: Descended from a ruler.
- About: A city in western Nevada.
- Popularity: #689
Hana or Hanna
- Name meaning: Grace.
- About: Hana is a city in Hawaii. Hanna is a city in Wyoming.
- Popularity: Hannah ranks #48, Hanna ranks #525, and Hana isn’t ranking.
Related: Middle Names for Hannah
Lacey
- Name meaning: From Lassy.
- About: A suburb of Olympia, Washington.
- Popularity: #759
Palmer
- Name meaning: She who holds the palm. A pilgrim who carried palm branches back from the Holy Land.
- About: A city northeast of Anchorage, Alaska.
- Popularity: #277
Sierra
- Name meaning: Mountain range.
- About: Sierra Madre is a city in California.
- Popularity: #565
Whitney
- Name meaning: White island.
- About: A city in central Nevada.
- Popularity: #981
Willamina
- Name meaning: With gilded helmet. Will. Desire. Protection.
- About: A small city in Oregon.
- Popularity: This 4-syllable name isn’t ranking.
Consider pairing one of these city names for girls with a 3-letter middle name.
Northeastern city names for girls
These city names for girls are inspired by locations in the Northeast.
Bethany
- Name meaning: House of figs.
- About: Bethany Beach is a city in Delaware.
- Popularity: #719
Brielle
- Name meaning: God is my strength.
- About: A borough of New Jersey.
- Popularity: #134
Elmira
- Name meaning: Princess.
- About: A city in New York that’s just north of Pennsylvania.
- Popularity: This royal girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Marlowe
- Name meaning: Driftwood.
- About: Marlow Heights is a city in Maryland.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
May
- Name meaning: Bitter or pearl. The 5th month.
- About: Cape May is a city in New Jersey.
- Popularity: May isn’t ranking but Mae ranks #506.
Meredith
- Name meaning: Great ruler.
- About: A resort town in New Hampshire.
- Popularity: #509
Oaklyn
- Name meaning: Oak lake.
- About: A borough of New Jersey.
- Popularity: Oaklynn ranks #157 and Oaklyn ranks #580.
Odessa
- Name meaning: Long journey.
- About: A town in northern Delaware.
- Popularity: This O name isn’t ranking.
Rochelle
- Name meaning: Small rock.
- About: New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York.
- Popularity: This R name isn’t ranking.
Roselle
- Name meaning: Rose (flower) + elle (girl).
- About: A borough of New Jersey.
- Popularity: This elegant name isn’t ranking.
If you like these northeastern city names for girls you may also like these names meaning graceful.
Midwestern city names for girls
These place-inspired baby names come from cities in the Midwest.
Ada
- Name meaning: Noble.
- About: A city in Ohio.
- Popularity: #177
Allison
- Name meaning: Noble.
- About: A city in Iowa.
- Popularity: #100
Amelia
- Name meaning: Work.
- About: A city in Ohio
- Popularity: #4
Related: Middle Names for Amelia
Arden
- Name meaning: Great forest.
- About: Arden Hills is a city in Minnesota.
- Popularity: This nature girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Ashton
- Name meaning: Ash tree town.
- About: A city in Iowa and Idaho.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #156 for boys.
Aurelia 🔥
- Name meaning: Golden one. Also a type of jellyfish.
- About: A city in Iowa.
- Popularity: #371
Beatrice
- Name meaning: Bringer of joy.
- About: A city in Nebraska.
- Popularity: #587
Bexley
- Name meaning: Box tree clearing.
- About: A city in Ohio.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Blair 🔥
- Name meaning: Field or plain.
- About: A city in Nebraska.
- Popularity: #239
Colby
- Name meaning: From the coal village.
- About: A city in Kansas.
- Popularity: This nonbinary name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #604 for boys.
Edina
- Name meaning: Wealthy friend.
- About: A city in Minnesota.
- Popularity: This E name isn’t ranking.
Ellis
- Name meaning: Benevolent.
- About: A city in Kansas. Ellis Island in New York was the busiest immigrant inspection station in the U.S.
- Popularity: This badass name ranks #357 for girls and #273 for boys.
Finley
- Name meaning: Blonde warrior.
- About: A city in North Dakota.
- Popularity: #282
Harper
- Name meaning: Harp player.
- About: A city in Kansas.
- Popularity: #11
Holly
- Name meaning: Holly bushes are known for their red berries and spiny evergreen leaves.
- About: A city in Michigan.
- Popularity: #450
Kingsley
- Name meaning: King’s meadow.
- About: A city in Michigan.
- Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #849 for boys.
Kinsley
- Name meaning: King’s meadow.
- About: A city in Kansas.
- Popularity: #68
Landen
- Name meaning: Territory.
- About: A city in Ohio.
- Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking for girls and ranks #810 for boys.
Laurel
- Name meaning: A small evergreen tree.
- About: A city in IA, MD, MS, MN, and NB.
- Popularity: #715
Lennox
- Name meaning: Elm field.
- About: A city in South Dakota.
- Popularity: This edgy name ranks #628 for girls and #265 for boys.
Novi
- Name meaning: New.
- About: A city in Michigan.
- Popularity: This N name isn’t ranking.
Oakley
- Name meaning: Meadow of oak trees.
- About: A city in Kansas and Utah.
- Popularity: #153
Shiloh
- Name meaning: Tranquil.
- About: A city in Illinois.
- Popularity: This peaceful hippie name ranks #286 for girls and #388 for boys.
Sutton
- Name meaning: Southern settlement.
- About: A city in Nebraska.
- Popularity: #205 for girls and #446 for boys
Tyndall
- Name meaning: The Tyndall Effect refers to the light scattering by particles such that blue light is scattered much more strongly than red light.
- About: A city in South Dakota.
- Popularity: This space name isn’t ranking.
Xenia
- Name meaning: Hospitality.
- About: A city in Ohio.
- Popularity: This Greek name isn’t ranking.
Southern city names for girls
These city names for girls are inspired by locations in the South.
Abilene
- Name meaning: Grass.
- About: A city in Texas that’s west of Fort Worth.
- Popularity: This A name isn’t ranking.
Addison
- Name meaning: Daughter of Adam.
- About: Cities in Texas and Illinois.
- Popularity: #62
Related: Middle Names for Addison
Alice
- Name meaning: Noble.
- About: A city in South Texas.
- Popularity: #65
Aubrey
- Name meaning: Magical being.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: #101
Related: Middle Names for Aubrey
Auburn
- Name meaning: Reddish-brown.
- About: Cities in Alabama and Washington.
- Popularity: This girls’ city name isn’t ranking.
Avery
- Name meaning: Elf king.
- About: Avery Creek is a city in North Carolina.
- Popularity: Avery ranks #29 for girls and #241 for boys.
Related: Middle Names for Avery
Blakely
- Name meaning: Dark wood.
- About: A city in Georgia.
- Popularity: #155
Brinkley
- Name meaning: Woodland clearing.
- About: A city in Arkansas.
- Popularity: This B name isn’t ranking.
Camilla
- Name meaning: Religious servant.
- About: A city in Georgia.
- Popularity: #336
Cameron
- Name meaning: Crooked nose.
- About: Cities in Texas and Missouri.
- Popularity: This southern name ranks #480 for girls and #58 for boys.
Celina
- Name meaning: Heavenly.
- About: Cities in Texas and Ohio.
- Popularity: This C name isn’t ranking.
Dale
- Name meaning: Valley.
- About: Dale City is a city in Virginia
- Popularity: This one-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Dalton
- Name meaning: Valley settlement.
- About: A city in Georgia.
- Popularity: This D name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #513 for boys.
Daphne
- Name meaning: Daphne laureola is an evergreen shrub with narrow leathery leaves.
- About: A city in Alabama.
- Popularity: #241
Elsa
- Name meaning: Pledged to God.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: This German name isn’t ranking.
Ensley
- Name meaning: Her own meadow.
- About: A city in Florida.
- Popularity: #878
Garland
- Name meaning: A wreath of flowers and leaves.
- About: A city in Texas and Utah.
- Popularity: This great winter baby name isn’t ranking.
Georgiana
- Name meaning: Farmer.
- About: A city in Alabama.
- Popularity: This Victorian girl name isn’t ranking.
Jasmine
- Name meaning: Gift from God.
- About: Jasmine Estates is a city in Florida.
- Popularity: The J name Jasmine ranks #190 and Jazmin ranks #637.
Josephine
- Name meaning: Jehovah increases.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: #64
Juliet
- Name meaning: Youthful.
- About: Mount Juliet is a city near Nashville, TN.
- Popularity: #292
Katy
- Name meaning: Pure.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: This 4-letter girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Kendall
- Name meaning: Valley of the river Kent.
- About: A city in Florida.
- Popularity: This K name ranks #316 for girls.
Kimberly
- Name meaning: From the royal meadow.
- About: Cities in Arkansas, Alabama, and Idaho.
- Popularity: #222
Louisa
- Name meaning: Famous warrior.
- About: Cities in Virginia and Kentucky.
- Popularity: #809
Lucie
- Name meaning: Light.
- About: Port St. Lucie is a city in Florida.
- Popularity: Lucy ranks #40 and Lucie isn’t ranking.
Magnolia
- Name meaning: A tree with large glossy leaves and huge white blossoms.
- About: A city in Texas and Arkansas.
- Popularity: #145
Mckenzie
- Name meaning: Daughter of Kenneth.
- About: A city in Tennessee.
- Popularity: Mackenzie ranks #165, Mckenzie ranks #436, and Makenzie ranks #537.
Margaret
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- About: A city in Alabama.
- Popularity: #132
Marianna
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- About: Cities in Arkansas and Florida.
- Popularity: #885
Marietta
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- About: Cities in Georgia and Ohio.
- Popularity: This name meaning love isn’t ranking.
Melissa
- Name meaning: Honey bee.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: #409
Olga
- Name meaning: Blessed or holy.
- About: A city in Florida.
- Popularity: This short girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Olive
- Name meaning: Fruit of an olive tree.
- About: Mount Olive is a city in North Carolina.
- Popularity: #181
Pearl
- Name meaning: Gem.
- About: A city in Mississippi.
- Popularity: #805
Prairie
- Name meaning: Large open grassland.
- About: Grand Prairie is a city near Dallas, TX.
- Popularity: This P name isn’t ranking.
Raven
- Name meaning: Black bird.
- About: A city in Virginia.
- Popularity: #361
Tansy or Tansi
- Name meaning: Yellow, button-like flowers on a reddish stem.
- About: Lake Tansi is a small city in Tennessee.
- Popularity: This unique T name isn’t ranking.
Tatum
- Name meaning: Bringer of joy. Tata’s homestead.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: This name ranks #226 for girls and #233 for boys.
Tenille or Tennille
- Name meaning: Champion or passionate.
- About: Tennille is a city in Georgia
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this modern name is ranking.
Triana
- Name meaning: Third or three rivers.
- About: A city in Alabama.
- Popularity: This three-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Venus
- Name meaning: Goddess of love and beauty. The second planet from the sun.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: This V name isn’t ranking.
Willow
- Name meaning: Dramatic trees with long hanging branches.
- About: Willow Park is a city in Texas.
- Popularity: #41
Winona
- Name meaning: Firstborn.
- About: Cities in Mississippi and Minnesota.
- Popularity: #881
Wimberly
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- About: A city in Texas.
- Popularity: This W name isn’t ranking.
If you like these southern city names for girls you might also like these southern girl names.
Bonus list: Geographical names
Technically, these aren’t city names, but I thought you might like them! All of these girls’ names have to do with geographical locations.
Callie or Cali
- Name meaning: Beautiful.
- About: Inspired by the state of California.
- Popularity: Callie ranks #179 and Cali ranks #447.
Caroline or Carolina
- Name meaning: Free woman or strong.
- About: North and South Carolina are U.S. states.
- Popularity: Caroline ranks #83 and Carolina ranks #424.
Catalina
- Name meaning: Pure.
- About: Catalina Island is southwest of Los Angeles.
- Popularity: #147
Dakota
- Name meaning: Friend or ally.
- About: North and South Dakota are midwestern states.
- Popularity: #262
Dixie
- Name meaning: Unknown.
- About: Dixie Land is a nickname for the southern U.S.
- Popularity: This 5-letter name hasn’t ranked since 2015.
Georgia
- Name meaning: Farmer.
- About: A state in the southern U.S.
- Popularity: #128
Hudson or Hudsyn
- Name meaning: Child of hud.
- About: A huge river in New York.
- Popularity: Neither of these geographical names is ranked for girls, but Hudson ranks #21 for boys.
Marin
- Name meaning: From Marino, the great chief of the tribe Licatiut.
- About: A stunningly beautiful county near San Francisco.
- Popularity: This great mermaid name isn’t ranking.
Virginia
- Name meaning: Pure.
- About: A mid-Atlantic state.
- Popularity: #560
Will any place names for babies go viral in 2025?
Yes, I believe so!
There are four stand-out names poised for dramatic growth in 2025.
Quincy
As the ‘go-to’ city names for girls like London, Brooklyn, and Paris continue to dominate, Quincy is emerging as a fresh alternative that feels both sophisticated and playful.
The name saw an explosive 170-spot jump in popularity for girls between 2022 and 2023, climbing from #1147 to #977.
While it shares DNA with trendy urban-inspired names, Quincy offers something special: a connection to multiple American cities (in Massachusetts, Illinois, and Florida) while maintaining the sought-after ‘y’ ending that parents love in names like Sydney and Berkeley.
The name cleverly bridges several current trends: it’s a city name, a surname-style choice (like Palmer, which rose 16 spots in 2023), and part of the growing movement of traditionally male names being embraced for girls.
Emory
After quietly entering the rankings at #999 in 2011, this sophisticated place-inspired name has climbed a remarkable 633 spots to reach #366 in 2023.
What’s particularly striking is its most recent movement: a dramatic 102-spot jump from 2022 to 2023 (from #468 to #366) – exactly the kind of acceleration that signals a name is about to take off.
While its cousin Emery sits comfortably at #70, Emory’s less common spelling carries a distinct geographical charm, with namesake towns in both Virginia and Texas lending it that coveted sense of place that’s driving current naming trends (think Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte).
The name benefits from multiple cultural touchpoints: the prestigious Emory University in Atlanta adds academic gravitas, while the charming small towns of Emory, Virginia and Emory, Texas give it that sought-after hometown Americana feel that’s increasingly appealing to parents.
Emory hits a sweet spot in current naming trends: it’s a place name without being obvious, sophisticated but approachable, and has that increasingly popular unisex quality while leaning feminine.
Florence
After nearly vanishing from American birth certificates, Florence has staged a remarkable comeback – climbing 448 spots in just six years (from #969 to #521).
The success of Florence internationally (ranked #8 in England, #20 in New Zealand) demonstrates how place names can transcend their origins to become global favorites.
What makes Florence particularly compelling is its perfect storm of appeal: it combines the vintage charm that’s dominating current trends (like Charlotte at #3) with a connection to one of Italy’s most culturally rich cities.
The visibility of Florence Pugh in 2024’s Dune 2 adds cultural momentum to this geographic gem, suggesting place names could be the next major trend in baby naming.
Alma
Alma has skyrocketed from #2096 to #228 in England & Wales since 1996, with its steepest growth occurring in the last five years.
What makes Alma unique in the landscape of city names for girls is its incredible geographic reach – there are over 20 cities named Alma across the United States alone, plus namesake cities in Australia, Canada, Greece, and Israel.
This global presence mirrors its current international popularity as a given name, ranking in the top 10 in multiple European countries: #3 in Sweden, #4 in Denmark, #7 in France, and #9 in Norway.
Currently ranked #461 in the U.S., Alma sits in the perfect position for viral growth – remarkably similar to where Nova was before its explosive rise to the top 35.
Gal Gadot chose Alma for her daughter in 2011, and Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan followed suit with Alma Bay in 2018.
With its meaning of “soul” in both Latin and Spanish, plus recent pop culture visibility through The Handmaid’s Tale, Alma hits all the markers of a name about to explode.
Don’t be surprised to see Alma in the top 200 by 2025.
City Names for Girls: Trend Analysis
The landscape of city names for girls shows fascinating evolution, with choices ranging from established favorites to emerging global destinations.
Brooklyn (#84) reigns as today’s most popular metropolitan-inspired name, drawing more than 2,800 parents in 2023 alone. The alternative spelling Brooklynn (#373) adds another 800+ babies, showing the enduring appeal of this New York borough.
A clear shift toward international city names emerged in the 2010s. London (#313) blazed this trail, climbing steadily since the 1990s and maintaining strong appeal despite dropping from its 2013 peak at #85.
Paris (#493) demonstrates remarkable staying power, having remained in the top 500 for nearly three decades. Its consistency suggests it’s transitioned from trendy to modern classic among urban baby names.
Sydney (#306) charts one of the most dramatic trajectories among city names for girls – rocketing from obscurity in the 1980s to peak at #23 in 2002, then gradually settling into its current position.
Vienna (#691) represents a newer wave of European city names. Its steady climb from #939 in 2016 suggests growing interest in more sophisticated wanderlust baby names.
Notable 2025 trends include:
- Revival of vintage city names like Florence, which leaped 102 spots this year
- Rise of gender-neutral choices such as Salem (#420) and Denver (#780)
- Emergence of unexpected choices like Quincy, showing parents are looking beyond obvious urban centers
Looking toward late 2025:
- Watch for continued growth of European-inspired names (Florence, Holland)
- Expect more state capitals to gain traction (Salem, Denver)
- Anticipate the rise of smaller city names that offer unique sounds (Alma, Emory)
If you’re drawn to place names for babies, consider that while established choices like Brooklyn show enduring appeal, there’s a whole world of distinctive city names waiting to be discovered.
The source for popularity data is SSN.
This article was originally published on Jan 27, 2022 and was updated on Feb 8, 2025.
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