Here are the state names that were used most frequently for babies in 2009, listed according to popularity. (All data comes from the U.S. Social Security Administration.)
- Dakota, as in South Dakota and North Dakota. 2,537 babies (1,176 baby girls, 1,361 baby boys) were named Dakota.
- Georgia. 968 baby girls named Georgia.
- Carolina, as in South Carolina and North Carolina. 818 baby girls named Carolina.
- Virginia, as in Virginia and West Virginia. 484 baby girls named Virginia.
- Jersey, as in New Jersey. 226 babies (218 baby girls, 8 baby boys) were named Jersey.
- Montana. 158 babies (128 baby girls, 30 baby boys) were named Montana.
- Indiana. 52 babies (26 baby girls, 26 baby boys) were named Indiana.
- Nevada. 40 babies (33 baby girls, 7 baby boys) were named Nevada.
- Arizona. 34 baby girls named Arizona.
- Kansas. 26 baby girls named Kansas.
- Alabama. 19 baby girls named Alabama.
- Alaska. 19 baby girls named Alaska.
- California. 14 baby girls named California.
- Tennessee. 13 babies (7 baby girls, 6 baby boys) were named Tennessee.
- Texas. 11 baby boys were named Texas.
- Washington. 6 baby boys named Washington.
- York, as in New York. 5 baby boys named York.
These state names were each given to fewer than 5 babies in 2009, but were used more often in years past.
- Colorado, given to 6 baby boys in 2008.
- Utah, given to 6 baby boys in 2008.
- Louisiana, given to 5 baby girls in 2007.
- Missouri, given to 5 baby girls in 2007.
- Nebraska, given to 5 baby girls in 1997.
- Florida, given to 5 baby girls in 1994.
- Iowa, given to 5 baby girls in 1921.
The remaining U.S. states, rarely (if ever) used as inspiration for baby names, are Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
