You’ve definitely met a Savannah. Or maybe an Austin. Heck, you might even have a cousin named Brooklyn who has never actually set foot in New York. For a long time, naming your kid after a map coordinate was the ultimate "cool parent" move. It felt modern, it felt travel-inspired, and it felt uniquely American. But honestly, the story of people whose first names are US cities is way weirder than just a bunch of parents liking the vibe of a certain skyline.
We tend to think this is a new thing, a byproduct of the 90s and 2000s celebrity culture. We blame David and Victoria Beckham for naming their son Brooklyn in 1999, or we look at Kim Kardashian and Kanye West naming their daughter Chicago. But the truth is, this trend is basically a giant loop. Many of these "city names" were actually people's names first. The cities were named after the people, and now, a couple of centuries later, we’re naming the people back after the cities. It’s a bit of a linguistic tail-chase.
The Celebrity Catalyst and the "Brooklyn" Effect
When people whose first names are US cities started popping up on kindergarten rosters in the early 2000s, there was a clear source of inspiration. Celebrities. It wasn't just the Beckhams. Think about Bryce Dallas Howard. Her middle name is the city where she was conceived (a bit of TMI from her father, Ron Howard, but hey, it's a fact).
Then you have the A-listers who carry these names themselves.
- Orlando Bloom: Named after the 17th-century composer Orlando Gibbons, though most people just think of Disney World and oranges.
- Austin Butler: Carrying a name that was the 10th most popular boy's name in the US back in 1996.
- Savannah Guthrie: A name that feels deeply Southern, rooted in the moss-draped oaks of Georgia.
- Dakota Fanning: Using a name that translates to "friend" or "ally" in the Sioux language.
But why these specific places? You don't see many kids named "Scranton" or "Bakersfield" running around. There’s a specific "curation" happening. Parents usually pick cities that evoke a certain lifestyle—wealth, grit, sun, or history.
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The Weird History of "Reversed" Names
It's kinda funny when you realize that names like Austin, Lincoln, and Jackson aren't actually "city names" in the original sense. They are surnames.
Stephen F. Austin founded the Texas colony. Abraham Lincoln was, well, Lincoln. Andrew Jackson was a president long before Jacksonville or Jackson, Mississippi, existed. When we name a kid Jackson today, are we naming them after the 7th President, or are we naming them after the capital of Mississippi? Usually, it's the latter. We've stripped the personhood away from the name and turned it into a destination, then tried to turn it back into a person.
Take the name Madison. Before the 1984 movie Splash, Madison was almost exclusively a boy’s name or a last name (think James Madison). In the movie, Daryl Hannah’s mermaid character sees a sign for Madison Avenue in New York and picks it as her name. It was a joke in the script—the joke being that "Madison" was a ridiculous name for a girl. The joke failed. Parents loved it. Within a decade, it was a top-ten name for girls across the country.
Why Certain Cities "Work" and Others Don't
There is a hierarchy in the world of people whose first names are US cities. You have the "Gold Standard" names that have become so common we almost forget they are places.
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- Charlotte: It’s the biggest city in North Carolina, but it’s also a classic, elegant name that has stayed in the top 10 for years.
- Austin: It feels rugged and "Texas-cool," but it actually has Latin roots meaning "magnificent."
- Savannah: It peaked in popularity in the late 90s, riding a wave of Southern charm.
- Phoenix: This one is rising (pun intended). It’s seen as gender-neutral and edgy.
Then you have the "Aspirational" names. These are the ones that signal a specific vibe. Aspen screams "I ski on the weekends." Charleston says "I own at least three pairs of boat shoes." Sedona feels like you definitely own a collection of healing crystals.
But then there’s the "Flyover" problem. You’ll almost never meet a kid named Omaha or Wichita. Why? Basically, because those names don't fit the current phonetic trends. Right now, American parents love names that end in "n" sounds (Jackson, Lincoln, Trenton) or "a" sounds (Dakota, Savannah). Cities like Detroit or Milwaukee just don't have that "baby-soft" ring to them.
The Rise of the "Micro-City" Name
Recently, we’ve seen a shift away from the big-name metropolises. People are looking for something more "boutique."
- Laramie: A Wyoming city that's seeing a tiny uptick in use.
- Raleigh: Finding its way onto more birth certificates as a softer alternative to Riley.
- Dayton: A classic Ohio city name that fits the "two-syllable boy name" trend perfectly.
Is This Trend Dying Out?
Not really, but it's evolving. The data from the Social Security Administration shows that while "Brooklyn" has dipped slightly from its peak, names like Lincoln and Hudson are still skyrocketing.
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Interestingly, there's a divide in how these names are used. A study by psychologists actually found that parents in the Western US—places like Montana and Wyoming—are the most likely to choose "frontier" names or unique place names. It’s a way of signaling independence. Meanwhile, in more crowded coastal areas, these names are often seen as a way to "brand" a child with a sense of adventure from day one.
The Reality of Living with a City Name
Honestly, it’s not always easy. If your name is Dallas, you are going to get asked if you like the Cowboys every single Sunday for the rest of your life. If your name is Vegas (yes, it happens), people are going to make assumptions about your parents' vacation habits.
There’s also the "Local Confusion" factor. If you live in Seattle and your name is Everett (a city just north of there), people will constantly ask if you’re "from there." Most people whose first names are US cities actually end up living nowhere near their namesake. It’s safer that way.
Actionable Insights for Choosing a Place Name
If you're actually thinking about naming a human after a zip code, keep these three things in mind:
- Check the Phonetics: Does it sound like a name, or does it sound like a bus stop? "Trenton" works because it follows the "Ending in N" rule. "Albuquerque" does not.
- Research the History: Ensure the city wasn't named after someone truly awful. You're giving your kid that legacy.
- Consider the Nickname: A kid named "Houston" is going to be called "Huey" or "House." Make sure you're okay with that.
The trend of people whose first names are US cities isn't going anywhere. It’s a permanent part of the American naming landscape. Whether it's a nod to family roots or just a love for a certain skyline, these names carry a sense of place that traditional names like John or Mary just can't match. Just maybe stay away from naming your kid "Jersey City."
If you want to track how these names are trending in real-time, the Social Security Administration's baby name database is the gold standard for verifying which cities are currently winning the popularity contest. Focus on names that have a clear historical namesake to ensure the name feels timeless rather than just a passing fad.