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American Place Names

American baby names come from a range of sources, just like Americans themselves. There are Native American baby names, American place names for babies, names important in American history and namesakes for American heroes and artists, and baby names invented by Americans and used primarily in the US.

Along with Savannah and Lincoln, American baby names ranking in the US Top 100 include Madison, Maverick, and Kennedy. Unique American names gaining visibility range from Denali, the name of Alaska's highest peak, to Jaxton, an American invention.

We are using the word American here in its generic sense, referring to the US only. We realize Canada and Mexico along with several other countries are part of America or more specifically North America. Also, many names popular in the US such as Emma and Liam, while widely used names for American babies, are not included on this list as they have different etymological origins and are not identified as uniquely American.

Here, a curated selection of the best American baby names.

Zuma

Meaning: peace

Origin:American place-name and Arabic
15174
Zuma

Meaning: peace

Origin:American place-name and Arabic
9922
Utah The baby name Utah belongs to the Native Ame...
Origin:Place-name
12197
Utah The baby name Utah belongs to the Native Ame...
Origin:Place-name
10174
York

Meaning: from the yew estate

Origin:English
3432
Arizona

Meaning: little springs

Origin:Place-name from Papago Indian
3030
Rainier

Meaning: wise army

Origin:German
1322
Hanalei

Meaning: crescent bay or garland valley

Origin:Hawaiian
14516
Camden

Meaning: winding valley

Origin:Scottish
458
Boston The meaning of Boston is 'from St. Botolf's ...
Origin:Place-name
1963
Gary

Meaning: spearman

Origin:English
2099
Prescott

Meaning: priest's cottage

Origin:English
2549
Prescott

Meaning: priest's cottage

Origin:English surname
13467
Princeton

Meaning: princely town

Origin:English
3305
Origin:English place name
9729
Origin:English place name
4538
Sequoia

Meaning: sparrow

Origin:Native American, Cherokee
2188
Sequoia The name Sequoia, suitable for all genders, ...
Origin:Native American
8050
Eugene

Meaning: wellborn, noble

Origin:Greek
360
Maui Maui is a popular name for boys of Hawaiian ...
Origin:Hawaiian, Polynesian mythology
5313