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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.

Yuma

Meaning: son of a chief

Origin:North American Indian
3374
Tex A name of American origin, the meaning of Te...
Origin:Place-name, nickname for state of Texas resident
3773
Yosemite

Meaning: those who kill

Origin:Native American tribal name
4216
Tucson Parents who love an uncommon name for their ...
Origin:American place-name
7537
Berkeley

Meaning: where birches grow

Origin:English
5666
Burbank

Meaning: riverbank where burrs grow

Origin:English
6129
Lafayette

Meaning: faith

Origin:French
1058
Origin:Place-name
4130
Origin:Place-name
14263
Pierre Stone
Origin:French variation of Peter
1387
Macon The meaning of Macon is ‘mason, to make’ and...
Origin:French place-name
6758
Bronx The meaning of Bronx as an American origin n...
Origin:Place name
1717
Trenton

Meaning: Trent's town

Origin:English, place-name
1883
Richmond

Meaning: powerful protector

Origin:German
2199
Chicago

Meaning: wild garlic

Origin:American place name, Algonquin
4514
Chicago

Meaning: wild garlic

Origin:American place name, Algonquin
0
Melrose

Meaning: bare promontory

Origin:Scottish surname
1988
Columbus

Meaning: dove

Origin:Variation of Columbo or Columbia, Latin
6136
Lansing

Meaning: son of Lans; family of Wlanc

Origin:Dutch and English surname
6190
California The meaning of California is 'mythical land'...
Origin:Place-name
6191