2020’s Most Popular Baby Names For Virginia, DC Parents

WASHINGTON, DC — Charlotte and Liam were the most popular names given to babies born in Virginia in 2020, according to recently released federal data. In the District of Columbia, Olivia and William were the top names parents chose.

The U.S. Social Security Administration on Thursday revealed its annual list that shows the top baby names in every state. In total, 504 babies born in Virginia were named Liam, while 453 were named Charlotte, records show.

Here are the top 10 female names in Virginia last year:

1. Charlotte
2. Olivia
3. Ava
4. Emma
5. Amelia
6. Sophia
7. Isabella
8. Elizabeth
9. Harper
10. Evelyn

These were the top 10 male names in the Commonwealth in 2020:

1. Liam
2. Noah
3. William
4. James
5. Oliver
6. Henry
7. Elijah
8. Lucas
9. Jackson
10. Benjamin

Charlotte rose by one spot this year, replacing 2019 top name Ava as the most popular name in our state. Meanwhile, Liam was also the most popular name for boys in 2019.

Here are the top 10 female names in the District last year:

1. Olivia
2. Ava
3. Charlotte
4. Emma
5. Eleanor
6. Maya
7. Elizabeth
8. Isabella
9. Evelyn
10. Nora

These were the top 10 male names in the District in 2020:

1. William
2. Noah
3. James
4. John
5. Henry
6. Theodore
7. Jack
8. Liam
9. Charles
10. Benjamin

Nationally, Liam once again was the top male name, followed by Noah and Oliver. Olivia also marked its second consecutive year as the top female name, followed by Emma and Ava.

The Social Security Administration started releasing the annual list in 1997, with names dating back to 1880. The agency also notes that popular culture influences baby names.

Over the past 100 years, the male name Michael has held the top spot most often at 44 times, while the female name Mary has been ranked No. 1 for 35 times over the same period.