Most Popular Baby Names in Maryland

Every year the Social Security Administration (SSA) compiles the top 1,000 most popular baby names as determined by Social Security number applications. These were the 20 most popular girls' and boys' baby names in Maryland in 2006, the most recent year for which data is available.

The SSA counts each variant spelling as a different name. For instance, Sarah and Sara are numbers 15 and 72, respectively, on Maryland's list.

Maryland's taste in baby names is pretty similar to the nation's, especially in the top 20. The number in parenthesis () to the right of the name reflects that baby name's national rank.

To find an interesting local trend you'll have to dig into the Top 100 Girl Names in Maryland.In 2006 girls' name "Kendall" ranked much higher in Maryland (84) than the nation as a whole (148). In 2006 Maryland's First Lady, the wife of then Gov. Robert Ehrlich, was named Kendall. The name first made an appearance on Maryland's top 100 girls names in 2003, the year Ehrlich took office.

Top 20 Girl Baby Names in Maryland

1. Madison (3)
2. Emily (1)
3. Abigail (6)
4. Emma (2)
5. Ava (5)
6. Isabella (4)
7. Sophia (9)
8. Olivia (7)
9. Hannah (8)
10. . Sarah (15)
11. . Taylor (22)
12. . Ashley (12)
13. . Samantha (10)
14. . Grace (17)
15. . Kayla (26)
16. . Elizabeth (11)
17. . Alexis (14)
18. . Alyssa (19)
19. . Natalie (16)
20. . Chloe (18)

Top 20 Boy Baby Names in Maryland

1. Joshua (3)
2. Michael (2)
3. William (10)
4. Jacob (1)
5. Matthew (5)
6. Ryan (14)
7. Christopher (7)
8. Daniel (6)
9. Andrew (8)
10. . Ethan (4)
11. . Nicholas (17)
12. . John (20)
13. . Alexander (12)
14. . Benjamin (24)
15. . James (16)
16. . Anthony (9)
17. . Noah (15)
18. . Tyler (18)
19. . Joseph (11)
20. . Christian (21)

Top 100 Boy Baby Names in the U.S.
Top 100 Girl Baby Names in the U.S.