Urban cool baby names

We all have happy memories of growing up either in the big city or small-town soemwhere, and the places we live help shape the adults (and parents!) we become. So what about naming your baby after your own home town?

The Social Security Administration reports that the trend for naming babies after cities is growing – for example, the name London wasn’t even in the top 1000 baby names a few years ago, but in 2007 it was number 284 for girls. David Beckham named his son Brooklyn; and while Paris has always floated around the top 1000, celeb Paris Hilton has given that French city a new lease on life when it comes to the name game.

You might even think about naming your baby after an American state you have visited – Arizona, Dakota, Georgia, Virginia, Carolina and Montana are popular names for girls, while Nevada has been used as a boy’s name. Just think: every time you call your child it could remind you of rolling hills, misty valleys, snowcapped mountains or the big, endless sky!

Never been to the US? Here are soem ideas for cool American town names you could put on your baby name list. Here are gurgle’s top 10 for girls and boys for you to browse through, with their official ranking so you can guess how many other mums and dads might be likely to choose the same name for their baby…

For girls:

Alexandria (Virginia)
Aurora (Illinois)
Campbell (California)
Charlotte (North Carolina)
Cheyenne (Wyoming)
Helena (Montana)
Logan (Utah)
Madison (Wisconsin)
Phoenix (Arizona)
Savannah (Georgia)

For boys:

Austin (Texas)
Boston (Massachussetts)
Chandler (Arizona)
Cody (Wyoming)
Dallas (Texas)
Dayton (Ohio)
Jackson (Mississippi)
Memphis (Tennessee)
Mitchell (South Dakota)
Trenton (New Jersey)

And how about UK and Ireland place names? Here's our top ten:

1. London
2. Isla
3. Skye
4. Preston
5. Devon
6. Shannon
7. Chester
8. Kerry
9. Harlow
10. Charlton

Email us with your top ten... click here

Still stuck? See our baby namer for a database of thousands of names, and read naming your baby, tropical baby names and exotic baby names for more inspiration; plus baby name do’s and don’ts for more tips on how to choose the perfect baby name. Twins on the way? Check out our tips for naming two babies.

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Last Modified: 02/12/2009