Washington’s Top 10 Baby Names For 2023: Revealed

Photo bySincerely MediaonUnsplash

Every year, certain names gain popularity, influenced by various factors such as pop-culture trends and common family names. In the state of Washington, the top baby names for 2023 reflect this pattern.

Among the most popular names in Washington during this year were Oliver and Olivia, closely followed by Sophia, Liam, Evelyn, and Noah. It's worth noting that these names were also commonly favored in Washington in 2022.

1. Oliver:

Starting with a name that has consistently topped the charts, Oliver's origins can be traced back to the Latin word for "olive tree." This name has a long history, dating back to England in the 13th century.

2. Olivia:

Olivia is the female variant of the name Oliver. This name has gained prominence through various pop-culture references, such as Shakespeare's character in the play "Twelfth Night." Additionally, there have been notable book characters and famous actors named Olivia.

3. Emma:

Next on the list is Emma, derived from the Germanic word "ermen," meaning "whole" or "universal." With its sweet connotations, Emma has been associated with historical figures like Emma of Normandy and Jane Austen's literary character.

4. Sophia:

The name Sophia finds its roots in the Greek word for "wisdom." It was a common name during the Middle Ages in Europe and gained further popularity through associations with St. Sophia. While the masculine form, Sphus, is less common, Sophia remains a widely used name.

5. Liam:

Liam originates from the Irish language, signifying "strong warrior" and "protector." It is a shortened form of "Uilliam," which itself stems from the traditional name "William."

6. Evelyn:

Evelyn's anglicized version comes from the French surname "Avaline," which combines the meanings of "Eve" and "Lynn," representing "desired," "island in the water," "wished for," "little bird," "strength," and "hazelnut." Evelyn can also be seen as a variation of the name "Ava," another shortened form of "Avaline."

7. Noah:

Noah has its origins in the Hebrew word "Noach," meaning "rest." It also has roots in Babylonian with the word "nukhu." Widely recognized as a Biblical name from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, Noah is commonly used for boys in the United States, while other countries employ it for both genders.

8. Lucas:

The name Lucas derives from the Greek name "Loukas." In Italian, it translates to "man from Luciana" and "light." The Latin variant of Lucas, "bringer of light," has given rise to derivatives such as Luke, Luca, and Luka. Luke, specifically, is associated with the Biblical character and the patron saint of Artisans.

9. Benjamin:

Another name with Biblical origins, Benjamin, is the youngest son of Jacob in the Old Testament. In Hebrew, Benjamin translates to "son of the right hand," with "Ben" meaning "son," and "yāmīn" denoting the "right side."

10. Mia:

Mia is a diminutive form of the names Maria and Miryam. It can also be linked to the ancient Egyptian word "Mr," meaning "beloved." In Italian, "Mia" translates to "mine." Furthermore, it can serve as an abbreviation of the Israeli name Michal and, in Japanese, "Mio" signifies "beautiful" or "cherry." By adding an "a" to "Mio," we arrive at the name Mia.