The Hottest Name in Every State

First impressions matter, and when it comes to meeting someone special, a name can set the tone for the connection that follows. But which names do people consider the hottest across the U.S.?

To uncover the names leaving the biggest impression, we surveyed over 2,400 Americans, asking them to rank their state’s most popular names, as identified by the Social Security Administration. By averaging these rankings, we revealed the hottest masculine and feminine names across every state.

Keep reading to find out if your name made the list and see who’s making a lasting impression in your state!

When it comes to naming trends, certain names seem to capture hearts nationwide. To find out which feminine names people find the most attractive, we surveyed those who are attracted to women, asking them to rank their state’s top five most popular names. After crunching the numbers, we discovered the top-ranked feminine name in each state — and some names stood out more than others.

Across many states, Charlotte emerged as a clear favorite, taking the top spot in 12 states, including Georgia, Illinois, and Tennessee. Amelia also made a strong showing, ranking as the hottest name in nine states, from Colorado to New York.

Interestingly, there’s a growing trend of people gravitating toward classic, vintage names that have stood the test of time. Names like Evelyn, Eleanor, and Lucy — which were once considered old-fashioned — are now being seen as elegant and timeless, with each claiming the top spot in various states. Evelyn ranked first in 5 states, including Ohio and Wisconsin, while Eleanor took the lead in 4 states, including Vermont and Indiana.

Other popular names, like Emma and Isabella, also appeared across multiple states, demonstrating their widespread appeal. But not every state followed the national trends — states like Hawaii and South Dakota went a more unique route, with Isla and Nora claiming the hottest name titles, respectively.

While trends varied from coast to coast, one thing is certain: these names are turning heads and leaving lasting impressions across the country.

Names have the power to make a lasting first impression, and when it comes to male names, some stand out above the rest. For this portion of the survey, we asked individuals attracted to men to rank the top five most popular male names in their state. After analyzing the results, a few names consistently rose to the top, revealing which ones are turning heads and winning hearts across the U.S.

Theodore proved to be the clear favorite, taking the top spot in 15 states, including Illinois, Michigan, and Washington. Known for its vintage charm, Theodore’s resurgence mirrors the trend of bringing back classic names with a modern twist.

Oliver also made a strong showing, leading in 10 states like Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Another example of an old-fashioned name gaining fresh appeal, Oliver has become one of the more attractive names across the U.S.

In states like Texas and California, Santiago captured hearts, standing out as the most attractive name in these areas, while William dominated in the South, claiming the top spot in Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia.

There’s also a notable preference for solid, timeless names like Henry, which ranked first in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Oregon. Names like John and James also stood their ground, representing a classic appeal that hasn’t faded with time.

As with feminine names, there’s a clear trend toward older, more traditional male names — from Theodore to Henry — gaining popularity for their sense of history and sophistication. But distinctive names like Elijah, Ezekiel, and Waylon still managed to capture the top spot in states like Hawaii, New Mexico, and West Virginia, showing that there’s preference for both classic and unique choices in the hearts of Americans.

Whether your name made the list or not, one thing is certain: the right connection goes far beyond first impressions. At The Matchmaking Company, we specialize in helping our clients find meaningful, lasting relationships — starting with that perfect spark. If you’re ready to meet someone who sees you for who you are, beyond just a name, let us help you take the next step. Visit our website today to learn more about our in-person matchmaking services and start your journey to finding the love you deserve.

To identify the hottest names in each state, we started with the five most trending names specific to each state based on Social Security Administration data. We then surveyed residents across the U.S., asking them to rank these names from their state from most to least attractive. By averaging these rankings, we determined the most popular male and female names in each state, as well as the top five overall. A total of 2,430 Americans participated in the survey.