Over the last 20 years, travel-inspired baby names have increased by 14% in the US, according to data compiled by the travel and luggage storage company Bounce. That’s a huge boost, making these appellations one of the biggest trends of this generation. The company looked at travel names in the US and UK and found that these types of names are much more popular in the US. Travel names are sometimes called destination names as they also belong to cities and countries around the world.
We’ve combed through the data compiled by Bounce to bring you the most popular travel-inspired baby names today. We’ll start with girls then move on to boys and then look at the types of names and whether they belong to cities or countries. Travel-inspired names have become so popular because new parents today are more adventurous than ever before. That’s true for their lifestyles but also for the baby names they are choosing right now. Further, many of these names read as unisex which is another huge baby name trend at the moment. Discover the US’s most popular travel baby names below.
Most Popular Travel-Inspired Names for Girls in the US
10. Asia – Baby Girls Named: 14,589. One of the few travel-inspired names that belongs to an entire continent.
9. Skye – Baby Girls Named: 14,856. A name belonging to a picturesque island off the coast of Scotland.
Most Popular Travel-Inspired Names for Girls Continued
8. Journey – Baby Girls Named: 15,317. An adventure and travel name on the rise today, Journey is the 267th most popular name for girls in the US today.
7. Guadalupe – Baby Girls Named: 18,918. A popular Spanish name that relates to the patron saint of Mexico. There are many places with this name including an island off the coast of Mexico, a mountain range, and many more.
Other Popular Travel-Inspired Names in the US for Girls
6. Carolina – Baby Girls Named: 19,218. A name that has been on a downward trend in recent years, Carolina now ranks just outside the top 500 most popular names for girls in the US.
5. Paris – Baby Girls Named: 22,058. A unisex name belonging to the capital of France, Paris is a top 500 name for girls in the US today. Unfortunately, it goes to very few boys.
More Popular Travel Baby Names for Girls in the US
4. Dakota – Baby Girls Named: 27,665. Dakota is an extremely popular unisex option that goes roughly to an equal amount of baby girls and boys each year in the US.
3. London – Baby Girls Named: 37,419. The capital of the UK has been a very popular choice for girls and that’s less for boys.
Final Travel-Inspired Names for Girls in the US
2. Alexandria – Baby Girls Named: 41,132. Alexandria is the second most common girls’ travel baby name. The city of Alexandria in Egypt was home to some of the wonders of the ancient world.
1. Sydney – Baby Girls Named: 105,777. The name inspired by the Australian city, Sydney, peaked in popularity for girls in 1999 as the 23rd most popular name. It’s been slipping in recent years but it’s still in the top 250.
Most Popular Travel-Inspired Baby Names for Boys in the US
10. London – Baby Boys Named: 7,137. As with girls, the capital of the UK is a popular choice for boys as well. However, this name has been trending down for boys in recent years.
9. Boston – Baby Boys Named: 7,541. The capital of Massachusettes proves more masculine in sound than many other travel-inspired baby names. It is going to take a long time for girls named Boston to catch up.
Other Popular Travel Names for Boys
8. Atlas – Baby Boys Named: 8,611. One of the fastest-growing names for boys, Atlas took off in 2013 and will likely be a top 100 name this year. The name is of Greek origin and means “bearer of the heaven.” A perfect option for travel-loving parents.
7. Orlando – Baby Boys Named: 12,495. Orlando peaked in the US in 1975 but it is still a mildly popular option today. The name belongs to a sunny city that houses Disney World, one of the most popular travel destinations for families from around the world.
More Trendy Travel-Inspired Names for Boys
6. Phoenix – Baby Boys Named: 17,165. The name belonging to the capital of Arizona, Phoenix is a name on the rise for both boys and girls today. It goes to roughly the same number of boys and girls each year.
5. Dallas – Baby Boys Named: 21,846. Dallas has been a popular given name in the US ever since data on baby names begin in 1880. The Texas city has a name that originated in Irish that means “skilled.”
Travel-Inspired Names for Boys Continued
4. Kingston – Baby Boys Named: 33,146. Kingston is a name that’s always read more masculine than feminine. Kingston upon Thames in London, Kingston in Jamaica, and Kingston in Ontario are all possible inspirations.
3. Israel – Baby Boys Named: 33,380. Israel has seen its two most popular decades in the 2000s and 2010s. It continues to be a solid choice for American parents and has been since 1880.
Final Travel-Inspired Names for Boys
2. Dakota – Baby Boys Named: 38,665. As we mentioned when we discussed this name for girls, it is popular for all babies at the same rate. This unisex wonder is one of America’s most beloved travel baby names.
1. Preston – Baby Boys Named: 56,922. Preston names any number of places in England, Canada, Scotland, Australia, and the US. Countless possibilities for place inspiration for this appellation.
Most Popular Country Names Used as Baby Names
10. China – Baby Boys Named: 0. Baby Girls Named: 996. Total: 996. As you can see, no baby boys are getting the name China but so many girls are that it made the top 10. The name peaked in the US in 1992 and it has been on a downward trend since then.
9. Trinidad – Baby Boys Named: 717. Baby Girls Named: 397. Total: 1,114. A town in Cuba and an island country in the Caribbean, Trinidad is a name of Spanish origin that means “holy trinity.”
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More Country Names Used as Baby Names
8. Italy – Baby Boys Named: 0. Baby Girls Named: 1,489. Total: 1,489. Italy is the English name for the boot-shaped country that prefers Italia. It is mildly popular for baby girls in the US.
7. Egypt – Baby Boys Named: 519. Baby Girls Named: 3,162. Total: 3,681. Egypt emerged as a favored name in 2017 and it has hung around ever since.
Other Popular Country Names as Baby Names
6. Ireland – Baby Boys Named: 85. Baby Girls Named: 5,150. Total: 5,235. Ireland only goes to a few boys each year.
5. Malaysia – Baby Boys Named: 0. Baby Girls Named: 8,154. Total: 8,154. For girls, it has been a prized option since 1998 with parents who have Irish heritage proudly choosing the name for their daughters.
Even More Country Names That Are Popular as Baby Names
4. America – Baby Boys Named: 0. Baby Girls Named: 8,876. Total: 8,876. One of the travel baby names that hits close to home is America. The name went virtually unused in the US for 90 years before it returned for girls in 1998.
3. Kenya – Baby Boys Named: 312. Baby Girls Named: 8,815. Total: 9,127. Kenya, the country, gets its name from Mount Kenya, called “Kirinyaga” or “Kerenyaga” by the local Kikuyu people, meaning “mountain of whiteness” because of its snow-capped peak. As given name, it’s seeing love from parents with baby girls.
Final Travel-Inspired Country Names as Baby Names
2. India – Baby Boys Named: 0. Baby Girls Named: 9,207. Total: 9,207. India is decidedly feminine in its sound. It peaked in 2001 and is not as popular as it once was. The country India takes its name from the Indus River.
1. Isreal – Baby Boys Named: 33,380. Baby Girls Named: 2,893. Total: 36,273. Israel has been a popular name in the US since at least the 1880s (the Puritans actually popularized it first in the US). After the formation of the Jewish state, the name became even more popular in the US. Israel was the name bestowed by God upon Jacob after he wrestled with an angel. The name means “he who struggles with God.”
Most Popular City Names as Baby Names
10. Nairobi – Baby Boys Named: 5. Baby Girls Named: 563. Total: 568. The capital of Kenya is given to a few hundred children each year. However, the name does not rank in the US top 1000. It’s lovely to see that both Kenya and its capital are inspiring many baby names
9. Havana – Baby Boys Named: 0. Baby Girls Named: 1,150. Total: 1,150. With its rhythmic sound, the Cuban capital makes for a truly remarkable baby name and parents believe so for girls and girls alone.
More Popular City Names as Baby Names
8. Berlin – Baby Boys Named: 147. Baby Girls Named: 1,250. Total: 1,387. The capital city of Germany means “borderline.” New parents are just now seeing the name as a real possibility and it will likely grow in popularity for the rest of the decade.
7. Hamilton – Baby Boys Named: 1,523. Baby Girls Named: 63. Total: 1,586. Hamilton is the capital city of Bermuda. The name comes from English and Scottish origins and means “treeless hill.” It was most popular in the US for boys prior to 1933.
Even More Popular City Names Used for Babies
6. Rome – Baby Boys Named: 2,009. Baby Girls Named: 309. Total: 2,318. For travel lovers, there is no better place to visit in Europe than Rome. The city is rich in history, art, and culture. The name is on the rise today in the US, especially for boys.
5. Vienna – Baby Boys Named: 0. Baby Girls Named: 3,862. Total: 3,862. Yes, there is a town in Virginia with the name, but this travel name is inspired by the capital of Austria. The name first landed in the top 1000 in 2015 and it has been hanging on ever since.
These City Names Are Some of the Most Popular Names in the US Today
4. Cairo – Baby Boys Named: 4,234. Baby Girls Named: 322. Total: 4,556. Cairo is a hit of a name for boys today. We are so pleased that travel-loving parents have turned to it as well as Egypt. The name is more popular than ever before for baby boys.
3. Paris – Baby Boys Named: 1,967. Baby Girls Named: 22,058. Total: 24,025. Paris was once a popular name for boys in the US but that all changed thanks to Paris Hilton who helped make the gender flip to girls. The romantic French city is a traveler’s paradise so it’s no surprise that this name is and will be a hot one.
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Final Popular City-Inspired Baby Names
2. Kingston – Baby Boys Named: 33,146. Baby Girls Named: 1,050. Total: 34,196. The capital of Jamaica, Kingston is tracking to land in the top 100 most popular names for boys in the next year or two. Parents are falling back in love with this stately classic.
1. London – Baby Boys Named: 7,137. Baby Girls Named: 37,419. Total: 44,556. London emerged as a popular name for girls in 1994 and it rocketed up the list until the 2010s. American travelers love visiting this history-rich city and slapping its name on birth certificates. The US is the only English-speaking country where the name is popular!
There you go! Did any of these names surprise you? We hope you found these trending baby names to be interesting and if you are looking for a name for your baby, worthy of your consideration as well. For even more baby names inspired by travel, take a look at our favorite city names below.
25. London
London sounds stately and is a gender-neutral baby name that imparts dignity and style. The Mayor of San Francisco London Breed is a famous example. London comes from the Indo-European word, plowonida and means “fast-flowing river.”
24. Juneau
Okay, you could spell it, Juno. But, we love the capital city of Alaska, Juneau! Juneau is a sprawling city that includes a channel, mountains, and the Alaskan wilderness just beyond its borders. The name belonged to Joe Juneau, a gold prospector from Quebec. Juneau has French origins and means “young one.”
23. Jackson
There’s a city named Jackson in just about every state. Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash sang about Jackson, Tennessee. But, the largest Jackson is in Mississippi. The name is most popular in America but it’s also a common moniker in Scotland where it means “jack’s son.”
22. Savannah
Savannah is a beautiful coastal city in Georgia that has some of the most incredible colonial-style architecture in the US. Savannah is a Spanish name. The Spanish word was borrowed from the Taino word zabana. It means “treeless plain.”
21. Denver
Named for James W. Denver, Denver is Colorado’s capital city. Denver makes an excellent name for both boys and girls. Denver has Old English and French origins and means “green valley.”
20. Chelsea
Chelsea is one of the most beloved neighborhoods in New York City. The impressive neighborhood is home to hundreds of galleries and boutique shops. Chelsea is also the name of a neighborhood in London that’s also known for similar attractions. Chelsea comes from Old English and means “chalk wharf.” Ha!
19. Sydney
Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. While the spelling, Sydney is more popular for girls, we think it still works for boys too. The name Sydney has French origins and means Saint-Denis.
18. Bristol
Bristol is located in Southwestern England and has an incredible name! We’ve only ever heard Bristol used as a girl’s name and it famously belongs to Bristol Palin (unfortunately). The name has roots in Old English and refers to “the place near a bridge.”
17. Brooklyn
One of the (best) of the 5 boroughs of New York City, Brooklyn is known worldwide. It’s also become a popular name for both boys and girls. Victoria Beckham and David Beckham have a son named Brooklyn. It’s a very hip name and we think it would be perfect for your little one.
16. Cheyenne
Cheyenne is the name of one of two tribes of indigenous people of the Great Plains and also the name of the capital of Wyoming, one of the most gorgeous states in the US. Cheyenne is a gorgeous name for girls and would be an excellent choice.
15. Camden
The name Camden is a boy’s name of Scottish origin meaning “winding valley.” Camden Town is a hip area of London, noted for its busy open-air market. It is also a city in New Jersey. The name has really taken off over the last decade and we’d love to see that continue.
14. Bronx
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz put this new baby name on the map when they chose this New York borough name for their son. What a choice! We think parents can go even further and use this name for girls too. This name offers a lot of versatility.
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13. Dublin
Dublin is an exciting boy’s name that obviously comes from Ireland. It’s the capital and largest city in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin comes from Gaelic dubh linn and means “black pool.” Don’t let that scare you away! Dublin is a handsome name that would be an excellent moniker.
12. Siena
Siena is a soft and delicate Tuscan town name that’s warm and inviting. This Italian city is named for an ancient Etruscan Tribe and its translation from Latin means “to be old.” We like the spelling Siena over Sienna and think both make great names for baby girls.
11. Echo
Echo Park, anyone? This gorgeous park and neighborhood in Los Angeles is a favorite spot in central LA. Echo has roots in Greek and Latin and means “reflected sound.” In mythology, Echo was a nymph who loved Narcissus and faded away until only her voice was left behind. Although the name has traditionally been given to girls, we think it would be cool for boys too!
10. Florence
The name Florence is a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning “flourishing” or “prosperous”. In Italy, Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region and home to some of the most prized art and architecture in the entire world. Works from Giotto to Michelangelo can be found in this stunning city.
9. Berlin
The edgy German capital makes for an attractive and trendy name for boys. Berlin means “borderline.” Berlin is known as a place where artists and independent thinkers thrive. We love this name for boys, but it could absolutely work for girls as well.
8. Charlotte
Charlotte is a girl’s name of French origin meaning “free man”. Charlotte is also the name of the sprawling and largest city in North Carolina. The name is elegant enough for royalty so it’s probably good enough for your child!
7. Roman
Rome is the eternal city and home to the beating heart of Italy. The names Roman and Roma are two excellent ones that mean “citizen of Rome.” The name, Roman has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to celebrities like Cate Blanchett choosing the name for her son.
6. Phoenix
Mel B AKA Scary Spice (AKA the best Spice) chose the name Pheonix for her daughter in 1999. This stunning Greek name means “dark red” and it also is the name of the capital of Arizona. Phoenix is a sprawling city and it covers such a big area that it’s also known as “the Valley of the Sun.”
5. York
Crisp, clean, and stately York is a phenomenal baby name. This British royal family name is a touch formal and brusque but we love it! York works best as a boy’s name and it means “from the yew [a coniferous tree which has red berrylike fruits] estate.”
4. Sicily
Sicily is a girl’s name of Italian origin. The Sicels were a tribe or people that settled on the Island and where the name comes from. Sicily’s largest city is Palermo. Although not technically a city, we loved the name Sicily so much we added it to the list! Sicily is a welcome alternative to names like Cecily or Cecelia.
3. Paris
What a classic. Paris, of course, is the city of romance and is a major cultural hub of Europe. Paris is a gender-neutral name and it sounds great no matter who it belongs too. Paris was Helen of Troy’s lover in Greek mythology.
2. Aspen
Aspen is a name we love for girls. Aspen is a magical mountain, ski town in Colorado that’s absolutely one of our favorite places in the world. It’s also one of our favorite names. Aspen is also the name of a graceful tree in the poplar family with heart-shaped leaves.
1. Pike
Okay, so we love Seattle but we just didn’t think it worked as a baby’s name. Pike Place Market is a public market overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington. Pike is also the name of a mountain named for Zebulon Pike. The name is of English origin and means “fish.” We love this name for baby boys that honors the city of Seattle, wildlife, and Pike’s peak.
These amazing city-inspired names are classy and because they’re associated with places, come with so much street cred. Your favorite city probably has an esteemed name for you to draw inspiration from. Look to those names for individuality and character for your baby’s name.