Do you know someone born in Georgia since 1994 named Madison, Emily, or Emma? How about William, Christopher, or Michael? As it turns out, these are the top 3 female and male names, respectively, for babies born in the state going back to the mid-1990s.
The Georgia Department of Public Health recently released data on the top baby names born in Georgia for 2025. In a fun, lighthearted animation (inspired by this post), we have charted out the Top 10 names of babies born in Georgia since 1994, when the data were first reported. The animation begins in 1994 and marches forward, one year per animation frame, and counts the cumulative total until the final year in 2025. Note that these data are not broken down by race or ethnicity, as the totals below reflect all female and male births statewide. The color of each bar is a hint at where that particular name will finish in the race. And if your name happens to be Ashley, we have some news for you. But it’s best delivered in animated form:
Ashley begins the race in 1994 as the top female name in Georgia but is gone from the Top 50 by 2015 (note the above animation only shows top 10). Eighteen unique female names appear at some point in the above Top 10 race, with the name Madison finishing the 32-year period as the most popular female name in Georgia. Madison first appeared in the Top 10 list in 1998 but quickly climbed the chart. Emily has remained popular over time, peaking at the top spot in 2003 and holding the lead until 2015, when Madison edged ahead. The name Olivia is the 4th most popular girl name over the 32-year span but didn’t crack the animated Top 10 until 2014. Since that time, Olivia has gained considerable traction as a female name for babies born in Georgia.
And now for the boys’ baby name race:
A total of 14 unique boy names enter (or exit) the Top 10 at some point in the race, with the name William pulling ahead for a comfortable victory at just over 26,000 total births in the state between 1994 and 2025. The name Joshua experienced a run from 2006 to 2022 as the second-most popular boy name in the state but has been overtaken in the years since by the likes of Christopher, Michael, and James.
Expectant parents of boys, take note: Liam and Noah are surging statewide (top 2 male baby names of 2024 and 2025), so now is the time to decide if you want to keep that trend going or start a new one! And if you’re struggling with a choice of names, remember that a Rose (or a Lily, Violet, or Jasmine for that matter) by any other name would smell as sweet.