California
Feminine
California entered the US charts in 1918, peaked at #4291 in 1918, is rarely given in 2025 — given to only a few children a year.
How old is the name California?
California first appears in US birth records in 1918 — 107 years ago. The typical California alive today was born around 2012, making them about 13 years old. About 300 people named California are estimated to be alive in the US today.
When was the name California most popular?
California peaked in 1918, reaching #4291 nationally. See the whole 1918 chart.
What the data says
146 years of official birth records
The long climb, and where it stands now
The same years in position rather than babies
- First recorded
- 1918
- Most girls named
- 200716 — the highest on record
- Peak rank
- #4291reached in 1918
- Change vs 2023
- 0.0%5 in 2024, from 5
Rank is a position, a count is a headcount, and they move independently — a name can hold its rank while the number of babies behind it falls. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration.
California in other languages
Strongest US states over the last decade: California.
Californias among us
people named California are estimated to be alive in the US today
Estimated from SSA birth records and published actuarial life tables. Method
Is it right for you
Questions parents actually ask
Fashion outlook
California sits outside the current charts, and that is its own kind of answer: naming cycles can only date the names they carried up. A name this rare has no decade stamped on it — it cannot go out of fashion, because it was never in.
Based on 146 years of naming cycles. How we read them
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What they receive
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California
Feminine
Frequently asked
- How many Californias are there in the world?
- No country counts the world's names, so there is no worldwide figure — anyone quoting one is estimating. About 300 people named California are estimated to be alive in the US today.
- How popular is the name California in 2025?
- California is rarely given in the US today — it does not rank in the top 2000 girl names.
- Will my child share the name California with classmates?
- California will almost certainly be the only one in school.
More C names
The most-given names starting with C, all years combined.
Carol#2239 · Cynthia#1013 · Catherine#313 · Christine#1272 · Carolyn#1222 · Christina#770 · Charlotte#2 · Cheryl#4352
Looking for what else is popular rather than what resembles California? See the current top 100.
Choosing between California and another name?
See them side by side — full stats, history and a gentle verdict.
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Cast your vote
Which one would you pick?
Your gut first, the numbers after — the split shows once you pick.
US figures from the Social Security Administration. 1880–2025. Data & methodology
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