Thanks to high-profile people such as Sarah Palin (daughters Bristol and Willow were named after Alaskan communities) and David and Victoria Beckham (son Brooklyn was conceived in New York), naming your baby straight from the atlas has never been more popular. Sure, you can name your child after well-known cities and state capitals, like Austin or Savannah, but we’ve come up with a list of smaller and mid-sized cities that can be used on your baby naming journey. From California to Massachusetts, think of this list like a cross-country road trip for you and your future baby.

How do you find the perfect baby name inspired by American cities? First, pull out a map and pick your favorite state or region of the country. See something that catches your eye? Write it down. If you want to be creative, expand your horizons. If you’re living in Rhode Island, why not search for a name on the West Coast? When you’re looking at the map, think about the cities and states where you’ve had great memories—perhaps a vacation or your favorite places to visit as a child.

If you’re picking a random name off the map, try to visit the city before you name your child after it. Or at the very least, request some pictures about it from the local Chamber of Commerce. Try not to name your children with city names ending in a Park, Ville, Village, Burg, Stream, Creek, Port, Hills, View or Bay. It’s true that you’re naming your child after a city, but you don’t want it to sound like a city (e.g., Elizabethtown, KY).

If you’re planning on having more than one child, you could continue naming your children after cities and your family will be welcomed everywhere. But, make sure the naming is on an even playing field. Sibling rivalry is bound to show up if you name one child Paris (ME) and the other Allen (TX).

Most importantly, don’t pick a name with negative connotations. If possible, avoid Watts (CA), Effingham (IL) and Cut and Shoot (TX).

Baby Boy Names Inspired from American Cities:

Brier, WA
Burien, WA
Everett, WA
Rainier, WA
Damon, TX
Corinth, KY
Gamaliel, KY
Bremen, KY
Vado, NM
Montgomery, AL
Lyle, IN
Stanford, CA
Anderson, CA
Franklin, IN
Jasper, IN
Mitchell, IN
Bradbury, CA
Carson, CA
Claremont, CA
Concord, MA
Hurley, MS
Macon, GA
Canton, OH
Clayton, OH
Heath, OH
Rittman, OH
Eunice, LO
Thibodaux, LO
Ruston, LO
Minden, LO
Lincoln, NE
Houston, TX
Boston, MA
Newton, MA
Quincy, MA
Revere, MA
Dixon, IL
Granger, WY
Lyman, WY
Sinclair, WY
Thayne, WY
Upton, WY
Benham, KY
Trenton, KY
Akiak, AK
Abbott, TX
Kurten, TX
Mandan, ND
Leith, ND
York, ND

Baby Girl Names Inspired from American Cities:

Gardena, ND
Ayr, ND
Zillah, WA
Roslyn, WA
Zavalla, TX
Uvalde, TX
Emory, TX
Brazoria, TX
Addison, TX
Tanana, AK
Kiana, AK
Phoenix, AZ
Liberty, IL
Independence, MO
Sebree, KY
Augusta, KY
Lander, WY
Opal, WY
Cheyenne, WY
Lynn, MA
Cynthiana, KY
Melrose, MA
Ravenna, OH
Medina, OH
Elyria, OH
Brooklyn, NY
Avon, OH
Ada, OH
Valencia, NM
Magnolia, MI
Savannah, GA
Charlotte, NC
Cherry, NE
Alexandria, WV
Angola, IN
Aurora, IL
Carmel, IN
Charleston, SC
Delphi, IN
Salem, MA
Rensselaer, IN
Arcadia, CA
Avalon, CA
Brea, CA
Belvedere, CA
Blythe, CA
Cypress, CA
Providence, RI
Fayette, MI
Helena, MI

Read More:

• Popular baby names by decade
• Hip-hop baby names
• Naming your baby after your passion

Provided by BabyHold.com