America
America is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Home ruler or universal power; named after Amerigo Vespucci.
Origin and history
America is a given name derived from the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, whose name stems from Germanic roots meaning home ruler or universal power. It became the name of the continents and was later adopted as a given name in the United States. It remains a distinctive patriotic choice with steady historical usage.
Popularity in the United States
13,522 babies in the United States have been named America since 1880. It ranks #1369 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1458.
States where it is most popular
- CA (36.5 %)
- TX (29.2 %)
- AZ (5 %)
- IL (5 %)
- NY (2.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 150 |
| 1890-1900 | 154 |
| 1900-1910 | 150 |
| 1910-1920 | 268 |
| 1920-1930 | 312 |
| 1930-1940 | 166 |
| 1940-1950 | 143 |
| 1950-1960 | 148 |
| 1960-1970 | 208 |
| 1970-1980 | 491 |
| 1980-1990 | 568 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,353 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,982 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,777 |
| 2020-2029 | 652 |
Famous people named America
- America Ferrera: Actress, Producer
- America Olivo: Actress, Singer
Nicknames
Meri, Ami
Fun facts
- The name ultimately derives from Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci, who mapped parts of the Americas.
- The name gained increased visibility in the early 2000s due to popular media and prominent bearers.