London

In the US, London is popular for both sexes, though as the name has risen for girls, it's levelled off for boys. Currently given to around 200 boys each year, it is nearly five times more popular for girls, however, it been on decline across the board since its peak in 2013. Conjuring up images of Big Ben, red phone boxes, and the London Eye for some, but perhaps the rush hour commute and grey skies for others, London is far less popular in the UK and other English-speaking countries.

the exact etymology of London is unknown, however theories suggest it was named for King Lud who once controlled the city and therefore means "Lud's Fortress", Lud possibly coming from Llud meaning "mist, haze" or "to acquire". A more recent suggestion is that it comes from a proto-Indo-European root, lendh meaning "sink", which was adapted into the Celtic noun londos meaning "subduing". Combined with a Celtic suffix to make it singular, the old name Londinjon could then mean "place that floods", reflecting the tidal element of the River Thames. Several other linguists and historians have suggested a variety of origins, all which reference the river in some way.

Pronounced LUN-dun.

As of October 2026, London ranked #1335 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #504 in 2010.