Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
London
GirlEnglish· “from the name of the English capital”
- Meaning
- from the name of the English capital
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- LUHN-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #431
- US babies 2025
- 719
- Best rank
- #85 (2013)
- Peak year
- 2013
Meaning and origin of London
London is an English name that is usually said to mean “from the name of the English capital”.
London takes its name from the capital of England, known to the Romans as Londinium. The origin of that ancient name is uncertain; it is probably pre-Roman, and scholars have proposed several Celtic explanations without agreement. As a surname, London has been used in English for centuries, and the American writer Jack London made it familiar as a family name. Its use as a given name, especially for girls, is recent and belongs to the broader fashion for city and place names such as Brooklyn, Paris and Sydney. London sounds polished and cosmopolitan, and Lonnie or Lolo can work as casual nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lunden.
Famous parents who chose London: Paris Hilton and Carter Reum (2023). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
London first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 28 different years, starting in 1994. Its best national rank was #85 in 2013, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,462 babies. In 2025, 719 babies were named London, and it ranked #431 nationally. That is 75% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,873 in 1980, #828 in 2000, #109 in 2010, and #431 in 2025. Of the 44,455 US girls named London since records began, 60% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 9,014 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lydia, Hadley, Kendall, Annabelle, and Aubree.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, London ranked highest in Delaware, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | #155 | 6 |
| Mississippi | #261 | 11 |
| Louisiana | #265 | 17 |
| Utah | #269 | 17 |
| Michigan | #299 | 30 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 85% of US babies named London over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
London is usually pronounced LUHN-duhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lunden.
Middle names for London
A few middle names that flow with London: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for London
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Lists that include London
Frequently asked questions
What does the name London mean?
London is an English name that is usually said to mean “from the name of the English capital”.
What is the origin of the name London?
London has English roots. London takes its name from the capital of England, known to the Romans as Londinium.
Is London a popular name?
Yes. London ranked #431 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is London a boy or girl name?
London is mainly a girl's name. About 85% of US babies named London over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce London?
London is usually pronounced LUHN-duhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings