Georgia
Georgia Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈd͡ʒɔɹ.d͡ʒə/
Meaning of Georgia: Georgia is the feminine form of George, derived from the Greek georgios, from geo (earth) and ergon (work), meaning "farmer" or "one who works the earth." The name entered European use primarily through Saint George.
The patron saint of England, whose martyrdom in the fourth century CE made him one of the most venerated Christian saints.
As a feminine given name, Georgia developed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries alongside other feminizations of masculine classics.
What Does Georgia Mean? Origin & Etymology
The name received its most significant American geographic anchor when the colony -- later state -- of Georgia was named in 1732 after King George II of Great Britain, the same root name in royal form.
The state of Georgia carries enormous cultural weight in American identity -- as a Civil War battleground, as the cradle of the American civil rights movement, and as the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) in Atlanta.
Culturally, the name is inseparable from Ray Charles's 1960 song "Georgia on My Mind," which became the official state song of Georgia in 1979. The song's yearning, piano-drenched vocal has made "Georgia" one of the most emotionally resonant name-songs in American music.
Georgia ranked 115th for girls in the US in 2024. It is also among the top 10 names in Australia and the United Kingdom, where its combination of classical roots, royal heritage, and modern charm resonates particularly strongly.
Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
How Popular Is Georgia?
Numerology & Symbolism of Georgia
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Georgia – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Georgia
What does the name Georgia mean?
Georgia means "farmer" or "one who works the earth," from Greek georgios -- combining geo (earth) and ergon (work). It is the feminine form of George, the name of England's patron saint, and carries both agrarian simplicity and centuries of royal and ecclesiastical heritage.
Is Georgia popular in other countries?
Georgia is especially popular in the United Kingdom and Australia, where it has ranked inside the top 10 for girls in recent years. In the UK it has been a consistent top-20 name since the 1990s. US popularity is somewhat lower at rank 115 in 2024, but the name has strong multi-country appeal.
How popular is Georgia in the United States?
Georgia ranked 115th for girls in the US in 2024. It has been inside the top 200 for most of the past two decades, with particularly strong presence in the South. It entered the modern top 500 in the 1990s and has climbed steadily since.
What is the song Georgia on My Mind?
"Georgia on My Mind" is a 1930 song written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell. Ray Charles recorded the definitive version in 1960, transforming it into one of the most emotionally powerful American pop songs. In 1979, Georgia became the official state song of Georgia, giving the name a formal state-level cultural endorsement.
What are names similar to Georgia?
Names in the same state/royal place-name category include Carolina, Virginia, and Dakota. Names sharing the same Greek -ia ending include Sophia, Olivia, and Amelia. The shorter form Georgie is used as a nickname. George remains a strong boys' name, and Georgina is the more formal feminine form used in British contexts.