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Alaska

♀ Girl

Pronounced uh-LAS-kuh /əˈlæs.kə/High

Meaning: great land or mainlandHigh

In 30 seconds: Alaska is an Aleut place name meaning great land or mainland, famous as the 49th US state. A bold nature name evoking wilderness and adventure.
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Origin HighAleut, English
Meaninggreat land or mainland
U.S. rank (2024)#2274 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births81 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,232

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202019152024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Alaska derives from the Aleut Alyeska, meaning great land or the mainland. Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. As a given name it carries the spirit of wilderness and frontier exploration.

Alaska emerged as a given name boosted by John Green's novel Looking for Alaska (2005), whose protagonist Alaska Young gave it literary indie appeal. It suits parents drawn to bold geographic names.

Did you know? The Aleut word Alyeska comes from a compound meaning the object toward which the action of the sea is directed — reflecting how the Aleut people described the Alaskan Peninsula.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name: Alaska — name etymology referenceAlaska Native Language Center — reference for AlaskaOxford Dictionary of Place Names — reference for Alaska

Variations

AleskaAlyeska

Nicknames

AliAlly

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alaska Young (fictional)
    Central character in John Green's debut novel Looking for Alaska (2005).

If you like Alaska…

Georgia— US place name used as feminine given name
Savannah— geographic name with wild-nature feel
Sierra— mountain range name used for girls
Indiana— adventurous state name for girls
Aurora— Latinate nature name with similar grandeur

Frequently Asked

What does Alaska mean?

Alaska means great land or mainland, from the Aleut word Alyeska.

How do you pronounce Alaska?

Alaska is pronounced uh-LAS-kuh (/əˈlæs.kə/), with three syllables.

Is Alaska a girl's name?

Alaska is used for girls, most famously as the protagonist of John Green's Looking for Alaska.

How popular is the name Alaska?

Alaska is uncommon as a given name but gained literary appeal after John Green's 2005 novel.