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Home › Baby Names Directory › Topanga

Topanga

♀ Girl

Pronounced toh-PANG-gah /toʊˈpæŋ.ɡɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Topanga Canyon, California — from the Tongva (Gabrieleño) language, often read 'a place above'; routes debatedLow

In 30 seconds: A California canyon, name-sized: Topanga is the famous Tongva place-name — often read 'a place above'. Free-spirited, breezy, and distinctive (Boy Meets World's Topanga).
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Origin MediumTongva, American
MeaningFrom Topanga Canyon, California — from the Tongva (Gabrieleño) language, often read 'a place above'; routes debated
U.S. rank (2025)#4746 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births29 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 799

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199819942025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Topanga comes from Topanga Canyon in California — from the Tongva (Gabrieleño) language, often read 'a place above' (routes debated, which we note). The character on Boy Meets World made it a name; it's free-spirited and breezy.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, place-above at the (likely) root, and free-spirited.

Did you know? Topanga Canyon's name comes from the Tongva people — often glossed 'a place above'; the TV character Topanga Lawrence made it a 1990s favorite.
Overall data confidence 60%
Place-name references — Topanga — routes debated

Variations

Topangah

Nicknames

PangTopa

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Topanga…

Sierra— a fellow California-toned place-name
Savannah— a companion nature place-name
Sedona— another evocative place-name
Montana— a fellow Western place-name

Explore names like Topanga

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Topanga mean?

Topanga is a Tongva place-name (Topanga Canyon), often read 'a place above'; the routes are debated.

How do you pronounce Topanga?

It's said toh-PANG-gah /toʊˈpæŋ.ɡɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Topanga a boy or girl name?

Topanga is a girl's name.

How popular is Topanga?

Topanga is a rare name in the U.S.

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