Savannah is a girl's name of Native American origin, specifically from the Creek tribe. It means "flat tropical plain" or "treeless plain," referring to the vast grasslands found in regions like Florida and Georgia. The name Savannah gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century, likely due to its exotic sound and association with the natural beauty of the American South.
The earliest recorded use of the name Savannah is believed to be by John and William Bartram, two American botanists who explored the Southeast in the mid-18th century. They encountered a large expanse of flat, treeless land near present-day Savannah, Georgia, which they named "Savanna." The name was later adopted as the city's official moniker when it was founded in 1733.
Despite its Native American origins and early use in North America, Savannah did not become a popular given name until much later. In fact, it was relatively uncommon throughout most of the 20th century. However, beginning in the late 1980s, Savannah's popularity as a baby girl name started to rise significantly. By the mid-1990s, it had entered the top 100 names for girls in the United States and continued to climb in popularity throughout the following decades.
Today, Savannah remains a popular choice among parents looking for unique yet meaningful names for their daughters. Its exotic sound, beautiful meaning, and rich historical context continue to attract those who wish to bestow upon their child a name with deep roots and genuine significance.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Savannah has seen a significant increase in popularity over time, with a notable spike starting around the late 1980s and peaking in the mid- to late 1990s. From 1880 to 1967, there were fewer than 50 births named Savannah each year on average. However, beginning in 1970, the number of annual births with this name started to climb steadily, reaching triple-digit figures by 1982.
The most significant surge occurred between 1983 and 2000, during which time the number of annual Savannah births increased exponentially from 434 in 1983 to a peak of 7101 in 2000. This upward trend continued through 2006, with over 7000 births named Savannah each year. After 2006, the popularity of the name began to decline gradually, reaching 3047 births in 2022 and 2739 in 2023.
In total, there have been 186,804 births with the name Savannah from 1880 to 2023. The most popular years for the name were between 1993 and 2006, during which time over 7000 births were named Savannah each year on average.