California, the Golden State, is named after a fictional island described in a novel by Spanish author Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. The island was called "California," and it was said to be rich in gold and precious stones. When explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno sailed along the coast of present-day California in 1602, he saw these lands filled with beautiful trees and meadows, reminding him of the fictional California from Montalvo's novel. Thus, he named this region "California" in honor of the imaginary island described by the Spanish author. This name has since become synonymous with the diverse landscape, vibrant culture, and innovative spirit that defines the state today.
The name California has seen fluctuating popularity over the years, with a notable peak of 16 births each in 2007 and 2017, but recent years have shown a steady decline, reaching as low as 5 births in 2023.