Alaska Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Alaska originates from the Aleut language, meaning 'great land' or 'the mainland'. It evolved through Russian and English usage after being purchased by the United States. The name reflects the region's vastness and natural beauty, with no biblical relevance. The territory gained popularity in the 19th century and continues to be associated with wilderness and adventure.
The name Alaska is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alaska has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Alaska' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 21055th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13827th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6241st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2494th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Alaska' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alaska"
Pronunciation
/əˈlæskə/
Origin
Aleut
Etymology
The name 'Alaska' is derived from the Aleut word 'aláxsxaq', which means 'great land' or 'the mainland'.
Meaning
great land, the mainland
Language Evolution
Aleut, Russian, English
Historical Usage
The name Alaska was adopted in the 19th century when the territory was purchased from Russia in 1867 and began to be used more widely in English.
Variants & Derivatives
Alaskan
Modern Popularity & Image
Alaska is perceived as a vast, rugged, and beautiful wilderness known for its stunning landscapes, wildlife, and indigenous cultures.
Famous People
Sarah Palin, William H. Seward, James Wickersham
Explore More Alaska Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alaska"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alaska"
"Alaska" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 21055th of 23106 | 8 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 13827th of 27321 | 49 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6241st of 35406 | 308 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2494th of 30306 | 870 |
Regional Popularity of "Alaska" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Alaska" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
52.38% 2087th/3984 |
67.24% 3017th/4487 |
41.94% 2861st/6822 |
49.41% 3101st/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alaska"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alaska" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.