Alaska
Meaningmainland · Aleut
Alaska is a Native American girl name meaning “mainland”, with Aleut roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Word funAlaska starts and ends with the same letter, A. A neat little bookend.
- GenerationAlaska is having its moment right now. Most Alaskas are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Alaska would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 27,701 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryAlaska first shows up in US birth records in 1915, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 110 years since.
US births per million girls, 1915–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Alaska
Alaska is a girl name of Native American origin meaning “mainland”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Native American names
More Native American girl names
- Girl name: Savannah · treeless plain
- Unisex name: Dakota · friend, ally
- Girl name: Winona · firstborn daughter
- Girl name: Nayla · achiever, winner
- Girl name: Savanna · treeless grassland
- Girl name: Kaydence · rhythm
- Unisex name: Mika · often beautiful fragrance
- Unisex name: Sora · sky
Questions about the name Alaska
What does the name Alaska mean?
Alaska means “mainland” and comes from Aleut.
What is the origin of the name Alaska?
Alaska is Native American in origin, and its meaning traces back to Aleut. Other Native American names to consider are Savannah (“treeless plain”), Dakota (“friend, ally”), Winona (“firstborn daughter”) and Nayla (“achiever, winner”).
Is Alaska a boy or girl name?
Alaska is a girl name, though a few boys are given it too each year. In 2025, 58 US girls were named Alaska.
How popular is the name Alaska?
Alaska ranked #2,895 for US girls in 2025, given to 58 babies. Its best year was 2020, when it reached #1,818. Over the last five years it has slipped 1,077 places.
What should I know before naming my baby Alaska?
Alaska is a Native American girl name meaning “mainland”, with Aleut roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.