Holding steady.
Popularity of Ontario since 1967
Babies named Ontario per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 11 |
| 1970s | 163 |
| 1980s | 205 |
| 1990s | 225 |
| 2000s | 161 |
| 2010s | 76 |
| 2020s | 36 |
Meaning & origin
Ontario is a place name adopted as a given name, drawing from the Canadian province and Lake Ontario. First recorded as a name for boys in 1967, it saw its peak usage in 1991, according to U.S. Social Security data. Despite this peak, the name has never ranked among the top 1000 names, remaining exceedingly rare with fewer than 5 births per year in most years. The name's trajectory has been stable, showing no significant revival. As a geographic surname and place name, it appeals to parents looking for a distinctive, nature-inspired name with a sense of place.
Ontario is a place name, taken directly from the Canadian province. The name 'Ontario' itself is derived from an Indigenous Iroquoian word, likely meaning 'beautiful lake' or 'sparkling water', originally referring to Lake Ontario. It began to be used as a given name sporadically in the late 20th century, particularly in Canada and the United States, as part of a trend of adopting geographic names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ont, Tario, Rio
Sibling names for Ontario
Names that share Ontario's style, for a brother or sister.
