Holding steady.
Popularity of Topeka since 1970
Babies named Topeka per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 94 |
| 1980s | 24 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Topeka is a place name that transferred to given name use, reflecting the American trend of adopting geographic names. It was first recorded in Social Security data in 1970, though it never reached the national top 1000. Its peak usage came in 1976, the same year as the United States Bicentennial, which may have encouraged patriotic or regional naming. Since then, usage has remained stable at very low levels (fewer than 5 births per year). As of 2025, it has not seen a revival. The name pays homage to the Kansa tribe's original word for the area, connecting the bearer to the American Midwest and its indigenous roots.
Topeka is the capital city of Kansas, named from the Kansa (Kaw) word Tó Ppí Kˀé, which is often translated as 'a good place to dig potatoes.' The name was adopted for the city in the 1850s. As a given name, Topeka gained modest use starting in the 1970s, likely as an expression of regional pride or a fondness for place names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Top
Sibling names for Topeka
Names that share Topeka's style, for a brother or sister.
