September Baby Names Welcome the Fall
September is the most common birth month of the year, but September baby names range from the familiar to the truly unusual (yet always inspired!)
The Autumn season begins on September 23 with the Autumn Equinox. As we transition into colder, brisker days, an Autumn baby name such as Jora or Harvest could feel right for your baby.
The symbols of the month, including flowers morning glory and aster, sapphire birthstone, and Virgo and Libra zodiac signs, offer more inspiration for September baby names. So too do the holidays taking place in September — Labor Day and the Jewish High Holidays.
If you’re searching for the perfect name for your September baby-to-be, consider the options from our guide to September baby names, below.
Top September Baby Names
The first Monday in September is Labor Day in the US, which makes occupational names very appropriate for a child born around the holiday. The top occupational name for boys is Mason, meaning “stoneworker,” at Number 24. For girls, Harper (“harp player”) is the most common name related to a profession — it is ranked at Number 11.
The zodiac signs in September, Virgo and Libra, also inspire popular baby names. Virgo is symbolized by the maiden, a meaning found in names such as Cora and Ella. Libra is the sign associated with balance — a virtue represented in the name Harmony ranking at Number 215.
And, of course, since September is the first month of Fall, Autumn counts itself among the top September baby names.
Below, popular September names within the US Top 500:
- Archer
- Autumn
- Calvin
- Carter
- Cooper
- Cora
- Desmond
- Ella
- Ember
- Esther
- Harper
- Harmony
- Jane
- Paige
- Phoebe
- Presley
- Mason
- Sawyer
- Sydney
- Walter
September Girl Names
This particular September hosts Rosh Hashanah, some of the High Holy Days of Judaism (along with Yom Kippur, which is in October this year). Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, so a name meaning new — particularly a Jewish name such as Oriana — could be perfect. You may also consider names connected to apple, honey, pomegranate, and ram’s horn — symbols of the High Holidays. Avalon, Rosamel, Anara, and Jubilee are among the related options.
The flowers associated with September, the morning glory and aster, lead to many possible girl names, including Aster and Astera, Glory and Gloria. September’s birthstone is the sapphire, which can be a name on its own or inspire you to choose an alternate name that means blue.
Notable female namesakes with September birthdays include French bombshell Brigitte Bardot (September 28), actress Salma Hayek (September 2), and musical icon Beyoncé Knowles (September 4).
Here, a collection of our favorite September names for girls:
September Boy Names
For many students, the month of September signals the start of school. This may inspire you to choose a scholarly name for your child. Clark or Schuyler, a Dutch occupational name meaning “scholar,” are wonderful choices — just know that the homophonous Skylar is a top name for girls. Or you may prefer names that mean smart, intelligent, or wise.
Famous September-born men with name-worthy surnames include architect and “father of the skyscrapers” Louis Sullivan (September 3), soul musician Otis Redding (September 9), and The Great Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald (September 24).
Below, our picks for the best September baby names for boys:
- Aziz
- Baker
- Bridger
- Brogan
- Clark
- Fitzgerald
- Fletcher
- Garnet
- Hugo
- Jarah
- Linus
- Milos
- Neel
- Neo
- Redding
- Schuyler
- Shepherd
- Sullivan
- Thayer
- Truman
Unique September Baby Names
September has historically been a month associated with the harvest, so a rare name like Arista, meaning “harvest,” or even Harvest itself would be fitting for a September baby.
Many saints with September feast days have unusual but usable names. Verena and Euphemia are two great options for girls — the latter comes with the nickname Effie. Cyprian, Finbar, and Zeno are evocative choices for boys, and Cloud works for either sex.
These unique September baby names were given to fewer than 50 babies in 2022, according to official government records. Here, 20 rare names for September babies: