Parents across the United States are increasingly opting for unique spellings of popular baby names. Using Social Security Administration (SSA) data for 2025, the research firm ThatsThem identified the ten states where the share of variant‑spelling births is highest. The findings highlight a cultural shift toward individuality while still keeping names recognizable.

Methodology

ThatsThem downloaded the SSA’s state‑specific baby‑name files for 2025, which record every Social Security card application by state. They grouped fifteen common name families—such as the “Caden” and “Cameron” clusters—into standard and variant spelling categories. For each state, the variant share was calculated as the number of births with a non‑standard spelling divided by the total births in those clusters. Only states with at least 30 qualifying births were included, ensuring that a handful of outlier names would not distort the results.

The SSA excludes any name that appears fewer than five times in a state during a year, so the true rate of creative spellings is likely a bit higher than reported.

Top ten states

1. Mississippi – 42.7% variant share
Mississippi leads the nation. Of 576 tracked births, 246 used a variant spelling. The “Caden” family dominated, with 122 variant births (Kayden 55, Kaiden 33, Kaden 14) versus only 12 standard spellings. The “Cameron” family also leaned heavily toward variants, with Kamryn (18) and Kameron (16) outpacing the six standard spellings.

2. Alabama – 36.0% variant share
Alabama’s 887 tracked births included 319 variants. The name Klarity appeared 18 times, while the standard spelling did not meet the five‑name cutoff. The “Caden” cluster contributed 63 Kaydens and 32 Kaidens against 17 standard Cadens.

3. Louisiana – 35.8% variant share
Louisiana recorded 285 variant spellings out of 796 births. The “Cameron” family split fairly evenly, with Kameron (19), Camryn (11) and Kamryn (10) versus 54 standard spellings.

4. West Virginia – 35.2% variant share
With a smaller sample of 324 births, West Virginia still posted a 35.2% variant share. No single variant dominated; Kayden (17), Kaden (14) and Kaiden (11) were all close in number.

5. Georgia – 32.7% variant share
Georgia’s larger sample of 2,161 births yielded 707 variants. The “Cameron” cluster was spread across Kameron (43), Kamryn (40), Camryn (32) and Camron (8). Kaleb accounted for 53 variant births, and Klarity appeared 31 times.

6. Arkansas – 32.1% variant share
In Arkansas, 157 of 489 tracked births used a variant spelling. Kaleb led with 17 variants against 36 standard Calebs, while Klarity just met the five‑name threshold.

7. Nevada – 32.0% variant share
Nevada is the only non‑southern state in the top ten. Of 132 variant spellings out of 412 births, Kayden (21), Kaden (9) and Kaiden (7) outnumbered the five standard Cadens.

8. Oklahoma – 31.6% variant share
Oklahoma’s 613 tracked births produced 194 variants. Camryn (12) was the most common version of that family, while Kayden (34) led the “Caden” cluster.

9. Florida – 31.3% variant share
Florida contributed the largest sample—3,939 births—with 1,231 variants. Kayden alone accounted for 253 variant births; Kaiden (129) and Kaleb (118) followed. Both Klarity (42) and Clarity (18) cleared the five‑name cutoff, giving variants a more than two‑to‑one advantage.

10. Tennessee – 31.1% variant share
Tennessee’s 1,395 tracked births included 434 variants. The “K” spellings were prominent: Kayden (75) and Kaiden (42) outpaced the standard Caden spellings, while Kamryn (23) edged Kameron (19) and Camryn (17).

What the trend means

The data shows that creative spellings are not confined to a single region. While the southern states dominate the top ten, Nevada’s presence demonstrates that the desire for distinctive names is spreading nationwide. The SSA reported that Klarity‑style variants appeared in 22 states in 2025, with 320 births using the variant compared with only 63 births of the standard spelling.

For parents, a unique spelling can provide a sense of individuality without sacrificing recognizability. For communities, the trend reflects a broader cultural embrace of personal expression—a value that aligns with the American tradition of freedom and family choice.

As the naming landscape continues to evolve, future SSA releases will likely show even higher variant shares, underscoring the enduring appeal of giving each newborn a name that stands out while honoring family heritage.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.