Virginia and Georgia have ranked in the top 1000 since the US census started keeping track of name trends. Almost all of that time has been spent in the top 500 at least. Dakota surged in popularity in the 80s, almost out of nowhere, and has stayed in the top 500 for boys and girls since the early 90s. Arizona ranked in the top 1000 for decades before it fell off in 1912. Montana ranked from 1993 to 2007 (skipping 2005) for girls. As a boy's name, it ranked from 1993 to 1999. Indiana ranked sporadically in the last few decades of the 19th century. Even Louisiana ranked randomly in 1886!My point is, Alaska is not the sort of name that would be considered outlandish by most Americans-- especially since the book "Looking for Alaska". I've never read it myself, but despite the darker themes in the book, it's only influenced my impression of the name Alaska in a positive way by more or less normalizing it.If you've got ties to Alaska (or simply just appreciate it as a name), I would encourage you to quell your fears about using a lesser known name and go for it. It's beautiful, easy to pronounce, pleasing to the ear, and not so "unusual" as it is simply uncommon.
Dakota surged in popularity in the 80s, almost out of nowhere, and has stayed in the top 500 for boys and girls since the early 90s.
Arizona ranked in the top 1000 for decades before it fell off in 1912.
Montana ranked from 1993 to 2007 (skipping 2005) for girls. As a boy's name, it ranked from 1993 to 1999.
Indiana ranked sporadically in the last few decades of the 19th century.
Even Louisiana ranked randomly in 1886!
My point is, Alaska is not the sort of name that would be considered outlandish by most Americans-- especially since the book "Looking for Alaska". I've never read it myself, but despite the darker themes in the book, it's only influenced my impression of the name Alaska in a positive way by more or less normalizing it.
If you've got ties to Alaska (or simply just appreciate it as a name), I would encourage you to quell your fears about using a lesser known name and go for it. It's beautiful, easy to pronounce, pleasing to the ear, and not so "unusual" as it is simply uncommon.