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<img loading="" class="lazyload size-article_feature" data-sizes="auto" alt="MOST POPULAR BABY NAMES IN THE 21ST CENTURY | Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) gathers and analyzes name data, offering tremendous insight into past and present time periods; thus, we are able to get a glimpse into those cultural connections and trends that influenced the naming of our parents, grandparents, and so on. Stacker analyzed data from SSA to rank the most popular baby names of the 21st century. The list’s data are split up by birth gender, as reported on the baby’s Social Security card application.” title=”MOST POPULAR BABY NAMES IN THE 21ST CENTURY | Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) gathers and analyzes name data, offering tremendous insight into past and present time periods; thus, we are able to get a glimpse into those cultural connections and trends that influenced the naming of our parents, grandparents, and so on. Stacker analyzed data from SSA to rank the most popular baby names of the 21st century. The list’s data are split up by birth gender, as reported on the baby’s Social Security card application.” src=”/wp-content/uploads/migration/2020/11/21/7EY7SI6PAQVV6KIXRPVXAG5YN4.jpg”>
MOST POPULAR BABY NAMES IN THE 21ST CENTURY | Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) gathers and analyzes name data, offering tremendous insight into past and present time periods; thus, we are able to get a glimpse into those cultural connections and trends that influenced the naming of our parents, grandparents, and so on. Stacker analyzed data from SSA to rank the most popular baby names of the 21st century. The list’s data are split up by birth gender, as reported on the baby’s Social Security card application.
#50. CAMERON (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 161,813 (8,091 per year) | Though originally Scottish in origin, this name’s 21st-century popularity is perhaps more rooted in Hollywood. Director James Cameron’s “Titanic” dominated the theaters during many 21st-century parents’ formative years, and Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” was released in September of 2000.
#50 AUBREY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 95,247 (4,762 per year) | No, the surge in popularity isn’t directly attributable to Aubrey “Drake” Graham, much of whose worldwide fame came after 2012, the year that “Aubrey” reached its peak as the 15th most popular baby name. Aubrey—the French, English meaning of which is “elf ruler”—has grabbed a spot in SSA’s 21st-century rankings, having been popular among boys in the Middle Ages, becoming a common name for girls beginning in the 1970s, and today evoking such female stars as Aubrey Plaza.
#49 KEVIN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 162,205 (8,110 per year) | Kevin is actually the English version of the Irish name Caoimhín, who was a saint in sixth-century Ireland. Now, what spurred the name’s peak in 2000? It’s hard to know if it was Kevin Bacon’s performance in “Hollow Man” or Kevin Garnett putting up 22 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
#49. GABRIELLA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 95,288 (4,764 per year) | This name is the female version of Gabriel, a biblical name which in Hebrew means “God is my strength.” In the Christian Bible, the archangel Gabriel appears to tell Mary that she is pregnant with Jesus. All through the 2000s, Gabrielle Union was starring in films, appearing in both “Bring It On” and “Love & Basketball” in 2000.
#48. JORDAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 165,226 (8,261 per year) | This name gets its roots from the ancient river that runs between Jordan and Israel, which also was the site of Jesus' baptism by John in the New Testament. But let's be real: It also got a popularity boost when a kid from North Carolina named Michael Jeffrey Jordan became the greatest man to ever play basketball.
#48. JORDAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 165,226 (8,261 per year) | This name gets its roots from the ancient river that runs between Jordan and Israel, which also was the site of Jesus’ baptism by John in the New Testament. But let’s be real: It also got a popularity boost when a kid from North Carolina named Michael Jeffrey Jordan became the greatest man to ever play basketball.
#48. BROOKLYN (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 96,892 (4,845 per year) | Based on the property value hike in Brooklyn this last decade (68.1% according to the appraisal firm Miller Samuel), young Americans seem to have an affinity for the New York City borough. Naming your child Brooklyn can serve as a way to vicariously exist near the increasingly affluent borough—based on Kanye West’s “Couldn’t afford a car so she named her daughter Alexis” theorem). The name is also favored by David and Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham, who named their eldest son Brooklyn.
#47. JUSTIN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 168,352 (8,418 per year) | The name Justin traces its roots to the Latin name Justus, which means “just.” The name peaked in 2000, right when a certain famous Justin’s album “No Strings Attached” was breaking records with its first-week sales. This I promise you, the era of Justin as a niche name went bye, bye, bye right when that NSYNC hit the scene.
#47. MORGAN (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 98,299 (4,915 per year) | This name came into popular use after Geoffrey of Monmouth named a sorcerer Morgan le Fay in his King Arthur stories. Morgan fits nicely into the trend of unisex names.
#47. MORGAN (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 98,299 (4,915 per year) | This name came into popular use after Geoffrey of Monmouth named a sorcerer Morgan le Fay in his King Arthur stories. Morgan fits nicely into the trend of unisex names.
#46. ISAIAH (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 168,446 (8,422 per year) | This biblical name draws its roots in the Hebrew Bible. Isaiah was an eighth-century B.C. prophet and is mentioned specifically in Christianity’s Gospel of John for having predicted the coming of Christ. Detroit Pistons’ great Isiah Thomas’ name is spelled without the first “a,” but current NBA star Isaiah Thomas uses the more traditional spelling.
#46. KATHERINE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 99,373 (4,969 per year) | This name has Greek roots and has many regal forbearers: Catherine the Great, Katherine of Aragon, Catherine de’ Medici, and more. It’s unclear what spiked this specific spelling of Katherine’s popularity in 2000—Katharine Hepburn spelled her name a bit differently and Katherine Heigl wouldn’t join “Grey’s Anatomy” until 2005.
#45. ROBERT (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 168,936 (8,447 per year) | This name comes from Germanic roots but can trace its popularity in England all the way back to the Norman Conquest in 1066. While Robert the Bruce’s pop culture renaissance in 1995’s “Braveheart” might have helped spur the name’s rise, it’s more likely linked to Redford, De Niro, and, of course, Downey Jr., who was very much in the news in 2000.
#45. KAYLEE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 100,841 (5,042 per year) | This name is exceptionally new in the United States, showing up in 1984 and growing rapidly in popularity until 2009. It's unclear what spurred the jump, aside from American parents' love of original names (and odd spellings).
#45. KAYLEE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 100,841 (5,042 per year) | This name is exceptionally new in the United States, showing up in 1984 and growing rapidly in popularity until 2009. It’s unclear what spurred the jump, aside from American parents’ love of original names (and odd spellings).
#44 HUNTER (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 169,373 (8,469 per year) | It’s not hard to unscramble the meaning of this name, which comes from the Old English “hunta” which means: “hunter.” This name’s popularity is likely more related to Hunter S. Thompson, who was portrayed by Johnny Depp in 1998’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” than by “Survivor” cast member Hunter Ellis, but who can say.
#44. LEAH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 101,202 (5,060 per year) | This name comes from the Old Testament. Leah was the first wife of Jacob, who was tricked by her father into marrying Leah rather than her younger sister, Rachel.
#44. LEAH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 101,202 (5,060 per year) | This name comes from the Old Testament. Leah was the first wife of Jacob, who was tricked by her father into marrying Leah rather than her younger sister, Rachel.
#43 JOSE (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 170,721 (8,536 per year) | This popular Spanish name derives its roots from the Bible. Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, and as payback, was sent by his brothers to Egypt, where he went from destitute to a valued advisor to the Pharaoh.
#43 JOSE (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 170,721 (8,536 per year) | This popular Spanish name derives its roots from the Bible. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, and as payback, was sent by his brothers to Egypt, where he went from destitute to a valued advisor to the Pharaoh.
#43 RILEY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 101,479 (5,074 per year) | This name actually entered use as a surname, which meant “wood clearing” or “rye clearing” in Old English. Today, it’s one example of the growing trend of using surnames as first names to give your kid a distinctive name or to honor a celebrity (see: Hendrix, Bowie).
#42. AUSTIN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 171,614 (8,581 per year) | Though Austin technically derives from a contracted form of Augustine from the Middle Ages, it seems more likely that this name comes from the trend of using surnames as first names. The name could also be a nod to the city in Texas, but in this case, the popularity spike in 2000 seems most linked to the one and only actor and wrestler Stone Cold Steve.
#42. AUSTIN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 171,614 (8,581 per year) | Though Austin technically derives from a contracted form of Augustine from the Middle Ages, it seems more likely that this name comes from the trend of using surnames as first names. The name could also be a nod to the city in Texas, but in this case, the popularity spike in 2000 seems most linked to the one and only actor and wrestler Stone Cold Steve.
#42. SYDNEY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 104,453 (5,223 per year) | This name first came into use as an English surname, spelled Sidney. The spelling of Sydney with a “y” is more often a female name, though a few generations ago, it was unisex (see: Sydney Pollack, Sydney Lassick).
#41. THOMAS (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 171,770 (8,589 per year) | Thomas is a biblical name, coming from the New Testament apostle who doubted Christ had risen until he inspected his wounds. The name has long been extremely popular, with notable standouts like Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and, of course, Thomas the Tank Engine.
#41. THOMAS (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 171,770 (8,589 per year) | Thomas is a biblical name, coming from the New Testament apostle who doubted Christ had risen until he inspected his wounds. The name has long been extremely popular, with notable standouts like Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and, of course, Thomas the Tank Engine.
#41. JASMINE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 105,248 (5,262 per year) | Jasmine comes from the star-shaped flower of the same name, used in perfumes, and originally originates from the Persian word “yasamen.” This name boom is probably most closely tied to a certain Disney princess.
#40 JACK (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 180,923 (9,046 per year) | Sometimes used as a nickname for John (see: Jack Kennedy), Jack is a historic English name in its own right. There was Jack London and Jack Kerouac, but the popularity in the 2000s may likely stem from two fictional Jacks: Jack Dawson from “Titanic” and Dr. Jack Shephard from “Lost.”
#40. ZOE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 106,599 (5,330 per year) | The name Zoe traces its roots to ancient Greece; it means “life.” The name first gained popularity in 1989 and then peaked in 2012. Zooey Deschanel’s “New Girl” premiered in 2011, the same year that Zoe Kravitz made her blockbuster debut in “X-Men: First Class.”
#39. LUKE (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 183,436 (9,172 per year) | This is the English version of Lucas and is also a biblical name. If the name had peaked around the turn of the millennium, perhaps its popularity could be tied to “Beverly Hills, 90210’s” Luke Perry, but this Luke bump seems more likely linked to Luke Bryan’s “Crash My Party” hitting #1 on the Billboard 200 in August 2013. Rolling on 35s with a pretty girl by your side is one way to start a Luke baby boom.
#39. JULIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 106,660 (5,333 per year) | Julia is the female version of the Roman name Julius, which was first popularized by Julius Caesar. Why the 2001 peak in babies named Julia though? Perhaps it was this amazing three-year run (1999–2001) by Julia Roberts: “Notting Hill,” “Runaway Bride,” “Erin Brockovich,” “The Mexican,” “America’s Sweethearts,” and “Ocean’s Eleven.”
#38. ISAAC (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 184,776 (9,239 per year) | Isaac is another biblical name. Isaac was Abraham's son; God tested his first follower's faith by asking him to kill Isaac, which he almost did.
#38. ISAAC (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 184,776 (9,239 per year) | Isaac is another biblical name. Isaac was Abraham’s son; God tested his first follower’s faith by asking him to kill Isaac, which he almost did.
#38. JESSICA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 108,766 (5,438 per year) | Amazingly, this name traces its roots to Shakespeare; his character Jessica in “The Merchant of Venice” is the first known use of the name. The 2000 Jessica peak could correlate with Jessica Alba’s 1999 appearance in “Idle Hands” or pop star Jessica Simpson’s debut album “Sweet Kisses” (1999).
#37. ZACHARY (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 185,637 (9,282 per year) | Zachary is an English version of the biblical name Zacharias, who was John the Baptist's father. The name was most popular throughout the '90s, with Zachary hitting its peak in 1993 and declining ever since.
#37. ZACHARY (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 185,637 (9,282 per year) | Zachary is an English version of the biblical name Zacharias, who was John the Baptist’s father. The name was most popular throughout the ’90s, with Zachary hitting its peak in 1993 and declining ever since.
#37. ALLISON (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 108,839 (5,442 per year) | This name was common in both England and France as far back as the Middle Ages. It’s hard to know if this name bump is connected to the later years of the “Smallville’s” Allison Mack run or just an enduring love for Elvis Costello’s classic song, “Alison.”
#36. LUCAS (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 189,240 (9,462 per year) | This name is the Latin form of the biblical name Luke, who is believed to be one of the four men who wrote a Gospel about Jesus’ time on earth. It’s unclear what caused the 2017 Lucas boom, though it does seem common among YouTube and Instagram stars. Parents in their late 20s or early 30s may also have grown up watching “One Tree Hill,” a teen drama that starred Chad Michael Murry as hunky basketball player Lucas Scott and aired from 2003–2012.
#36. LILLIAN (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 114,076 (5,704 per year) | Lillian came to use as a nickname for Elizabeth; today, it is more likely connected to the name Lily. It’s hard to know which famous fictional mother led to the Lillian bump: Queen Lillian from “Shrek” or Serena’s mom Lillian in “Gossip Girl.”
#35. CALEB (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 196,389 (9,819 per year) | Caleb is also an Old Testament biblical name; he was one of the 12 spies sent by Moses into Canaan. It’s hard to know what caused the Caleb bump in 2002; Nathan Fillion played a character named Caleb in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” the next year, but wouldn’t gain a cult following until much later.
#35. SAVANNAH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 116,347 (5,817 per year) | Deriving from the American English word for “large grassy plain,” Savannah actually traces its roots to a Native American word, Zabana, which means “meadow.” It’s also the name of a popular city in Georgia.
#34. BRANDON (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 196,880 (9,844 per year) | This name came to use originally as a surname, which has its roots in Old English. The Brandon bump seems correlated to a generation growing up watching Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestley) on “Beverly Hills, 90210”; the name first began to rise in the United States in 1991, a year after the show premiered.
#34. ADDISON (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 122,169 (6,108 per year) | Originally a surname meaning “Son of Adam,” Addison has since taken off as a popular girl’s name. The name peaked in 2007, soon after Kate Walsh began her run as Dr. Addison Montgomery on “Grey’s Anatomy.”
#33. JACKSON (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 210,250 (10,513 per year) | Jackson traces its roots to the surname, which literally means, “Son of Jack.” However, as is often the case with other presidential surnames, Jackson has become a popular first name.
#33 LILY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 124,210 (6,211 per year) | The name Lily gets its roots from the flower, which has become a symbol of virtue and as well as associated with funerals. The 2000s have been awash with notable Lilies: Harry Potter’s mother and characters on “Modern Family,” “Gossip Girl,” and “How I Met Your Mother.”
#32. AIDEN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 212,659 (10,633 per year) | An English form of the old Irish name Aodhán, use of the name Aiden grew exponential in the United States between 1995 and 2009. Some of that growth was spurned by John Corbett’s portrayal of Aidan Shaw on “Sex and the City.”
#32. AVERY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 124,403 (6,220 per year) | This is another example of a girl's name that originated as a surname. What's interesting about Avery though is its usage as a girl's name at all. From 1880 on, between 0.01% and 0.1% of boys in America have been named Avery. But starting in 1990, 0.01% of girls were given the name, and by 2014, almost 0.5% were named Avery.
#32. AVERY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 124,403 (6,220 per year) | This is another example of a girl’s name that originated as a surname. What’s interesting about Avery though is its usage as a girl’s name at all. From 1880 on, between 0.01% and 0.1% of boys in America have been named Avery. But starting in 1990, 0.01% of girls were given the name, and by 2014, almost 0.5% were named Avery.
#31. JAYDEN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 214,104 (10,705 per year) | This relatively recent name first came into use in the late ’90s. Though differently, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s son Jaden began his film acting career with “The Pursuit of Happyness” in 2006 and appeared in “The Day the Earth Stood Still” months before the name peaked.
#31. KAYLA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 124,494 (6,225 per year) | This is a relatively new name, first appearing in popular use around 1960. Some credit the name taking off in the 1980s with the character Kayla Brady appearing on “Days of Our Lives.” The name’s use has declined steadily since 1995.
#30. LIAM (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 218,279 (10,914 per year) | Liam is the shortened Irish version of the name William, a famous name of kings and conquerors throughout Medieval and modern British times. The name's peak in 2017 could be linked to an unlikely demographic tsunami (a rare occurrence where a name has purchase in both the 18–35 and 36–51 demographics) with both Liam Neeson and One Direction's Liam Payne making headlines.
#30. LIAM (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 218,279 (10,914 per year) | Liam is the shortened Irish version of the name William, a famous name of kings and conquerors throughout Medieval and modern British times. The name’s peak in 2017 could be linked to an unlikely demographic tsunami (a rare occurrence where a name has purchase in both the 18–35 and 36–51 demographics) with both Liam Neeson and One Direction’s Liam Payne making headlines.
#30. SOFIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 125,542 (6,277 per year) | Sofia is an alternate spelling of Sophia, which means “wisdom” in Greek and was the name of an early saint. Both Sofía Vergara and Sofia Coppola use the “f” spelling, which could explain its steady rise in popularity in the United States throughout the 2000s.
#29. NATHAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 222,523 (11,126 per year) | The name Nathan traces its roots to the Old Testament; Nathan was a prophet in the times of King David. The name first peaked in the United States use in 1981 before slumping and then reaching its ultimate peak in 2004.
#29. NATHAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 222,523 (11,126 per year) | The name Nathan traces its roots to the Old Testament; Nathan was a prophet in the times of King David. The name first peaked in the United States use in 1981 before slumping and then reaching its ultimate peak in 2004.
#29. LAUREN (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 125,974 (6,299 per year) | Lauren began as a boy's name, but became a popular female name during the age of Lauren Bacall. The name peaked in the United States in 1989 and had another mini-moment in 2000 before beginning to decline in popularity.
#29. LAUREN (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 125,974 (6,299 per year) | Lauren began as a boy’s name, but became a popular female name during the age of Lauren Bacall. The name peaked in the United States in 1989 and had another mini-moment in 2000 before beginning to decline in popularity.
#28. JONATHAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 224,257 (11,213 per year) | Jonathan is a biblical name; he was the son of Saul, the first king of Israel. The name peaked in the United States in 1985 and has been steadily declining since, save for a slight uptick during the height of Jonathan Taylor Thomas’ “Home Improvement” years.
#28. CHARLOTTE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 126,355 (6,318 per year) | The French female version of the name Charles arrived back in England in the 1600s. It was the arrival of another Charlotte in England in 2015, this time in the form of a royal baby, that helps explain the name's 2016 peak.
#28. CHARLOTTE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 126,355 (6,318 per year) | The French female version of the name Charles arrived back in England in the 1600s. It was the arrival of another Charlotte in England in 2015, this time in the form of a royal baby, that helps explain the name’s 2016 peak.
#27 TYLER (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 224,631 (11,232 per year) | Tyler came into use as an English surname, meaning, “one who tiles a roof.” The name took off in popularity in 1987 and reached its peak in the United States in 1994. It was never a hugely popular name for women, but it peaked as a unisex name in 1993.
#27 AMELIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 126,705 (6,335 per year) | This spelling of the name first came to England when the German Hanover family named two English princesses Amelia in the 1700s. The most famous Amelia may just be Amelia Earhart, the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a solo flight. She made the successful ocean crossing in 1932 in under 15 hours.
#27 AMELIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 126,705 (6,335 per year) | This spelling of the name first came to England when the German Hanover family named two English princesses Amelia in the 1700s. The most famous Amelia may just be Amelia Earhart, the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a solo flight. She made the successful ocean crossing in 1932 in under 15 hours.
#26. GABRIEL (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 224,817 (11,241 per year) | Gabriel is a biblical name, which means “God is my strength.” In the Bible, the archangel Gabriel appears on behalf of God multiple times. Though unlikely, one hopes the name bump comes from a generation falling in love with “Miller’s Crossing” and the criminally underrated Gabriel Byrne.
#26. EVELYN (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 127,434 (6,372 per year) | Evelyn traces its roots to an English surname brought over by the Germanic Normans. It has become related to similar-sounding girl’s names, Eve and Evelina. There is a male character named Evelyn on “Downton Abbey,” but it’s unclear what caused the bump in popularity for female Evelyns in 2017.
#25. CHRISTIAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 226,146 (11,307 per year) | As you’d expect, the name Christian has its roots in the religion; it comes from Christanus, “a Christian” in Latin. The name’s popularity first sparked in the United States in 1989, a year after Christian Slater starred in “The Heathers”; it descended in popularity in 1996 when he starred in the ill-received “Broken Arrow.”
#25. HAILEY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 129,558 (6,478 per year) | Hailey is a variant spelling of the name Hayley, which actually came into use as a surname (it means “hay-clearing” and was the name of an English town). It’s unclear who caused the initial jump in that variant spelling of Hailey, but now that Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin have tied the knot, the “ai” spelling could once again take off.
#24. DYLAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 236,139 (11,807 per year) | The name Dylan comes from Wales, where it means “great tide” and is the name of a Welsh mythological sea god. The name was the chosen surname of Bob Dylan, which was then used by parents hoping to honor their favorite artist. It also received an exponential “Beverly Hills, 90210” bump when Luke Perry’s Dylan McKay arrived on televisions and stole hearts.
#24. BRIANNA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 136,539 (6,827 per year) | Brianna is the female version of the name Brian, which traces its roots to Medieval Ireland. This spelling of Brianna rose in popularity throughout the 1990s before peaking in 2000; its popularity has plummeted since then.
#24. BRIANNA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 136,539 (6,827 per year) | Brianna is the female version of the name Brian, which traces its roots to Medieval Ireland. This spelling of Brianna rose in popularity throughout the 1990s before peaking in 2000; its popularity has plummeted since then.
#23. NICHOLAS (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 244,108 (12,205 per year) | The name Nicholas comes from Greece and is, of course, also the name of a saint (though that saint is better known as Santa Claus). The name hit its absolute usage peak in 1995, the year Nicolas Cage (spelled slightly differently) won Best Actor for his performance in “Leaving Las Vegas.”
#23. TAYLOR (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 139,067 (6,953 per year) | Taylor began as an English surname to denote that a family worked as a tailor; it was first popularized as a girls name in the 1980s. The name's use exploded from 1989 to 1993, during which time singer-songwriter Taylor Dayne became a giant pop star (her first single charted in 1987).
#23. TAYLOR (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 139,067 (6,953 per year) | Taylor began as an English surname to denote that a family worked as a tailor; it was first popularized as a girls name in the 1980s. The name’s use exploded from 1989 to 1993, during which time singer-songwriter Taylor Dayne became a giant pop star (her first single charted in 1987).
#22. SAMUEL (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 245,963 (12,298 per year) | This biblical name comes from the Old Testament; Samuel was a Hebrew judge who appointed both King Saul and King David to the throne. The name regained its late-1800s popularity in the late 1990s to early 2000s. As usual, Samuel L. Jackson was in many, many films during that period.
#22. SAMUEL (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 245,963 (12,298 per year) | This biblical name comes from the Old Testament; Samuel was a Hebrew judge who appointed both King Saul and King David to the throne. The name regained its late-1800s popularity in the late 1990s to early 2000s. As usual, Samuel L. Jackson was in many, many films during that period.
#22. ANNA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 141,187 (7,059 per year) | The name Anna traces its roots to the Old Testament and was hugely popular in Eastern Europe, but began to become popular among Westerners during the Middle Ages to honor Saint Anna (also known as Saint Anne), Mother Mary’s mother. The name was actually most popular in the 1880s in the United States, but had a second mini-peak around 2000. The protagonist of “Frozen” is named Anna, which cannot hurt its prospects going forward.
#21. ELIJAH (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 246,586 (12,329 per year) | This biblical name traces its roots to the Hebrew Bible's Book of Kings; Elijah was a prophet 800 years before Christ. The name's popularity took off in 1993, peaked in 2011 and has since stayed steady at over 13,000 babies per year, or 0.67% of babies.
#21. ELIJAH (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 246,586 (12,329 per year) | This biblical name traces its roots to the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Kings; Elijah was a prophet 800 years before Christ. The name’s popularity took off in 1993, peaked in 2011 and has since stayed steady at over 13,000 babies per year, or 0.67% of babies.
#21. ALYSSA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 152,249 (7,612 per year) | This spelling of Alyssa comes from the alyssum flower, thought to cure madness by early healers. The name’s use peaked in the United States in 1999; Alyssa Milano starred on “Charmed” the year before and “Melrose Place” the year before that.
#20. MASON (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 247,834 (12,392 per year) | Mason, which came to use as a surname, traces its roots all the way back to Old English, where it meant “stone worker.” The name grew in popularity exponentially between 2009 and 2011; Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian named their son Mason Dash Disick in December 2009.
#20. ELLA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 153,037 (7,652 per year) | This name was introduced to England by the Normans and was popular during the Middle Ages. The name's use dipped precipitously in the United States to the point where it was not on the charts in the mid-80s, but Ella has seen a renaissance since the turn of the millennium. Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, passed away in 1996, which may have brought the name back to the front of America's mind.
#20. ELLA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 153,037 (7,652 per year) | This name was introduced to England by the Normans and was popular during the Middle Ages. The name’s use dipped precipitously in the United States to the point where it was not on the charts in the mid-80s, but Ella has seen a renaissance since the turn of the millennium. Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, passed away in 1996, which may have brought the name back to the front of America’s mind.
#19. LOGAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 260,384 (13,019 per year) | The name Logan came into use as a Scottish surname; it meant “little hollow” in Scottish Gaelic. The name peaked in 2007 but reached the same level again last year. The YouTuber Logan Paul earned $12.5 million off of his streams in 2017; he received 3 million views per day that year.
#19. VICTORIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 155,685 (7,784 per year) | The name comes from the ancient Roman word for victory, but became much more popular in the West after the reign of Queen Victoria. The name’s popularity rose exponentially between 1983 and 1993; the character Victoria Newman was born on “The Young and the Restless” in 1982.
#18. JOHN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 263,182 (13,159 per year) | This name is used in both the Old and New Testaments, but became one of the most common names in antiquity thanks to both John the Baptist and the apostle John. An incredible 8.2% of American babies were named John in 1880; in 2017, less than 0.5% were given the popular name.
#18. JOHN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 263,182 (13,159 per year) | This name is used in both the Old and New Testaments, but became one of the most common names in antiquity thanks to both John the Baptist and the apostle John. An incredible 8.2% of American babies were named John in 1880; in 2017, less than 0.5% were given the popular name.
#18. NATALIE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 162,984 (8,149 per year) | Natalie comes from the name Natalia, which means “Christmas morning” in Latin. The name was much more popular in Eastern Europe, but has taken off in the United States since the 1960s, peaking in 2006, right after Natalie Portman ended her run in the “Star Wars” prequels.
#17. RYAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 263,919 (13,196 per year) | This name originated as an Irish surname and stems from an Irish word that means “king.” The name peaked in popularity in 1985 but had another smaller uptick in 2003. “The O.C.”—with protagonist Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie)—premiered on Fox that year.
#17. ASHLEY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 170,171 (8,509 per year) | This name began as an English surname and then was mainly given to boys until the 1960s. Today, it is almost exclusively a girl’s name. The name first took off in 1982 (eventually peeking in 1987); the character Ashley Abbott first appeared on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless” in June of 1982.
#16. BENJAMIN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 271,168 (13,558 per year) | This is a biblical name from the Old Testament; Benjamin was Jacob’s youngest son and was thought to be the leader of one of the 12 tribes. The name became hugely popular starting in the early ’70s and has stayed relatively consistent since that moment. The early-’70s jump may have been tied to Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, the character played by Alan Alda on the television series “M*A*S*H*,” which premiered in 1972.
#16. SARAH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 170,713 (8,536 per year) | This is a biblical name that traces its roots to the Old Testament; Sarah was the wife of Abraham and the matriarch of the Jewish people. The name took off in the 1970s and was already in decline by 2000 when it accounted for 0.89% of babies' names.
#16. SARAH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 170,713 (8,536 per year) | This is a biblical name that traces its roots to the Old Testament; Sarah was the wife of Abraham and the matriarch of the Jewish people. The name took off in the 1970s and was already in decline by 2000 when it accounted for 0.89% of babies’ names.
#15. DAVID (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 295,884 (14,794 per year) | The biblical name comes from the Old Testament story; David defeated the giant Goliath with a slingshot and then became the Jewish king. The name was most popular in the mid-1950s in America has slowly, but has steadily declined in popularity throughout the 2000s. Of course, David is the first name of one of the great rock stars (Bowie), one of the most divisive sitcom stars (Schwimmer), one of the best modern directors (Fincher), and that one statue in Florence (Michelangelo’s “David”).
#15. ALEXIS (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 170,991 (8,550 per year) | Alexis stems from ancient Greece where it meant “helper” or “defender.” It is a unisex name, but was given mainly to girls in the United States, especially after 1990. The uptick in female Alexises began in the 1980s around the time Alexis Colby (Joan Collins) started her run on “Dynasty.”
#14. JAMES (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 302,060 (15,103 per year) | The name James comes from the New Testament; it was the name of two of the 12 apostles. It was hugely popular through the 1940s and has declined since then, but has stabilized over the last two decades. A few famous James include: character James Bond, singer-songwriter James Brown, Founding Father James Madison, and James from “James and the Giant Peach.”
#14. CHLOE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 181,426 (9,071 per year) | Chloe is a Greek name that refers to new plants blooming in the spring. The name Chloe has taken off in popularity in the United States since 1997, peaking in 2009. Actresses Chloe Sevigny and Chloe Grace Moretz both spell their name with an umlaut.
#14. CHLOE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 181,426 (9,071 per year) | Chloe is a Greek name that refers to new plants blooming in the spring. The name Chloe has taken off in popularity in the United States since 1997, peaking in 2009. Actresses Chloe Sevigny and Chloe Grace Moretz both spell their name with an umlaut.
#13. ANTHONY (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 303,534 (15,177 per year) | The name Anthony traces its roots to an ancient Roman surname, Antonius, most notably borne by Marcus Antonius, also known as Mark Anthony. The name took off in the 1960s and then again in the 1980s, hitting its absolute popularity peak in 1987. It has declined in popularity since then, but had a short resurgence in the early 2000s, at the same time James Gandolfini was playing Anthony Soprano on HBO.
#13. ANTHONY (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 303,534 (15,177 per year) | The name Anthony traces its roots to an ancient Roman surname, Antonius, most notably borne by Marcus Antonius, also known as Mark Anthony. The name took off in the 1960s and then again in the 1980s, hitting its absolute popularity peak in 1987. It has declined in popularity since then, but had a short resurgence in the early 2000s, at the same time James Gandolfini was playing Anthony Soprano on HBO.
#13. GRACE (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 183,380 (9,169 per year) | This name comes from the word Grace, but its roots as a name trace to the Puritans penchant for names that signaled virtue (or warned of sin). The name grew in popularity, taking off in 1998 before peaking in 2003; the NBC sitcom “Will and Grace” originally ran from 1998 to 2006.
#12. CHRISTOPHER (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 304,942 (15,247 per year) | Christopher is a combination of the Greek words for “Christ” and “carry.” The name took off in popularity during the 1960s before hitting its absolute popularity peak in 1984. There have been steadily less Christophers born each year since then.
#12. SAMANTHA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 191,026 (9,551 per year) | An adaptation of the biblical name Samuel, Samantha is thought to have been created in the American South during the 1800s. The name grew in popularity starting in 1965, but did not hit its absolute peak until 1991. The premiere of “Bewitched,” which starred Elizabeth Montgomery as a beautiful witch named Samantha, is credited with the name’s popularity boost in the mid-1960s.
#11. ANDREW (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 307,019 (15,351 per year) | This is the English form of an ancient Greek name and also traces its roots to the New Testament; Saint Andrew was one of Jesus’s apostles. The name took off in the 1960s before peaking in popularity in 1987; “The Andy Griffith Show” ran from 1960 to 1968 and then Griffith starred in “Matlock” from 1986–1995. Also, Orson Scott Card named the protagonist in 1985’s “Ender’s Game” Andrew “Ender” Wiggin.
#11. MIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 212,113 (10,606 per year) | Mia originated as a shortened version of the name Maria, which was the name of Jesus' mother. The name jumped in popularity in 1999, the same year that Mia Hamm starred in the United States-hosted FIFA Women's World Cup.
#11. MIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 212,113 (10,606 per year) | Mia originated as a shortened version of the name Maria, which was the name of Jesus’ mother. The name jumped in popularity in 1999, the same year that Mia Hamm starred in the United States-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup.
#10. JOSEPH (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 309,687 (15,484 per year) | This is a biblical name from the Old Testament; Joseph was Jacob's 11th (and favorite) son, who was sent to Egypt as punishment by his vengeful brothers. Joseph was an incredibly popular name in the early 1900s and has steadily declined since that point. Still, the name remains one of the most popular among American boys.
#10. JOSEPH (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 309,687 (15,484 per year) | This is a biblical name from the Old Testament; Joseph was Jacob’s 11th (and favorite) son, who was sent to Egypt as punishment by his vengeful brothers. Joseph was an incredibly popular name in the early 1900s and has steadily declined since that point. Still, the name remains one of the most popular among American boys.
#10. HANNAH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 219,865 (10,993 per year) | This name comes from the Old Testament; Hannah was barren until a prayer was answered and she became the mother of Samuel. The name took off in the early 1980s and finally peaked in popularity in 2000. Its popularity fell precipitously until 2011 when it stabilized; “Hannah Montana” concluded its run in January of that year.
#9. ALEXANDER (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 320,325 (16,016 per year) | This name was first popularized by the Macedonian King Alexander the Great who conquered huge swaths of land four centuries before Christ. The name took off in popularity in 1980 before peaking in 1993. The year before Alex Trebek hosted “Jeopardy,” there were 4,798 Alexes born in America; a decade later, there were 20,094.
#9. ELIZABETH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 226,965 (11,348 per year) | This biblical name comes from both the Old and New Testaments; Elizabeth was the name of the wife of Moses' brother Aaron and of the mother of John the Baptist. The name has been popular since the reign of Elizabeth I and continues to be a favorite for the royal set.
#9. ELIZABETH (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 226,965 (11,348 per year) | This biblical name comes from both the Old and New Testaments; Elizabeth was the name of the wife of Moses’ brother Aaron and of the mother of John the Baptist. The name has been popular since the reign of Elizabeth I and continues to be a favorite for the royal set.
#8. NOAH (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 325,907 (16,295 per year) | This biblical name comes from the Old Testament story of Noah, his ark, and the great flood. The popularity of the name Noah has grown since 1994 and exploded after 2004. Ryan Gosling played Noah Calhoun in “The Notebook” in 2004.
#8. AVA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 259,802 (12,990 per year) | Ava is a variation of the name Eve, which comes from the New Testament; Eve, along with Adam, were the first people created by God, according to scripture. The most famous bearer of the name is the actress Ava Gardner; the name took off in popularity in 1997, the same year Heather Locklear named her daughter Ava. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe named their daughter Ava two years later in 1999.
#8. AVA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 259,802 (12,990 per year) | Ava is a variation of the name Eve, which comes from the New Testament; Eve, along with Adam, were the first people created by God, according to scripture. The most famous bearer of the name is the actress Ava Gardner; the name took off in popularity in 1997, the same year Heather Locklear named her daughter Ava. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe named their daughter Ava two years later in 1999.
#7. DANIEL (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 337,019 (16,851 per year) | This Old Testament name also got a bump from a pair of 17th- and 18th-century Daniels: “Robinson Crusoe” author Daniel Defoe and the frontiersman Daniel Boone. The name has been declining in popularity since its 1985 peak, but stabilized for a moment in 1994, the year Dan Marino appeared in the Jim Carrey classic “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.”
#7. ABIGAIL (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 269,111 (13,456 per year) | This is an Old Testament name; Abigail became the third wife of King David. The name’s popularity exploded throughout the 1990s before reaching its peak in 2003. There were characters named Abigail on the popular soap operas “Days of Our Lives” and “As the World Turns” during that period, and Maura Tierney began her run as Abby Lockhart on the hit series “ER” in 1999.
#6. JOSHUA (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 337,586 (16,879 per year) | This is a biblical name that comes from the Old Testament; Joshua was Moses's right-hand man who became the leader of the Israelites when Moses died. The name became hugely popular in America in the 1970s before peaking in 1985; Josh Hartnett, born in 1978, was part of that Joshua baby boom.
#6. JOSHUA (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 337,586 (16,879 per year) | This is a biblical name that comes from the Old Testament; Joshua was Moses’s right-hand man who became the leader of the Israelites when Moses died. The name became hugely popular in America in the 1970s before peaking in 1985; Josh Hartnett, born in 1978, was part of that Joshua baby boom.
#6. MADISON (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 291,242 (14,562 per year) | This name came into use as an English surname before becoming a common first name for women in the mid-80s. The name’s popularity surge was brought on by the 1984 Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah rom-com “Splash” — the mermaid played by Hannah chooses the name Madison after seeing it on a street sign.
#5. MATTHEW (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 346,045 (17,302 per year) | This biblical name traces its roots to the New Testament in which Matthew was one of the 12 apostles and the author of the first gospel. The name steadily rose in prominence from 1960 to 1983 before beginning its popularity decline. Its decline slowed in 2010, but the name there still have been a smaller percentage of Matthews born each year since 1983. Not even the McConaissance could bring Matthew a bump.
#5. MATTHEW (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 346,045 (17,302 per year) | This biblical name traces its roots to the New Testament in which Matthew was one of the 12 apostles and the author of the first gospel. The name steadily rose in prominence from 1960 to 1983 before beginning its popularity decline. Its decline slowed in 2010, but the name there still have been a smaller percentage of Matthews born each year since 1983. Not even the McConaissance could bring Matthew a bump.
#5. SOPHIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 299,777 (14,989 per year) | The name Sophia means “grief” in Greek and was the name of an early saint who lost three daughters during a Roman emperor’s reign. The most iconic Sophia of modernity is the actress Sophia Loren, but the name actually had its biggest popularity boost starting in 1995 before its 2012 peak. Madison Lintz played the character Sophia Peletier on “The Walking Dead” from 2010 until 2012.
#4. ETHAN (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 350,410 (17,521 per year) | This name comes from the Old Testament, which featured a number of Ethans. The name took off in popularity in the mid-90s; Ethan Hawke starred in “Reality Bites” in 1994 and the “Mission: Impossible” film series, starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, began its run in 1996.
#4. ISABELLA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 319,319 (15,966 per year) | This name is related to the name Isabel, which itself traces its roots to a Medieval version of the name Elizabeth. The name Isabella was rare until 1990 when its popularity rose exponentially until its peak in 2010. The name’s growth was buoyed by the “Twilight” series, which was published in 2005 and followed protagonist Bella Swan. But one diligent blogger traced the Isabella spark back to 1993 when Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise adopted a little girl named Isabella.
#3. WILLIAM (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 353,579 (17,679 per year) | This English name has been given to many a king since William the Conqueror became king of England in 1066. Prince William is currently second in line to the English throne; he, his wife Kate Middleton, and their children are favorites of English and American tabloids. The name was incredibly popular in 1880 and has been steadily declining in prominence since then in the United States.
#3. WILLIAM (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 353,579 (17,679 per year) | This English name has been given to many a king since William the Conqueror became king of England in 1066. Prince William is currently second in line to the English throne; he, his wife Kate Middleton, and their children are favorites of English and American tabloids. The name was incredibly popular in 1880 and has been steadily declining in prominence since then in the United States.
#3. OLIVIA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 339,849 (16,992 per year) | The name Olivia traces its roots to the Shakespeare play “The Twelfth Night”—it probably comes from the name Oliver, Oliva, or the word “olive.” The name’s popularity took off in the 1990s and continues to rise today. Today, the name is borne by the actresses Olivia Munn and Olivia Wilde, and is the name of Kerry Washington’s much-loved character on the ABC megahit drama “The Scandal.”
#2. MICHAEL (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 394,916 (19,746 per year) | This biblical name comes from both the Old and New Testaments; Michael was an archangel who was said to lead the army of Heaven against Satan in the Book of Revelation. The name took off in America in the mid-1930s, finally hitting its peak in 1969. Both Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson were born during the name's high-water mark period.
#2. MICHAEL (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 394,916 (19,746 per year) | This biblical name comes from both the Old and New Testaments; Michael was an archangel who was said to lead the army of Heaven against Satan in the Book of Revelation. The name took off in America in the mid-1930s, finally hitting its peak in 1969. Both Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson were born during the name’s high-water mark period.
#2. EMILY (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 340,941 (17,047 per year) | Emily is the English and female version of the name Emil and came to prominence in England when the German Hanover princess Amelia began to go by Emily after her family took the English throne. The name exploded in popularity in the 1970s and was the most popular girl’s name in the United States from 1996 to 2007. Amber Tamblyn began her run as Emily Quartermaine on “General Hospital” in January of 1995.
#1. JACOB (FOR BOYS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 436,333 (21,817 per year) | This biblical name comes from the Old Testament; Jacob was the grandson of Abraham and is considered to be the father of the Israelites. Jacob was the most popular name for American boys from 1999 to 2012. Jake Gyllenhaal had his breakout performance in “October Sky” in 1999.
#1. EMMA (FOR GIRLS) | Total babies born in the 21st century: 375,592 (18,780 per year) | The name Emma came to England at the beginning of the 11th century when she married first King Ethelred and then King Canute who both ruled Medieval England. The name was hugely popular in America in the late 1800s and then had a renaissance beginning in the mid-1990s. The late-1800s popularity could have been tied to the writer Emma Lazarus or the Jane Austen novel, “Emma”; the 2003 peak can be explained by the birth of Emma Geller-Green, the daughter of Ross and Rachel on “Friends” in May 2002.