Popular Baby Names
Popular names are popular for a reason: they’re easy to spell, easy to say and they age well. In the US, Social Security Administration (SSA) data has shown Olivia and Liam at or near the top for years, with Emma, Charlotte, Amelia, Noah, Oliver and Theodore close behind. Below you’ll find the names parents are choosing most right now, with meanings and origins for each.
We’ve grouped 100+ names into the current top girls’ and boys’ names, fast risers, popular gender-neutral names, evergreen classics, favorites across the UK and other English-speaking countries, and the most-used middle names. If you’d rather stand out, compare with our unique baby names; for the gender-specific rankings, see popular girl names and popular boy names.
Most popular girl names
These names have filled the upper reaches of the SSA’s girls’ list in recent years. Many are soft, vowel-rich names with vintage roots. More in popular girl names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Olivia | Olive tree; peace | Latin |
| Emma | Whole, universal | Germanic |
| Charlotte | Free (feminine of Charles) | French |
| Amelia | Work, industrious | Germanic |
| Sophia | Wisdom | Greek |
| Mia | Mine (Italian); also short for Maria | Italian, Scandinavian |
| Isabella | God is my oath | Italian, from Hebrew |
| Ava | Possibly “bird” (Latin avis) or a form of Eve, “life” | Latin, Germanic |
| Evelyn | Possibly from Aveline, “hazelnut” or “desired” | English, Norman |
| Luna | Moon | Latin |
| Harper | Harp player | English |
| Sofia | Wisdom | Spanish, Italian |
| Camila | Attendant, helper at religious rites | Latin, Spanish |
| Eleanor | Possibly “the other Aénor”; often read as “light” | French, Provençal |
| Elizabeth | God is my oath | Hebrew |
| Violet | The purple flower | Latin |
| Scarlett | Scarlet, a rich red cloth | English |
| Hazel | The hazel tree | English |
| Aurora | Dawn | Latin |
| Penelope | Weaver | Greek |
Most popular boy names
The top boys’ names mix biblical classics with softer modern favorites. More in popular boy names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Liam | Helmet of will, protector (from William) | Irish |
| Noah | Rest, comfort | Hebrew |
| Oliver | Olive tree | Latin, via French |
| Theodore | Gift of God | Greek |
| James | Supplanter (from Jacob) | Hebrew |
| Henry | Ruler of the home | Germanic |
| Mateo | Gift of God | Spanish |
| Elijah | My God is Yahweh | Hebrew |
| Lucas | From Lucania; often read as “light” | Latin, Greek |
| William | Resolute protector | Germanic |
| Benjamin | Son of the right hand | Hebrew |
| Levi | Joined, attached | Hebrew |
| Sebastian | Venerable, revered | Greek |
| Jack | God is gracious (from John) | English |
| Michael | Who is like God? | Hebrew |
| Daniel | God is my judge | Hebrew |
| Leo | Lion | Latin |
| Owen | Well-born, noble | Welsh |
| Samuel | God has heard | Hebrew |
| Hudson | Son of Hudde | English |
Rising names to watch
These names have climbed quickly up the charts in recent years — popular, but not yet everywhere. For more fresh ideas, see cute baby names.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Maeve | She who intoxicates | Girl |
| Ophelia | Help, benefit | Girl |
| Margot | Pearl | Girl |
| Sloane | Raider (Irish Sluaghán) | Girl |
| Wren | The songbird | Girl |
| Josie | God will increase (from Josephine) | Girl |
| Daisy | Day’s eye | Girl |
| Adeline | Noble | Girl |
| Lainey | Short for Elaine, “bright, shining light” | Girl |
| Theo | God (short for Theodore) | Boy |
| Kai | Sea (Hawaiian) | Boy |
| Atlas | The Titan who bore the sky | Boy |
| Enzo | Italian, linked to Heinz, “home ruler” | Boy |
| Milo | Possibly “soldier” or “merciful” | Boy |
| Beau | Handsome | Boy |
| Silas | Of the forest | Boy |
| Jude | Praised | Boy |
Popular gender-neutral names
Unisex names keep growing in popularity. See our full lists of unisex names and gender-neutral names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Avery | Elf ruler | English, Norman |
| Riley | Rye clearing | Irish, English |
| Parker | Park keeper | English |
| Rowan | Little red one; the rowan tree | Irish |
| River | A flowing stream | English |
| Emerson | Son of Emery | English |
| Quinn | Descendant of Conn, “chief” | Irish |
| Charlie | Free (from Charles) | English |
| Hayden | Hay valley | English |
| Jordan | To flow down | Hebrew |
| Finley | Fair-haired warrior | Scottish |
| Sawyer | Woodcutter | English |
Evergreen classics that never leave the list
These names have stayed in wide use for generations — safe, familiar and endlessly adaptable. See our classic girl names and classic boy names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Catherine | Pure | Greek |
| Margaret | Pearl | Greek |
| Anna | Grace, favor | Hebrew |
| Sarah | Princess | Hebrew |
| Grace | Grace, charm | Latin |
| Rose | The rose flower | Latin |
| Thomas | Twin | Aramaic |
| Andrew | Manly, strong | Greek |
| Joshua | God is salvation | Hebrew |
| Christopher | Bearer of Christ | Greek |
| Matthew | Gift of God | Hebrew |
| Joseph | He will add | Hebrew |
Popular in the UK, Ireland and Australia
English-speaking countries share many favorites, but each has its own flavor. These names rank high in the UK’s ONS lists and similar national data; browse British names for more.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Muhammad | Praised, praiseworthy | Boy |
| George | Farmer, earth-worker | Boy |
| Arthur | Possibly “bear” (Welsh <em>arth</em>) | Boy |
| Oscar | Deer lover, or divine spear | Boy |
| Freddie | Peaceful ruler (from Frederick) | Boy |
| Alfie | Elf counsel (from Alfred) | Boy |
| Isla | From the Scottish island of Islay | Girl |
| Freya | Lady; the Norse goddess of love | Girl |
| Florence | Flourishing, blooming | Girl |
| Poppy | The red flower | Girl |
| Ivy | The evergreen vine | Girl |
| Lily | The lily flower | Girl |
Most-used middle names
Short, one-syllable middle names balance a longer first name — they’re the unsung heroes of popular naming. See our middle names guide.
| Name | Meaning | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| Mae | The month of May | Girls |
| Jane | God is gracious | Girls |
| Marie | Beloved, or bitter (from Mary) | Girls |
| Lynn | Lake, waterfall | Girls |
| Louise | Famous warrior | Girls |
| Jean | God is gracious | Girls |
| Ray | Counsel protector (from Raymond) | Boys |
| Lee | Meadow, clearing | Boys |
| Allen | Possibly “little rock” or “handsome” | Boys |
| Wayne | Wagon maker | Boys |
How to use popularity when choosing a name
- Check the numbers. The SSA publishes US name rankings every spring; a name at #5 may be shared by several kids in your child’s school year.
- Decide how much you mind. Some parents love a familiar name; others would rather choose from rare names. Neither is wrong.
- Look at the trend, not only the rank. A name that is climbing fast (Maeve, Atlas) will feel more common in five years than one that has held steady.
- Personalize a popular name. A distinctive middle name or nickname (Theodore → Teddy, Charlotte → Lottie) keeps a top-ten name feeling personal.
- Say it with your surname. Popular names often have many spellings — pick the one that’s easiest with your last name.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular baby name?
In recent SSA data for the United States, Olivia has been the top girls’ name and Liam the top boys’ name for several years running, with Emma, Charlotte, Noah and Oliver close behind.
What are the most popular girl names right now?
Olivia, Emma, Charlotte, Amelia, Sophia, Mia, Isabella, Ava, Evelyn and Luna have all been near the top of recent US charts.
What are the most popular boy names right now?
Liam, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas and William have all ranked near the top in recent US data.
Where do baby name rankings come from?
In the US, the Social Security Administration publishes annual rankings from Social Security card applications. England and Wales use the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and most other countries have similar national statistics offices.
Is it bad to choose a popular baby name?
Not at all. Popular names are easy to spell and pronounce. The only trade-off is that your child may share the name with classmates, which a middle name or nickname can solve.