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Discover the most-loved baby names. These are the top names parents are choosing for their little ones, ranked by popularity.
Popular names have stood the test of time and are loved by many for good reason.
Common names are familiar, reducing spelling and pronunciation issues.
Well-known names are often seen as professional and trustworthy.
Popular names often have lovely meanings and rich cultural histories.
The most popular names for girls
Olive tree
Whole, universal
Life, bird
Free woman, petite
Wisdom
Industrious, striving
Devoted to God
Mine, beloved
Wished for child
Harp player
Young ceremonial attendant
God is gracious
Father's joy
Moon
All, completely
God is my oath
Wisdom
Industrious, eager
Ruler of elves
Gracious, dear
Red, scarlet
Bright, shining one
Son of Maud
Night, dark beauty
Weaver
Air, song, melody
Blooming, fertility
Elegance, blessing
Bright shining one
Honor, light
Hazel tree
Life
Courageous
Victory
Lily flower, purity
Dawn
Purple flower
New, star
Grace, favor
Rival, eager
Life
Star
From the boar meadow
Island
Weary, delicate
Lily flower
Son of Adam
Willow tree
Light
Church, cemetery
The most popular names for boys
Strong-willed warrior
Rest, comfort
Olive tree
My God is Yahweh
Resolute protector
Supplanter
Son of the right hand
Bringer of light
Ruler of the home
Defender of the people
Stone worker
Who is like God?
Strong, firm
God is my judge
Supplanter
Little hollow
Son of Jack
Joined, attached
Venerable, revered
Gift of God
God is gracious
Young warrior
Gift of God
Little fire
Heard by God
God will increase
God is gracious
Beloved
Brave in war
Gift of God
Light-giving
Happy, blessed
Cart driver
Youthful, downy
Son of the steward
Lion
Thankful
God is my strength
He will laugh
Lake colony
Priceless one
Hugh's son
Son of the sea
Helper
Twin
Free man
Bearer of Christ
Son of Jack
Independent, nonconformist
God supports
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In the most recent SSA birth year we have imported, 2020, the #1 girl name was Olivia and the #1 boy name was Liam. These names have held top positions for several years. Olivia has been #1 for girls since 2019, while Liam has dominated boy names since 2017.
For babies born in 2020, the top 10 girl names were Olivia, Emma, Ava, Charlotte, Sophia, Amelia, Isabella, Mia, Evelyn, and Harper. The top 10 boy names were Liam, Noah, Oliver, Elijah, William, James, Benjamin, Lucas, Henry, and Alexander.
Our editors see momentum behind Maeve, Wren, Isla, and Hazel for girls, and Theodore, Ezra, Silas, and Atticus for boys. Vintage names and nature-inspired names are seeing the biggest gains in popularity.
Both have advantages. Popular names are familiar, easy to spell, and professional. Unique names help your child stand out and feel special. Many parents choose names ranked 50-200 for the best of both worlds - recognizable but not overly common.
The ranks on this site are calculated from the Social Security Administration national baby-name file, which counts every name given to at least five babies born in the United States in a year. We currently use the 2020 birth year, so a rank of #1 means that name was given to more babies of that sex than any other name in 2020. The SSA publishes a new year annually; our ranks update when we import it.
All baby name popularity ranks on BabyNameScout are calculated from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) national baby-name file for birth year 2020. The SSA has published these counts since 1880, recording every name given to babies with issued Social Security cards. We ranked the 2020 file ourselves: names are sorted by birth count within each sex, and rank 1 is the highest count. 2020 is the newest year we have imported — SSA has released later years that we have not yet processed — so no rank here should be read as a current-year figure.
We have imported a single birth year (2020), so we do not compute year-over-year movement. Where our articles call a name a rising star, a falling name or a steady classic, that is editorial commentary rather than a figure calculated from multi-year SSA data.
The SSA publishes a new birth year each spring. Our ranks change only when we import a newer file; today every rank on the site describes births in 2020.
Popular baby names become beloved for many reasons: beautiful sounds, meaningful origins, cultural significance, and timeless appeal. While some parents worry about their child sharing a name with classmates, popular names offer familiarity and ease of use that can be valuable throughout life.
The most popular names often reflect current cultural trends while maintaining classic appeal. Names like Olivia, Emma, Liam, and Noah have dominated popularity charts because they balance tradition with contemporary style. These names work well across different ages, from cute for babies to professional for adults.
When considering a popular name, think about its staying power. Will it still feel fresh in 10 or 20 years? Many parents find that popular names have proven their longevity, remaining beloved across generations. You can also make a popular name unique through creative middle name pairings or meaningful family connections.
The most popular names come from diverse origins. Latin names (Olivia, Julia), Hebrew names (Noah, Elijah), Greek names (Sophia, Alexander), and Germanic names (Emma, William) consistently rank high. Explore names by origin to find popular choices from your preferred cultural background.