Stories behind the 50 most popular baby names for boys
Stories behind the 50 most popular baby names for boys
As if parents don't have enough to consider when anticipating the arrival of a new child, selecting a name introduces a whole other set of complications. Should they go with a family name, or consider something new and modern? What about something unusual, versus something well-known and loved? The possibilities aren't actually endless, but they may feel like it to new moms and dads.
The good news is that 麻豆原创 has researched each of the in the United States according to the Social Security Administration, and gathered information about each of them including their meanings, origins, and how they may relate to popular trends. Parents with classic or current tastes will see a wide range of monikers represented.
Read on to see which popular boy's name means "olive tree," which name has been the most popular male name in the United States 44 times in the past century, and which two names rose to popularity shortly after the original "Star Wars" movie was released.
RELATED:
#50. Caleb
Number of babies named: 7,084
Rank in 2016: #44 (six spots higher than 2017)
The name Caleb comes from the Hebrew word for 鈥渄og.鈥 Modern translations, however, often include.
#49. Charles
Number of babies named: 7,130
Rank in 2016: #51 (two spots lower than 2017)
When it comes to name popularity, Charles isn't in charge anymore, though it has proven timeless,. The royal moniker has German and English roots, and means 鈥渇ree man.鈥
#48. Thomas
Number of babies named: 7,131
Rank in 2016: #48 (no change from 2017)
In Aramaic, Thomas means 鈥渢win.鈥 The name has biblical ties, too. In the New Testament, it's Thomas the apostle who doubted the return of Jesus, inspiring the term 鈥.鈥
#47. Isaiah
Number of babies named: 7,165
Rank in 2016: #47 (no change from 2017)
Another name with biblical roots,.鈥 There's also a Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, attributed to the prophet of the same name.
#46. Aaron
Number of babies named: 7,165
Rank in 2016: #49 (three spots lower than 2017)
Aaron has the esteemed." In addition to the United States, the name has also in Scotland, Ireland, and Spain.
#45. Nathan
Number of babies named: 7,390
Rank in 2016: #43 (two spots higher than 2017)
Nathan, often shortened to 鈥淣ate,鈥.鈥 Nathan has been in the Top 100 names since 1972, in 2004 and 2005.
#44. Jaxon
Number of babies named: 7,649
Rank in 2016: #41 (three spots higher than 2017)
Jaxon, another version of Jackson, is quite literally 鈥.鈥 Jaxon in 1997, and has been climbing up the ranks ever since.
#43. Ryan
Number of babies named: 7,652
Rank in 2016: #40 (three spots higher than 2017)
With Irish origins and a,鈥 boys named Ryan share the name with a number of well-known celebrities. Ryan O'Neal was one of the first to, and nowadays, actors like Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, and TV and radio host Ryan Seacrest.
#42. Mateo
Number of babies named: 7,726
Rank in 2016: #59 (17 spots lower than 2017)
A Spanish take on a biblical name, Mateo has soared in popularity in recent years while the English version, Matthew, has been steadily for decades. The name means, 鈥淕ift of God.鈥
#41. Lincoln
Number of babies named: 8,146
Rank in 2016: #50 (nine spots lower than 2017)
Perhaps most well-known as the surname of the, Lincoln now holds its own as a popular first name. The name has Celtic and English origins, and means "lakeside colony."
#40. Andrew
Number of babies named: 8,215
Rank in 2016: #34 (six spots higher than 2017)
The name Andrew has biblical roots, and means 鈥渕anly.鈥 It's often shortened to Andy or Drew, both of which also made it to the
#39. Joshua
Number of babies named: 8,239
Rank in 2016: #35 (four spots higher than 2017)
Modern-day Joshuas in the Bible's Old Testament. Its common nickname, Josh, also has that date back to the Old West.
#38. Christopher
Number of babies named: 8,255
Rank in 2016: #36 (two spots higher than 2017)
Christopher has Greek origins and a meaning of 鈥渙ne who carries Christ.鈥 It has been a popular name for boys for decades, first in 1972鈥'73, and then again from 1979 to 1994.
#37. Levi
Number of babies named: 8,367
Rank in 2016: #42 (five spots lower than 2017)
Meaning 鈥,鈥 Levi has roots in Hebrew. The name also has ties to modern U.S. history since it also belongs to Levi Strauss, whose Levi Strauss and Co..
#36. Julian
Number of babies named: 8,393
Rank in 2016: #39 (three spots lower than 2017)
With English and Latin origins, Julian." It's been one of the top 100 boy names in the United States since 2000,.
#35. Jack
Number of babies named: 8,419
Rank in 2016: #38 (three spots lower than 2017)
Jack is one of the few names to make the list that's widely. Few male names rival it in long-term popularity. It was so common in the Middle Ages, in fact, that it was a.鈥
#34. Grayson
Number of babies named: 8,640
Rank in 2016: #37 (three spots lower than 2017)
An English name that means 鈥渟on of the gray-haired one,鈥 Grayson also serves as a surname. Those with the name share it with the fictional Dick Grayson,, sidekick to superhero Batman.
#33. Isaac
Number of babies named: 8,796
Rank in 2016: #31 (two spots higher than 2017)
Another name with strong biblical roots, Isaac is.鈥 In all seriousness, the name also belongs to renowned English physicist, Isaac Newton.
#32. Anthony
Number of babies named: 8,802
Rank in 2016: #30 (two spots higher than 2017)
Most parents probably feel that their sons are beyond precious, and the name Anthony fits those sentiments well. It's Latin in origin, and means 鈥.鈥
#31. Gabriel
Number of babies named: 9,083
Rank in 2016: #25 (six spots higher than 2017)
The name of a messenger of God in the Bible, Gabriel." The angel Gabriel also serves as a.
#30. Luke
Number of babies named: 9,163
Rank in 2016: #29 (one spot higher than 2017)
Luke has a.鈥 It also has biblical ties鈥攖he third book in the New Testament is the Book of Luke鈥攁s well as pop culture connections. The original 鈥淪tar Wars鈥 film, with lead character Luke Skywalker, was released in 1977, just three years before on the top 100 names chart.
#29. Dylan
Number of babies named: 9,268
Rank in 2016: #32 (three spots lower than 2017)
Dylan as a name first, shortly after recording artist Bob Dylan came on the scene. It also has origins in Welsh mythology as the.
#28. Owen
Number of babies named: 9,312
Rank in 2016: #23 (five spots higher than 2017)
A traditional Welsh name, parents who pick the name Owen may be drawn to its meanings of 鈥測oung warrior鈥 and 鈥渘oble.鈥 Well-known Owens of pop culture include, the title character in John Irving's 鈥,鈥 and more recently, of the 鈥淛urassic World鈥 movie series.
#27. John
Number of babies named: 9,434
Rank in 2016: #28 (one spot lower than 2017)
John reigns as one of the most popular boy names of all time, with over since 1918. The name means 鈥淕od is gracious鈥 in Hebrew.
#26. Jayden
Number of babies named: 9,495
Rank in 2016: #27 (one spot lower than 2017)
A newer name to climb the charts, Jayden skyrocketed to popularity in the first decade of this century when for their sons. The name, which has Hebrew roots and means "thankful," was given to between 2000 and 2009.
#25. Wyatt
Number of babies named: 9,661
Rank in 2016: #33 (eight spots lower than 2017)
With roots as an English last name, Wyatt is now popular as a first name, too. It means 鈥.鈥
#24. Carter
Number of babies named: 9,753
Rank in 2016: #26 (two spots lower than 2017)
An adapted English, Carter has been consistently in the . It reached its highest rank to date, #24, in both 2015 and 2017.
#23. David
Number of babies named: 10,124
Rank in 2016: #19 (four spots higher than 2017)
With Hebrew origins, David means 鈥渂eloved鈥 or 鈥渦ncle.鈥 A number of notable Davids have existed both past and present, from well-known biblical figure King David (of the David and Goliath legend) to musician David Bowie, soccer player David Beckham, and comedian Dave Chapelle.
#22. Sebastian
Number of babies named: 10,136
Rank in 2016: #24 (two spots lower than 2017)
Sebastian has Latin and Greek origins, and means 鈥渧enerable.鈥 Current Sebastians share the name with a martyred saint, composer Johann Sebastian Bach, and a classic Disney character from "The Little Mermaid."
#21. Samuel
Number of babies named: 10,323
Rank in 2016: #21 (no change from 2017)
Samuel was ranked as one of, coming in at #45. The name, which," has continued to grow in popularity since 2000, and now holds its highest position ever on the charts.
#20. Jackson
Number of babies named: 10,356
Rank in 2016: #17 (three spots higher than 2017)
Not to be confused with Jaxon, Jackson, or 鈥渟on of Jack,鈥 was originally an English surname that has taken on a first name life of its own. Famous Jacksons include painter Jackson Pollock and singer-songwriter Jackson Browne.
#19. Joseph
Number of babies named: 10,360
Rank in 2016: #20 (one spot lower than 2017)
The name Joseph carries strong biblical ties and Hebrew origins meaning, 鈥渕ay God give increase.鈥 The name has been consistently used in the United States for decades, and is the of the past century.
#18. Henry
Number of babies named: 10,406
Rank in 2016: #22 (four spots lower than 2017)
Henry, which has German roots and a meaning of 鈥渆state ruler,鈥 in the early 1900s, when it was the of the decade. The name also; it is shared with a line of English kings.
#17. Aiden
Number of babies named: 11,259
Rank in 2016: #16 (one spot higher than 2017)
Aiden's 鈥渇iery鈥 meaning is consistent with the name's burst into popularity. Between 1995 and 2010, it in the top 1,000 list, finally peaking at #9 in 2010 and 2011, and ultimately placing as the .
#16. Matthew
Number of babies named: 11,611
Rank in 2016: #15 (one spot higher than 2017)
Matthew is a biblical name that's shared with the writer of the first gospel of the New Testament. It means "gift from God," and is the of the past century.
#15. Daniel
Number of babies named: 11,640
Rank in 2016: #13 (two spots higher than 2017)
Daniel has Hebrew roots and a meaning of 鈥淕od is my judge.鈥 The name has been four times鈥攊n 1985, 1990, 2007, and 2008.
#14. Ethan
Number of babies named: 12,389
Rank in 2016: #10 (four spots higher than 2017)
Since 2002, Ethan has. The name has Hebrew origins, and means 鈥渟trong鈥 and 鈥渇irm.鈥 Well-known modern-day Ethans include actor Ethan Hawke, as well as Ethan Hunt, the protagonist in the 鈥淢ission Impossible鈥 film series.
#13. Alexander
Number of babies named: 12,467
Rank in 2016: #11 (two spots higher than 2017)
Based on its continued popularity, the phrase 鈥淎lexander the Great鈥 can also be applied to the popular name. The ancient Greek name, shared by a king and military conqueror, means .鈥
#12. Michael
Number of babies named: 12,579
Rank in 2016: #8 (four spots higher than 2017)
Michael has in the United States 44 times in the past century, though it's currently #12. The name is Hebrew for 鈥渨ho is like God?鈥
#11. Lucas
Number of babies named: 12,951
Rank in 2016: #14 (three spots lower than 2017)
Lucas, or "," has been steadily growing in popularity since the 1960s. The name entered the top 100 for the first time in 1980, shortly after," which also overlapped with the shorthand version, Luke, rising in popularity, too.
#10. Jacob
Number of babies named: 13,106
Rank in 2016: #7 (three spots higher than 2017)
In Hebrew, Jacob means 鈥渟upplanter,鈥 someone who takes the place of someone else. The name, which has ties to the Old Testament, has been popular for decades,.
#9. Oliver
Number of babies named: 13,141
Rank in 2016: #12 (three spots lower than 2017)
Oliver is often considered to have Latin roots meaning 鈥渙live tree.鈥 The name in 2009, more than 100 years after a streak of popularity in the 1880s and 1890s.
#8. Elijah
Number of babies named: 13,268
Rank in 2016: #9 (one spot lower than 2017)
Another name with strong biblical roots, Elijah has had a steady presence among the Top 600 names since the early 1900s. It didn't break into the Top 10 until 2016. In Hebrew, it means 鈥淵ahweh is God.鈥
#7. Mason
Number of babies named: 13,502
Rank in 2016: #4 (three spots higher than 2017)
On top of being a name that's, a mason is also a bricklayer. Thought it's never held the #1 position, it's been as high as #2, and spent six of the past seven years.
#6. Benjamin
Number of babies named: 13,733
Rank in 2016: #6 (no change from 2017)
The name Benjamin has been in the past century, securing it a spot as the #42 most popular boy's name. The name means "son of my right hand," and has ties to the Old Testament, as well as American history, thanks to Benjamin Franklin.
#5. Logan
Number of babies named: 13,974
Rank in 2016: #18 (13 spots lower than 2017)
Logan, a, has Scottish origins and.鈥 With a change in 13 spots, it shows the second-largest jump of any of the year's Top 50 names, beaten only by Mateo, which increased by 17, from #59 to #42.
#4. James
Number of babies named: 14,232
Rank in 2016: #5 (one spot lower than 2017)
Not only is it highly ranked this year, the name James also has the distinct honor of being the, with nearly 4.8 million boys and men sharing it. It means 鈥渟upplanter,鈥 just like another Top 10 boy's name, Jacob.
#3. William
Number of babies named: 14,904
Rank in 2016: #3 (no change from 2017)
William also has earned a spot as the. The name, which,鈥 is shared among a number of notable figures in history and present-day pop culture, including William Shakespeare, William Wallace, and Prince William. It's even the given first name of William 鈥淏rad鈥 Pitt.
#2. Noah
Number of babies named: 18,326
Rank in 2016: #1 (one spot higher than 2017)
Noah, which comes from a Hebrew word for 鈥渞est,鈥 is the name of the biblical hero who survived the flood in the Old Testament. It's also seeing a surge in pop culture references, too, perhaps most notably as the name of the,鈥 played by Ryan Gosling. The film was released in 2004, shortly before the name for the first time.
#1. Liam
Number of babies named: 18,728
Rank in 2016: #2 (one spot lower than 2017)
Liam has so quickly that it doesn't yet have a spot on the Top 100 names of the century. It's a shorter version of William, and has the. Baby boys named Liam, including actors Liam Neeson and Liam Hemsworth, and singer Liam Payne.