Here at Kremp, one of the most popular occasions we provide gifts and flowers for is the birth of a baby! With around 10,000 babies being born each day in the United States, that’s a lot of flowers, balloons, and adorable plushies. While the joy remains the same, baby name trends have changed dramatically over the years, shifting from biblical icons, to entertainment stars, to internet celebrities. For example, the most popular baby names of 1920 were John and Mary, prominent Christian figures. While they are still the most popular baby names of all time, they have fallen off the top 10 baby name lists in recent years. Nearly a century later, the top baby names of 2010 were Jacob and Isabella, undoubtedly sparked by the frenzy surrounding the Twilight books and films. As you read through the most popular baby names over the last 100 years, you may recognize the “why” behind some of them, making it a fascinating journey through cultural history!
What is the most popular girl name currently?
The most popular girl name in 2023 and the most popular girl name in the United States is Olivia! In fact, according to the Social Security Administration, Olivia has been the top female baby name in the United States for five consecutive years (along with Liam, which we will explore below). What does the name Olivia mean? Olivia is Latin in origin and translates to “olive tree,” making it suitable for parents seeking an earthy, nature-inspired moniker for their precious bundle. Olive trees are also a symbol of peace and friendship, hence the term “to extend an olive branch.”
It is quite different than the most popular baby girl name 100 years ago, which was Mary! Mary has been one of the most popular girl names throughout history, taking the crown from 1920 to 1945. Other popular girl names from the 1900s include Dorothy, Helen, Margaret, Betty, and Elizabeth.
What is the most popular boy name currently?
The most popular boy name in 2023 and the most popular boy name in the United States is Liam! As we mentioned above, Liam has been the top male baby name in the U.S. for five consecutive years. What does the name Liam mean? Liam is Irish in origin and translates to “strong-willed warrior” or “protector.” It is an abbreviated version of the Irish name Uilliam (which is rooted in the Frankish name Willahelm), meaning “helmet of will.” When did the name Liam become popular? Although Liam has been a relatively popular name in Ireland for quite some time, it did not enter the U.S. Social Security Administration’s top 1,000 baby names list until 1967. From here, Liam began snowballing in popularity, first propelled by rising film star Liam Neeson, then boy band One Direction’s Liam Payne, and finally Liam Hemsworth who became America’s sweetheart through the Hunger Games movies.
John was the most popular baby boy name 100 years ago and it remained as one of the most popular boy names throughout history until it fell out of the top 10 baby boy names list by 1990. Other popular boy names from the 1900s include William, Robert, James, Charles, and Joseph. Lots of royalty!
The Most Popular Baby Names by State
Are you curious about what the most popular baby names are in your state? You’re in luck! We also created these maps showcasing the most popular boy names and most popular girl names in every state. Check it out:
For the most popular boy names by state, Liam, Noah, and Oliver are in the majority. However, there are some unique outliers, such as the most popular boy name in Hawaii being Elijah and the most popular boy name in Alabama being William. For the most popular girl names by state, Amelia, Charlotte, and Olivia take the cake for most places. The most popular girl name in Hawaii is Isla, a lovely and rare name for a lovely, remote place! It actually means “island,” so it is the perfect choice for Hawaii!
What are the fastest growing baby names?
Now that we have covered the most popular baby names throughout history and today, let’s learn about the baby names we might see in the future. According to Newsweek, which sourced their information from the Social Security Administration, the fastest-growing female baby names are:
- Kaeli
- Alitzel
- Emryn
- Adhara
- Azari
Kaeli’s popularity as a baby name may have been spurred in part by the wildly successful content creator and social media influencer Kaeli McEwen. The fastest-growing male baby names are:
- Izael
- Chozen
- Eiden
- Cassian
- Kyren
The SSA believes that the 3rd fastest-rising baby name, Eiden, may be influenced by TikTok creator Wyatt Eiden, who has earned over 1.6 billion views on the platform. It is bewildering to imagine what popular baby names we might encounter in the future! In the past, baby names were heavily influenced by biblical figures. Now, it seems social media and entertainment are among the most popular inspirations for baby names. And the influence of influencers is only growing! What are your guesses for the most popular baby names of 2030?
Is there a baby on the way within your circle? We have plenty of wonderful new baby gifts to choose from for when those Liams, Olivias, Kaelis, and Izaels arrive as well as birthday flowers and Mother’s day flowers for future occasions!
The Full List of Boy and Girl Baby Names Every 5 Years for the Past 100 Years
Most Popular Boy Names 1920 - 1945
|
1920 |
1925 |
1930 |
1935 |
1940 |
1945 |
Rank |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
1 |
John |
Robert |
Robert |
Robert |
James |
James |
2 |
William |
John |
James |
James |
Robert |
Robert |
3 |
Robert |
William |
John |
John |
John |
John |
4 |
James |
James |
William |
William |
William |
William |
5 |
Charles |
Charles |
Richard |
Richard |
Richard |
Richard |
6 |
George |
George |
Charles |
Charles |
Charles |
David |
7 |
Joseph |
Joseph |
Donald |
Donald |
David |
Charles |
8 |
Edward |
Richard |
George |
George |
Thomas |
Thomas |
9 |
Frank |
Edward |
Joseph |
Thomas |
Donald |
Michael |
10 |
Richard |
Donald |
Edward |
Joseph |
Ronald |
Ronald |
Most Popular Boy Names 1950 - 1975
|
1950 |
1955 |
1960 |
1965 |
1970 |
1975 |
Rank |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
1 |
James |
Michael |
David |
Michael |
Michael |
Michael |
2 |
Robert |
David |
Michael |
John |
James |
Jason |
3 |
John |
James |
James |
David |
David |
Christopher |
4 |
Michael |
Robert |
John |
James |
John |
James |
5 |
David |
John |
Robert |
Robert |
Robert |
David |
6 |
William |
William |
Mark |
William |
Christopher |
Robert |
7 |
Richard |
Richard |
William |
Mark |
William |
John |
8 |
Thomas |
Thomas |
Richard |
Richard |
Brian |
Brian |
9 |
Charles |
Mark |
Thomas |
Thomas |
Mark |
Matthew |
10 |
Gary |
Steven |
Steven |
Jeffrey |
Richard |
William |
Most Popular Boy Names 1980 - 2005
|
1980 |
1985 |
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
Rank |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
1 |
Michael |
Michael |
Michael |
Michael |
Jacob |
Jacob |
2 |
Christopher |
Christopher |
Christopher |
Matthew |
Michael |
Michael |
3 |
Jason |
Matthew |
Matthew |
Christopher |
Matthew |
Joshua |
4 |
David |
Joshua |
Joshua |
Jacob |
Joshua |
Matthew |
5 |
James |
Daniel |
Daniel |
Joshua |
Christopher |
Ethan |
6 |
Matthew |
David |
David |
Nicholas |
Nicholas |
Andrew |
7 |
Joshua |
James |
Andrew |
Tyler |
Andrew |
Daniel |
8 |
John |
Robert |
James |
Brandon |
Joseph |
Anthony |
9 |
Robert |
John |
Justin |
Daniel |
Daniel |
Joseph |
10 |
Joseph |
Joseph |
Joseph |
Austin |
Tyler |
Christopher |
Most Popular Boy Names 2010 - 2023
|
2010 |
2015 |
2020 |
2023 |
Rank |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
Male name |
1 |
Jacob |
Noah |
Liam |
Liam |
2 |
Ethan |
Liam |
Noah |
Noah |
3 |
Michael |
Mason |
Oliver |
Oliver |
4 |
Jayden |
Jacob |
Elijah |
James |
5 |
William |
William |
William |
Elijah |
6 |
Alexander |
Ethan |
James |
Mateo |
7 |
Noah |
James |
Benjamin |
Theodore |
8 |
Daniel |
Alexander |
Lucas |
Henry |
9 |
Aiden |
Michael |
Henry |
Lucas |
10 |
Anthony |
Benjamin |
Alexander |
William |
Most Popular Girl Names 1920 - 1945
|
1920 |
1925 |
1930 |
1935 |
1940 |
1945 |
Rank |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
1 |
Mary |
Mary |
Mary |
Mary |
Mary |
Mary |
2 |
Dorothy |
Dorothy |
Betty |
Shirley |
Barbara |
Linda |
3 |
Helen |
Betty |
Dorothy |
Barbara |
Patricia |
Barbara |
4 |
Margaret |
Helen |
Helen |
Betty |
Judith |
Patricia |
5 |
Ruth |
Margaret |
Margaret |
Patricia |
Betty |
Carol |
6 |
Mildred |
Ruth |
Barbara |
Dorothy |
Carol |
Sandra |
7 |
Virginia |
Virginia |
Patricia |
Joan |
Nancy |
Nancy |
8 |
Elizabeth |
Doris |
Joan |
Margaret |
Linda |
Sharon |
9 |
Frances |
Mildred |
Doris |
Nancy |
Shirley |
Judith |
10 |
Anna |
Elizabeth |
Ruth |
Helen |
Sandra |
Susan |
Most Popular Girl Names 1950 - 1975
|
1950 |
1955 |
1960 |
1965 |
1970 |
1975 |
Rank |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
1 |
Linda |
Mary |
Mary |
Lisa |
Jennifer |
Jennifer |
2 |
Mary |
Deborah |
Susan |
Mary |
Lisa |
Amy |
3 |
Patricia |
Linda |
Linda |
Karen |
Kimberly |
Heather |
4 |
Barbara |
Debra |
Karen |
Kimberly |
Michelle |
Melissa |
5 |
Susan |
Susan |
Donna |
Susan |
Amy |
Angela |
6 |
Nancy |
Patricia |
Lisa |
Patricia |
Angela |
Michelle |
7 |
Deborah |
Barbara |
Patricia |
Donna |
Melissa |
Kimberly |
8 |
Sandra |
Karen |
Debra |
Linda |
Tammy |
Lisa |
9 |
Carol |
Nancy |
Cynthia |
Cynthia |
Mary |
Stephanie |
10 |
Kathleen |
Donna |
Deborah |
Angela |
Tracy |
Nicole |
Most Popular Girl Names 1980 - 2005
|
1980 |
1985 |
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
2005 |
Rank |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
1 |
Jennifer |
Jessica |
Jessica |
Jessica |
Emily |
Emily |
2 |
Amanda |
Ashley |
Ashley |
Ashley |
Hannah |
Emma |
3 |
Jessica |
Jennifer |
Brittany |
Emily |
Madison |
Madison |
4 |
Melissa |
Amanda |
Amanda |
Samantha |
Ashley |
Abigail |
5 |
Sarah |
Sarah |
Samantha |
Sarah |
Sarah |
Olivia |
6 |
Heather |
Stephanie |
Sarah |
Taylor |
Alexis |
Isabella |
7 |
Nicole |
Nicole |
Stephanie |
Hannah |
Samantha |
Hannah |
8 |
Amy |
Heather |
Jennifer |
Brittany |
Jessica |
Samantha |
9 |
Elizabeth |
Elizabeth |
Elizabeth |
Amanda |
Elizabeth |
Ava |
10 |
Michelle |
Megan |
Lauren |
Elizabeth |
Taylor |
Ashley |
Most Popular Girl Names 2010 - 2023
|
2010 |
2015 |
2020 |
2023 |
Rank |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
Female name |
1 |
Isabella |
Emma |
Olivia |
Olivia |
2 |
Sophia |
Olivia |
Emma |
Emma |
3 |
Emma |
Sophia |
Ava |
Charlotte |
4 |
Olivia |
Ava |
Charlotte |
Amelia |
5 |
Ava |
Isabella |
Sophia |
Sophia |
6 |
Emily |
Mia |
Amelia |
Mia |
7 |
Abigail |
Abigail |
Isabella |
Isabella |
8 |
Madison |
Emily |
Mia |
Ava |
9 |
Chloe |
Charlotte |
Evelyn |
Evelyn |
10 |
Mia |
Harper |
Harper |
Luna |
The Most Popular Boy and Girl Baby Name for Every State in 2023
Most Popular Boy Name In Every State
State |
Most Popular Boy Name |
Alabama |
William |
Alaska |
Liam |
Arizona |
Liam |
Arkansas |
Liam |
California |
Noah |
Colorado |
Liam |
Connecticut |
Noah |
Delaware |
Noah |
Dist. of Columbia |
Liam |
Florida |
Liam |
Georgia |
Liam |
Hawaii |
Elijah |
Idaho |
Oliver |
Illinois |
Noah |
Indiana |
Liam |
Iowa |
Oliver |
Kansas |
Liam |
Kentucky |
Liam |
Louisiana |
Liam |
Maine |
Theodore |
Maryland |
Liam |
Massachusetts |
Noah |
Michigan |
Noah |
Minnesota |
Theodore |
Mississippi |
John |
Missouri |
Oliver |
Montana |
Oliver |
Nebraska |
Oliver |
Nevada |
Liam |
New Hampshire |
Oliver |
New Jersey |
Liam |
New Mexico |
Liam |
New York |
Liam |
North Carolina |
Liam |
North Dakota |
Oliver |
Ohio |
Oliver |
Oklahoma |
Liam |
Oregon |
Oliver |
Pennsylvania |
Noah |
Rhode Island |
Noah |
South Carolina |
Noah |
South Dakota |
Oliver |
Tennessee |
Liam |
Texas |
Liam |
Utah |
Liam |
Vermont |
Oliver |
Virginia |
Liam |
Washington |
Oliver |
West Virginia |
Oliver |
Wisconsin |
Theodore |
Wyoming |
Henry |
Most Popular Girl Name In Every State
State |
Most Popular Girl Name |
Alabama |
Olivia |
Alaska |
Charlotte |
Arizona |
Olivia |
Arkansas |
Olivia |
California |
Olivia |
Colorado |
Charlotte |
Connecticut |
Olivia |
Delaware |
Charlotte |
Dist. of Columbia |
Charlotte |
Florida |
Olivia |
Georgia |
Olivia |
Hawaii |
Isla |
Idaho |
Olivia |
Illinois |
Olivia |
Indiana |
Charlotte |
Iowa |
Charlotte |
Kansas |
Amelia |
Kentucky |
Amelia |
Louisiana |
Amelia |
Maine |
Charlotte |
Maryland |
Olivia |
Massachusetts |
Charlotte |
Michigan |
Charlotte |
Minnesota |
Charlotte |
Mississippi |
Ava |
Missouri |
Charlotte |
Montana |
Charlotte |
Nebraska |
Charlotte |
Nevada |
Olivia |
New Hampshire |
Charlotte |
New Jersey |
Olivia |
New Mexico |
Olivia |
New York |
Emma |
North Carolina |
Olivia |
North Dakota |
Evelyn |
Ohio |
Charlotte |
Oklahoma |
Olivia |
Oregon |
Olivia |
Pennsylvania |
Charlotte |
Rhode Island |
Charlotte |
South Carolina |
Olivia |
South Dakota |
Ava |
Tennessee |
Charlotte |
Texas |
Emma |
Utah |
Charlotte |
Vermont |
Amelia |
Virginia |
Charlotte |
Washington |
Olivia |
West Virginia |
Amelia |
Wisconsin |
Charlotte |
Wyoming |
Evelyn |
Sources:
- The Top 10 Boy and Girl Baby Names Every 5 Years for the Past 100 Years: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html
- The Most Popular Boy and Girl Baby Name for Every State in 2023 https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/state/top5_2023.html