The most popular baby names

The most popular baby names for boys and girls, ranked from real birth-registration records, each with its meaning and its own popularity page.

These are the names given to the most babies on record across the U.S., UK, Ireland and New Zealand, drawn straight from official birth registrations rather than surveys. Popular names are a safe, timeless choice: familiar, easy to spell, and never dated. Tap any name for its full history and popularity chart, then swipe the deck with your partner to see which ones you both love.

1. James (supplanter)
2. John (God is gracious)
3. Robert (bright fame)
4. Michael (who is like God)
5. William (resolute protector)
6. Mary (of uncertain meaning, possibly bitterness or beloved)
7. David (beloved)
8. Joseph (he will add)
9. Richard (strong ruler)
10. Thomas (twin)
11. Charles (free man)
12. Daniel (God is my judge)
13. Christopher (bearing Christ)
14. Matthew (gift of God)
15. Elizabeth (my God is an oath)
16. George (farmer, earth-worker)
17. Patricia (noble)
18. Anthony (of uncertain meaning, from the Roman family name Antonius)
19. Jennifer (white, fair, smooth)
20. Paul (small, humble)
21. Linda (pretty)
22. Mark (of uncertain meaning, likely from Mars, the Roman god of war)
23. Barbara (foreign woman)
24. Joshua (the Lord is salvation)
25. Andrew (manly, brave)
26. Donald (world ruler)
27. Edward (wealthy guardian)
28. Steven (crown, garland)
29. Kenneth (handsome, born of fire)
30. Margaret (pearl)
31. Kevin (handsome, gentle birth)
32. Brian (noble, high)
33. Sarah (princess, noblewoman)
34. Jessica (of uncertain meaning, possibly foresight)
35. Susan (lily)
36. Dorothy (gift of God)
37. Timothy (honouring God)
38. Ryan (little king)
39. Jacob (supplanter, holder of the heel)
40. Jason (healer)
41. Ronald (ruler's counsel)
42. Emily (rival, eager)
43. Helen (of uncertain meaning, often linked to light or torch)
44. Nancy (grace)
45. Lisa (my God is an oath)
46. Jack (God is gracious)
47. Betty (my God is an oath)
48. Jeffrey (peace, of uncertain first element)
49. Anna (grace, favour)
50. Nicholas (victory of the people)
51. Samuel (God has heard)
52. Benjamin (son of the right hand)
53. Stephen (crown, garland)
54. Gary (spear)
55. Frank (free man, Frenchman)
56. Jonathan (gift of God)
57. Eric (ever-ruler)
58. Ashley (ash tree meadow)
59. Emma (whole, universal)
60. Sandra (defender of the people)
61. Laura (laurel)
62. Michelle (who is like God)
63. Alexander (defender of the people)
64. Ruth (companion, friend)
65. Kimberly (from the royal wood meadow)
66. Donna (lady)
67. Henry (home ruler)
68. Rebecca (of uncertain meaning, traditionally to bind or join)
69. Carol (free man)
70. Scott (a Scotsman)
71. Amanda (worthy of love)
72. Larry (from Laurentum)
73. Brandon (broom-covered hill)
74. Justin (just, fair)
75. Raymond (wise protector)
76. Amy (beloved)
77. Melissa (honey bee)
78. Stephanie (crown, garland)
79. Patrick (nobleman)
80. Deborah (bee)
81. Sharon (a fertile plain)
82. Kathleen (pure)
83. Gregory (watchful, vigilant)
84. Olivia (olive tree)
85. Catherine (pure)
86. Cynthia (from Mount Cynthus)
87. Shirley (bright clearing)
88. Angela (messenger, angel)
89. Adam (man, earth)
90. Aaron (of uncertain meaning, possibly exalted or mountain)
91. Tyler (tile maker)
92. Evelyn (of uncertain meaning, possibly desired)
93. Katherine (pure)
94. Nathan (he gave)
95. Virginia (maiden)
96. Peter (rock, stone)
97. Alice (noble)
98. Grace (grace, favour)
99. Nicole (victory of the people)
100. Walter (ruler of the army)
101. Jerry (spear ruler)
102. Rachel (ewe)
103. Noah (rest, comfort)
104. Dennis (follower of Dionysus)
105. Samantha (of uncertain origin, possibly a feminine form of Samuel)
106. Brenda (sword)
107. Frances (free one, from France)
108. Pamela (all sweetness)
109. Maria (of uncertain meaning, a form of Mary)
110. Christine (follower of Christ)
111. Arthur (of uncertain meaning, possibly bear)
112. Jordan (flowing down)
113. Jose (he will add)
114. Willie (resolute protector)
115. Zachary (the Lord has remembered)
116. Harry (home ruler)
117. Ethan (strong, enduring)
118. Kelly (bright-headed, strife)
119. Douglas (dark stream)
120. Martha (lady, mistress)
121. Hannah (grace, favour)
122. Victoria (victory)
123. Charlotte (free woman)
124. Carolyn (free woman)
125. Janet (God is gracious)
126. Lauren (from Laurentum, laurel)
127. Marie (a form of Mary)
128. Debra (bee)
129. Harold (army ruler)
130. Heather (the flowering plant heather)
131. Kyle (narrow strait, channel)
132. Megan (pearl)
133. Julie (youthful)
134. Rose (the rose flower)
135. Diane (divine)
136. Dylan (son of the sea)
137. Terry (ruler of the people)
138. Carl (free man)
139. Joyce (lord, of uncertain origin)
140. Albert (noble and bright)
141. Sophia (wisdom)
142. Julia (youthful)
143. Christina (follower of Christ)
144. Joan (God is gracious)
145. Sean (God is gracious)
146. Ann (grace, favour)
147. Isabella (my God is an oath)
148. Jean (God is gracious)
149. Christian (follower of Christ)
150. Joe (he will add)

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