Pop Culture
Most Popular Baby Names 2025 - Top Names and Trends
Olivia and Noah are holding their positions at the top of the 2025 baby name charts in the United States. The rankings below draw from BabyCenter’s 2025 data, which is based on names reported by more than four million members. Note that rankings vary across sources: the Social Security Administration uses birth certificate records, BabyCenter uses member surveys, and Nameberry uses site traffic, so no two lists will match exactly. The SSA’s official 2025 data is expected to be released in May 2026.
Here is a full breakdown of the most popular names, the ones climbing fast, and a few that dropped off the map.
Top 10 Baby Girl Names of 2025
| Rank | Name | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olivia | = |
| 2 | Emma | = |
| 3 | Charlotte | +1 |
| 4 | Amelia | -1 |
| 5 | Sophia | = |
| 6 | Ava | = |
| 7 | Isabella | +1 |
| 8 | Luna | +2 |
| 9 | Mia | -2 |
| 10 | Evelyn | -1 |
Olivia
Latin origin, from “oliva” meaning olive tree. Olivia has held the number one spot for five consecutive years, and it shows no signs of slipping: it’s short enough to feel modern, long enough to feel formal, and the nickname Livvy gives it an everyday warmth that parents love.
Emma
Germanic origin, derived from “ermen” meaning whole or universal. Emma is one of the most consistently popular names across Europe and North America, and its combination of simplicity and elegance keeps it near the top year after year.
Charlotte
French feminine form of Charles, meaning “free woman.” Royal associations, particularly Princess Charlotte of Wales, have pushed this name steadily upward since 2013. The nickname Charlie gives it a modern, playful edge.
Amelia
Germanic and Latin roots meaning “work” or “industrious.” Amelia carries an adventurous image thanks to Amelia Earhart, and the name has a timeless quality that works equally well on a toddler and an adult.
Sophia
Greek origin, meaning “wisdom.” Sophia is a global favorite that translates seamlessly across multiple languages and cultures, which is part of why it consistently sits in the top five across countries as different as the US, Spain, and Poland.
Ava
Latin origin, possibly from “avis” meaning bird, though the exact etymology is debated. Ava is short, punchy, and easy to spell, which gives it an advantage with parents who want something classic but not fussy.
Isabella
Hebrew and Italian origin, a variant of Elizabeth meaning “devoted to God.” Isabella surged in the late 2000s alongside the Twilight series, and while it has settled from its peak, it remains a top-ten fixture with the versatile nickname options Bella and Izzy.
Luna
Latin for moon. Luna is the standout climber among established names in 2025, rising two spots on the strength of the broader trend toward celestial and nature-inspired names. Aurora, Stella, and Nova are all rising for similar reasons.
Mia
Scandinavian and Italian short form of Maria or Miriam, meaning “beloved” or “mine.” Mia has the rare quality of feeling complete at just three letters, and it pairs cleanly with almost any last name.
Evelyn
English origin, derived from a surname meaning “wished-for child.” Evelyn is a vintage revival success story: a name that felt old-fashioned in the mid-20th century has become a go-to choice for parents who want something classic with the built-in nickname Evie.
Full Top 20 Baby Girl Names of 2025
| Rank | Name | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olivia | 11 | Aria |
| 2 | Emma | 12 | Lily |
| 3 | Charlotte | 13 | Aurora |
| 4 | Amelia | 14 | Scarlett |
| 5 | Sophia | 15 | Chloe |
| 6 | Ava | 16 | Gianna |
| 7 | Isabella | 17 | Ellie |
| 8 | Luna | 18 | Layla |
| 9 | Mia | 19 | Penelope |
| 10 | Evelyn | 20 | Camila |
Top 10 Baby Boy Names of 2025
| Rank | Name | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noah | +1 |
| 2 | Liam | -1 |
| 3 | Oliver | = |
| 4 | James | = |
| 5 | Elijah | = |
| 6 | Mateo | +1 |
| 7 | Theodore | +2 |
| 8 | Henry | -1 |
| 9 | Ezra | +2 |
| 10 | Lucas | -2 |
Noah
Hebrew origin, meaning “rest” or “comfort.” Noah reclaimed the number one spot in 2025 after Liam held it for several consecutive years. Its soft sound and strong biblical roots make it one of the most broadly appealing names in the country.
Liam
Irish short form of William, meaning “strong-willed warrior” or “protector.” Liam dominated the charts for most of the 2010s and early 2020s, and while it has slipped one spot, it remains a consistent top-two finisher with no signs of a sharp decline.
Oliver
Latin origin, from “oliva” meaning olive tree. Oliver shares name DNA with Olivia, and both names appeal to parents drawn to the symbolism of the olive branch: peace, nature, and timelessness. The nickname Ollie adds a playful quality.
James
Hebrew origin, from Jacob, meaning “supplanter” or “one who follows at the heel.” James is one of the longest-running classic names in the English language, carrying royal, presidential, and literary associations without ever feeling heavy.
Elijah
Hebrew origin, meaning “my God is Yahweh.” Elijah has climbed steadily for two decades and is now a fixture in the top five. The short form Eli gives parents and kids an everyday alternative that’s easier to call across a playground.
Mateo
Spanish form of Matthew, meaning “gift of God.” Mateo is the fastest-growing Spanish-origin name in the American top ten, climbing from well outside the top 100 just fifteen years ago to a consistent top-ten spot today, reflecting a broader shift in American naming culture.
Theodore
Greek origin, meaning “gift of God.” Theodore’s rise is almost entirely driven by the nickname Theo, which became a cultural standout in the 2010s. Parents who want something formal on a birth certificate but casual in daily life find this combination ideal.
Henry
Germanic origin, from “heim” and “ric,” meaning “ruler of the home.” Henry carries genuine prestige through centuries of English royalty and literature without feeling stiff or old-fashioned, and nickname options like Harry and Hank give it range.
Ezra
Hebrew origin, meaning “help” or “helper.” Ezra was once almost exclusively used in traditional religious communities, but it has broken into the mainstream over the past decade. Its distinctive two-syllable sound stands out in a sea of four-letter boy names.
Lucas
Latin form of Luke, meaning “light” or “luminous.” Lucas is a smooth international name that works across cultures and languages, which partly explains its global popularity. It dropped two spots in 2025 but remains a top-ten staple.
Full Top 20 Baby Boy Names of 2025
| Rank | Name | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noah | 11 | William |
| 2 | Liam | 12 | Jack |
| 3 | Oliver | 13 | Sebastian |
| 4 | James | 14 | Aiden |
| 5 | Elijah | 15 | Owen |
| 6 | Mateo | 16 | Levi |
| 7 | Theodore | 17 | Michael |
| 8 | Henry | 18 | Ethan |
| 9 | Ezra | 19 | Alexander |
| 10 | Lucas | 20 | Daniel |
Names on the Rise in 2025
Several names are climbing the charts at a pace that suggests they will enter or move up in the top 50 over the next year or two.
- Silas: A Hebrew name meaning “man of the forest” or “woodland,” Silas is riding the wave of nature-adjacent names that feel literary and approachable at the same time. It climbed more than 20 spots in 2025.
- Rowan: An Irish and Scottish name tied to the rowan tree, which symbolizes protection and courage. Rowan works for both boys and girls, which gives it outsized visibility as parents increasingly favor gender-flexible names.
- Eloise: French and Old German origin, meaning “healthy” or “wide.” Eloise has a vintage French charm that resonates with parents drawn to Parisian names. The nickname Ellie gives it a modern, casual side.
- Emersyn: A modern spelling of the surname Emerson, meaning “Emery’s son.” The -yn ending updates a classic name for a generation of parents who want traditional meaning with a distinctive look on paper.
- Aurora: Latin for dawn, and also the name of the northern lights. Aurora is the clearest example of the celestial name trend in 2025, climbing fast alongside Luna and Stella as parents look skyward for inspiration.
- Theo: Originally a short form of Theodore or Theodora, Theo is increasingly used as a standalone name for both boys and girls. Its rise reflects a broader preference for short, soft names that feel complete without a longer formal version.
The common thread across these rising names is the nature-and-vintage combination: names that evoke something in the natural world or feel rooted in history, but don’t carry the dusty feeling that held those names back a generation ago.
Names Dropping Out of the Top 100
A handful of names that seemed firmly established just five years ago are no longer in the top 100 for 2025.
- Nevaeh: “Heaven” spelled backward, Nevaeh was a breakout hit in the early 2000s. It peaked around 2010 and has steadily fallen as the novelty faded. Celestial-meaning names like Luna and Aurora have largely replaced it.
- Kennedy: A strong Irish surname-as-first-name that thrived in the 2010s. Kennedy is losing ground as similar surname names like Harper and Sloane compete for the same parent preferences.
- Hunter: Hunter dominated in the late 1990s and 2000s, driven by outdoor and rugged imagery. It has been steadily displaced by softer nature names and no longer appears in the top 100 for boys.
- Axel: A Scandinavian form of Absalom meaning “father of peace,” Axel rose on the back of rock-and-roll associations in the 1990s and early 2000s. Softer names like Ezra and Silas have taken the spot for parents who want something distinctive.
Names like Silas, Rowan, Ezra, and Aurora filled the gaps these names left, pointing to a shift from edgy or invented-feeling names toward names with natural imagery and historical depth.
Most Popular Baby Names - FAQ
What is the #1 baby name in 2025?
Based on BabyCenter’s 2025 data, the number one baby girl name is Olivia and the number one baby boy name is Noah. Olivia has held the top spot for girls for five consecutive years. The SSA’s official 2025 rankings, based on US birth certificate data, will be published in May 2026.
Are unique and unusual names becoming more popular?
Yes and no. The top 10 remains dominated by classic names, but the variety lower in the top 100 has expanded noticeably. Parents are increasingly choosing names outside the top 50, which has spread popularity more evenly across hundreds of names rather than concentrating it in a handful. That said, Olivia and Liam together still account for a significant percentage of all newborns.
How often does the SSA update its baby name data?
The SSA publishes updated baby name data once a year, typically in May, covering the previous calendar year. So the 2025 birth data will be available in May 2026. The SSA’s database goes back to 1880 and covers every name given to at least five babies in a given year.
Do name rankings differ between sources?
Significantly, yes. The SSA ranks names by birth certificate data, which covers all registered US births. BabyCenter ranks names by what its four-million-plus member community reports. Nameberry ranks based on page views on its site, which reflects search interest rather than actual usage. All three are legitimate data points, but they measure different things and can produce very different top-10 lists.
The clearest trend in 2025 is a split at the top and the middle. Short, classic names, such as Olivia, Emma, Noah, and James, continue to hold the highest spots with little movement year over year. Below the top 10, the action is in longer, nature-inspired, or vintage names: Eloise, Silas, Aurora, Theodore, Emersyn, and Rowan are all climbing fast. Parents who want something that feels current but not trendy are landing on vintage and nature names at a higher rate than at any point in the past two decades.