May 20, 2026
Popular Baby Names 2026 — What the Birth Data Actually Shows
Every May-equivalent news cycle, the same two facts recirculate: Liam and Olivia (or their year's equivalents) still lead US births, and the top ten as a share of all babies keeps shrinking. Both can be true. Popular names are still the ones people type into Google when they want a safe, loved-sounding choice.
This page is not a remix of someone else's top 100. It is the most-given names in our US-linked catalog that also have a meaning we can show — so you can see why a popular name is popular, not just that it is.
Boy & unisex names
- RobertBright fame · Germanic
- MichaelWho is like God? · Hebrew
- DavidBeloved · Hebrew
- RichardBrave ruler · Germanic
- CharlesFree man · Germanic
- ChristopherBearer of Christ · Greek
- DonaldWorld ruler · Gaelic
- AnthonyPriceless · Latin
- PaulSmall · Latin
- MarkOf Mars · Latin
- EdwardWealthy guardian · Old English
- StevenCrown · Greek
- KennethHandsome · Gaelic
- AndrewManly · Greek
- BrianHigh · Irish
- JoshuaGod is salvation · Hebrew
- KevinHandsome · Irish
- RonaldRuler's counselor · Old Norse
- TimothyHonoring God · Greek
- JasonHealer · Greek
- JeffreyPeaceful pledge · Germanic
- FrankFree man · Germanic
- GarySpear carrier · Germanic
- NicholasVictory of the people · Greek
- EricEver-ruler · Old Norse
- LarryFrom Laurentum · Latin
- JonathanGift of God · Hebrew
- ScottFrom Scotland · Old English
- RaymondWise protector · Germanic
- JustinJust · Latin
- BrandonBroom-covered hill · Old English
- GregoryWatchful · Greek
- PatrickNobleman · Latin
- JerrySpear ruler · Germanic
- WalterRuler of the army · Germanic
- DennisFollower of Dionysus · Greek
- WillieResolute protector · Germanic
- TylerTile maker · Old English
- PeterRock · Greek
- DouglasDark water · Gaelic
Girl & unisex names
- MaryBeloved · Hebrew
- PatriciaNoble · Latin
- JenniferWhite wave · Cornish
- LindaPretty · Spanish
- BarbaraForeign · Greek
- MargaretPearl · Greek
- SusanLily · Hebrew
- DorothyGift of God · Greek
- JessicaGod beholds · Hebrew
- HelenBright · Greek
- NancyGrace · Hebrew
- BettyGod is my oath · Hebrew
- KarenPure · Danish
- SandraDefender of mankind · Greek
- AshleyAsh tree meadow · Old English
- DonnaLady · Italian
- KimberlyFrom the royal fortress meadow · Old English
- CarolFree man · Germanic
- MichelleWho is like God? · French
- LauraLaurel · Latin
- EmilyRival · Latin
- AmandaWorthy of love · Latin
- MelissaHoneybee · Greek
- DeborahBee · Hebrew
- StephanieCrown · Greek
- SharonA fertile plain · Hebrew
- KathleenPure · Irish
- CynthiaFrom Mount Cynthus · Greek
- ShirleyBright meadow · Old English
- AmyBeloved · French
- AngelaAngel · Greek
- CatherinePure · Greek
- VirginiaMaiden · Latin
- KatherinePure · Greek
- BrendaSword · Old Norse
- PamelaAll sweetness · Greek
- FrancesFree one · Latin
- ChristineFollower of Christ · Greek
- NicoleVictory of the people · Greek
- JanetGod is gracious · Hebrew
Frequently asked
What are the most popular baby names right now?
US birth data still concentrates on a handful of soft classics. Open the list below for the names with the strongest US counts in our catalog, each with meaning and origin.
Should I avoid popular names?
Only if uniqueness is the goal. Popular names age well, spell easily, and rarely need defending. Check the rising list if you want to know which popular names are about to feel even more common.
Find the perfect name with meaning, pronunciation, and popularity.
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