Over 3.5 million babies were born in America in 2024, and that means a lot of birth certificates were issued. Thanks to the hard work and efforts from Baby Center, we can easily look up the most popular baby names, their origins, and what years they started growing in use. Popular baby names come and go, and we’d like to discuss the top 10 with you right now.
Olivia
Coming from the Latin word for “olive tree,” Oliva was first popularized by Shakespeare for its use in Twelfth Night. In fact, Olivia has been one of the most popular baby names for girls since 2001, holding the #1 ranking since 2019.
Noah
Coming straight out of the Old Testament, the name Noah means “rest” or “comfort,” and is most commonly associated with that guy who built that ark. To no surprise, its biblical origins mean that the name found its way into several different languages, including Noé, Noa, Nooh, Naoi, Noje, Nuh, and Nooa.
Amelia
Deriving from the German name “Amala,” Amelia means “hardworking.” It first appeared in English back in the 18th century, when King George II and King George III both named their daughters Amelia. The name only appeared in the top 100 in 2004, but quickly climbed the ranks, becoming the 6th-most popular name by 2020.
Liam
Short for William, this German-based name means “guardiuan.” However, the name is more than just its German roots. Liam’s have been found in Ireland, France, and England, with the first recorded William showing up in the 8th century.
Sophia
Sophia comes from the Greek word “sophos,” meaning “wisdom.” It was a common name amongst European royals, and has maintained popularity since naming records began around 1880. It was number 1 for girls from 2011 to 2013.
Oliver
Similar to Olivia, Oliver means “olive tree planter” or “olive branch bearer” in Latin, but actually gets its modern spelling from the French name Olivier. It’s been in the top 10 for boys' names since 2017, sitting at number 3 from 2019 to 2022, and again for 2025.
Emma
Emma comes from the Old German word “ermen,” meaning “universal.” It became a popular name in Europe during the 11th century, after noblewoman Emma of Normandy became queen consort in 1002 CE.
Elijah
This popular boy's name comes from the Hebrew name Eliyyahu, which means “Yahweh is my God.” The name appears across the Talmud, the Old Testament, and the Quran, all referring to a 9th-century prophet. The name has been found in many languages and cultures around the world.
Isabella
This one is a bit of a doozy. Isabella has its spelling origins from Italy and Spain, but actually comes from the name Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a more modern version of the Hebrew name Elisheba, which means “devoted to God.” The name has been well-loved throughout history, often seen amongst European royalty, but also for its nicknaming capabilities.
Mateo
This Spanish-based name means “gift of God,” and is also a derivative of the biblical name Matthew. It broke into the Social Security Administration’s top 1,000 name list in 1995 and has clearly maintained its status as a popular name ever since.
