If you were in elementary school in the 1980s, your classrooms were filled with Jennifers, Amys, Heathers, Michaels, Jasons, and Christophers. Boys in the 1990s were still named Michael and Christopher, but girls were Jessicas, Ashleys, and Emilys. These names seem dated by today’s standards, but some of the most popular baby names of today call back to names that were fashionable a century ago.
The Social Security Administration tracks baby names going back to the 1880s, when John and Mary were the most common monikers. It recently released its list of the most popular baby names from 2024. Here’s a look at the most popular first names for babies in the United States and the history and meaning behind them.
The most popular boy name last year was Liam — a name that’s held the top spot in the United States since 2017. Liam is a name of Irish origin that comes from the Gaelic Uilliam, which itself is derived from the Frankish Willahelm. It means “strong-willed warrior” or “protector.” While common in Ireland for centuries, Liam didn’t become a known first name in the United States until the 19th-century Irish migration. It jumped in popularity in 2010, and it’s been in the top 10 of boy names since 2012.
Olivia is the most popular girl name in the U.S., and is widely used in other English speaking countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It’s derived from the Latin oliva, meaning “olive tree,” and it’s been used as a name since the 13th century. Some attribute the name’s popularity, in part, to the character Olivia from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. It’s been in the top 10 girl names since 2001.
The name Noah is an important biblical name, coming from the story of the famous ark keeper in the Book of Genesis. It’s derived either from the Hebrew word Noach or the Babylonian nukhu, both of which mean “rest” or “repose.” From 2013 to 2016, Noah was the most popular boy name in the U.S., and it’s been the second most common since 2017.
The name Emma can be traced back to Emma of Normandy — an 11th-century noblewoman who married Æthelred the Unready, the king of England. This first name comes from the Germanic Ermen, which means “whole” or “universal,” and the name is considered to be a sign that the child means everything to their parents. Emma’s enduring popularity is partially due to its prominence in pop culture — it’s the name of the title character in an 1815 Jane Austen novel, and in more modern times, it’s the name of Ross and Rachel’s daughter on the TV sitcom Friends. It’s been in the top 5 girl names since 2002, but it was also popular around the early 20th century. From 1900 to 1922, it was in the top 50 girl names.
Traditionally, Oliver is the masculine variation of the feminine name Olivia. Some say it’s derived from the Latin olivarius, meaning “olive planter.” It may also come from the French olivier, meaning “olive tree,” and it can be connected linguistically to the Old Norse name Áleifr, which translates to “ancestor’s descendant.” Oliver has been the third most popular boy name since 2019.
Given the trailblazing legacy of the most famous Amelia of all time — Amelia Earhart — it’s appropriate that this first name means “industrious” or “work.” Amelia comes from the Hebrew amal, and it can also be traced back to ancient Rome, where Aemi’lia gens was the title of an elite Patrician family in society. Amelia is currently ranked third for girl names, but has been in the top 10 since 2016.
Theodore means “gift of God.” It comes from the Greek Theodoros, which combines theos (“God”) with doron (“gift”). The name was once popular among English speakers in the Middle Ages, and it saw a resurgence in the 1910s just after the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore jumped in popularity throughout the 2010s, hitting the top 10 boy names in 2021.
Charles comes from the Old English ceorl, which was used in contrast to thew (meaning “enslaved person”) and eorl (meaning “noble person”). Charlotte became a popular feminine form of Charles in the 18th century, as -otte is a feminine diminutive suffix. It’s likely that Charlotte became a popular name in recent years after the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015. It’s been in the top 10 girl names since 2014, and it was in the top 100 girl names from 1908 to 1953.
As the name of biblical figures, English kings, and U.S. presidents, the first name James rarely goes out of style. It’s believed to be derived from the Hebrew Yaakov, meaning “supplanter,” and it has etymological connections to the name Jacob. James was once the most popular U.S. boy name from 1940 to 1952, and it remains in the top 5.
The name Mia comes from the name Maria, which itself is derived from the Hebrew Miryam. That name can be traced to ancient Egypt, specifically the word mery, meaning “beloved.” In the U.S., Mia was largely considered to be just a nickname until the 1960s, when it became viewed as a name on its own. It has held a firm place in the top 10 most popular U.S. girl names since 2009.
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