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If you’re expecting this year (or next) you’re probably wondering what the most popular baby names are, so you can be prepared for your little one’s arrival.
Here’s a peek at the most popular names in 2018. And, some other great resources for finding the perfect name for your new baby.
Most Popular Baby Names in 2018
Some people want their baby to have an on-trend name that’s appropriate for their birth decade. Others fear choosing a popular name that will have their child being just “one of many.”
Whether you’re in the first category or the second, we’ve got the resources for the most popular baby names in 2018. Plus, the meaning behind some of them.
Love them or avoid them — it’s all up to you!
Baby Boy Names 2018
Snips and snails and puppy dog tails — if you’re having a baby boy this year, you’ll be interested in our collection of universal baby names and unique baby names that are topping the charts.
This year’s selection of popular names is a great mix of traditional names like William, James, and Michael. Those baby boy names are mixed in with more esoteric choices like Grayson, Mason, and Logan.
A mix like this makes it easy for everyone to find a name they love, from biblical (Samuel, Isaac, and Noah) to secular (Hunter, Carter) to everything in between.
But first, let’s check out some of the most popular boy names and their meanings. Ready?
1. Liam
This year, it’s a fight between Noah and Liam for top spot, but we’re going to give it to Liam. One of the quintessential strong boy names for babies, Liam has been around in the name pool in Ireland since medieval times.
However, in the mid-1850s when the Irish fled the great famine, Liam became more well-known. By 1955 around two in every 10,000 boys had the name.
Liam is short for William and means “protector” or “strong-willed warrior.” Liam’s you may be familiar with include Liam Hemsworth and Liam Neeson.
2. Noah
Coming on the heels of Liam for popular American baby boy names is Noah, a classic name with a worldly feel.
Noah is Hebrew for “comfort,” or “rest,” and many people associate it with the ark-building Noah of the Christian bible.
Noah’s been a popular moniker since the early 2000’s, but saw a sharp surge in recent years, bringing it into the number two spot on our chart.
Do you know a Noah? Noah Wylie and Noah Emmerich, both film stars in recent years, are good examples of how popular this name has become.
3. Oliver
Oliver, meaning “olive tree,” was once a classic name. Now, although it’s very popular at number three, it’s still considered one of the more unusual baby names.
From the French name “Olivier,” Oliver has shown up in historical records (as in Oliver Cromwell, the English political and military leader), in literature (as in Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens’ enduring classic tale), and in entertainment, (as in Oliver Hudson and chef Jaime Oliver).
Any way you look at it, these three top boy names have the enduring appeal that make them a great choice for your new baby boy.
Baby Girl Names 2018
Sugar and spice and everything nice? If you’re expecting a baby girl, then you need to check out the top baby girl names and meanings to see if anything strikes your fancy.
This year’s crop of girl’s names is a mix of ultra-unique and traditional. From super feminine choices like Isabella, Sophia, and Amelia to unique choices like Luna, Paisley, and Riley.
Fans of popular entertainment will see names from Harry Potter (Luna) and Game of Thrones (Arya). Those who love a global influence can find good picks like Aaliyah, Niamey, Nevaeh, and Mila.
Girl’s names are often creative and that shows in this year’s list.
We’ve got choices like Serenity, Kinsley, and Everly riding high on popularity, giving new moms some unique and unusual choices to pick from.
For now, let’s dive right in with the top baby girl names for 2018 and learn a bit about where they came from and what they mean.
1. Emma
Emma is the perfect mix of classic and popular, having been in a top choice for baby girls’ names since the 19th century.
A romantic English name, Emma comes from Old German origins and it means “universal” or “whole.”
And there are plenty of Emmas you’ll be familiar with — Emma Watson, Emma Stone, and Emma Thompson from contemporary entertainment and Jane Austen’s Emma from literature.
This name has been a front-runner for baby girls for the last four years and will probably continue into the future.
2. Olivia
Going hand-in-hand with the popularity of the boy’s name Oliver, the feminine form of this name, Olivia, is a popular pick for a baby girl.
Based from the same Latin root meaning “olive tree,” Olivia was first on the scene in a Shakespearean play, Twelfth Night.
It makes sense that a lot of prominent entertainers are Olivia’s then, like Olivia Newton-John, Olivia Pope, and Olivia DeHavilland.
Both classic and feminine, Olivia is a lovely choice for any baby girl.
3. Ava
A modern twist on the classic “Eve,” Ava is of classic German origin. Variations of the name show up in languages around the world and it’s relatively popular across the globe as well.
While most believe it comes from the Hebrew “Chava” meaning “life,” some also think it could be from the Latin “avis,” meaning “bird.”
Either way, it’s beautiful, short, and sweet. It’s the perfect easy-to-spell, easy-to-write, and easy-to-pronounce name for your baby girl.
We’ve explored the top three names in each category, but you’re probably wondering where to get your hands on the most popular and unique baby names for this year — and beyond.
Cool Names for Babies
There are millions of baby names to choose from, all with their own meanings, spelling variations, and popularity.
Some sites focus on the top 100 baby names, while others have special focuses, like uniqueness and meaning.
We’ve compiled a list of the best baby name resources, below, to make it simple for you to choose the perfect name for your little bundle of joy.
- Babycenter — popular names and meanings
- Nameberry — universal baby names with categorized lists (cool, unusual, popular)
- Behind the Name — lists names, origins, and popularity by nationality
- Babynames.com — clearinghouse of names and meanings with category search
- Babynamewizard — find names by endings, beginnings, length, number of syllables
- Mom365 — fun random baby name generator, pick boy’s or girl’s names and take it for a spin!
These resources should give you a good start on your research and kick your imagination into high gear.
Don’t forget to explore all the options, from popular names to unique ones, since you never know when that perfect name will pop up!
What else should be on the list of most popular baby names in 2018?
Share with us in the comments below!
Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links through which we may receive a commission for purchases made by you.
