If you were born after 2000, then there’s a good chance your name is — or you know someone whose name is – Emma, Olivia, Michael, or Noah. In the nearly two decades of the 21st century that have already passed, there has been a much greater variety of names for parents to choose from.
24/7 Tempo identified the most popular boys and girls names in the last 19 years using data from the Social Security Administration.
Nearly 25.6 million girls and 31.3 million boys were born and given names in the United States between 2001 and 2019. Many of them were given names that have been historically popular — such as William or Elizabeth.
Some of the names on the list, however, only made the ranking of the top 25 because they became very popular over the last two or three years. For example, the name Charlotte was rare in 2001, when only 1,379 babies were given that name. By 2019, nearly 13,200 girls were named Charlotte, an 853% increase.
Overall, the lifespan of the most popular names in the U.S. has shortened. While names like Michael and Mary held the top position for decades in the 20th century, the most popular names of the 21st century have so far been highly popular for much less time. Breaking down the yearly popularity of the 25 most frequently used names for boys and girls, many of the names have been most popular in the first part of the century and declined in popularity every year after that.
In the age of social media, name trends are often started by celebrities. Famous people – from actors to athletes — are responsible for the skyrocketing popularity of some names. These are the 50 fastest-growing first names in America.
Perhaps in a few years from now there will rarely be any more Emilys, Emmas, or Jacobs. They may join other names that will become rarely used — just like these 25 names that are going extinct.
Click here for the most popular girls names
Click here for the most popular boys names
Methodology
To identify the most popular names of the 21st century, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the top 1,000 girl and boy names from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for each year from 2001 to 2019. The SSA has been tracking the most popular names each year beginning in 1880. The dataset includes 25,578,836 female births, and 31,277,694 male births between 2001 and 2019, the latest year for which data is available.
Most popular girls names
25. Evelyn
> Babies named Evelyn between 2001 and 2019: 125,343
> Most popular in: 2017 (10,730 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 10 out of 655
> Share of babies named Evelyn, 2001-2019: 0.49% (0.34% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name may have originated as a mixture of Eve, which means life or living in Hebrew, and Lynn. It may also be the English version of Aveline, which is the French variant of the Germanic Avila.
> Pictured: Model and actress Evelyn Nesbit
[in-text-ad]
24. Amelia
> Babies named Amelia between 2001 and 2019: 125,354
> Most popular in: 2019 (12,862 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 7 out of 655
> Share of babies named Amelia, 2001-2019: 0.49% (0.34% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is Latin but has a Germanic origin that means “laborious.”
> Pictured: Pilot Amelia Earhart
24/7 Wall St.
23. Charlotte
> Babies named Charlotte between 2001 and 2019: 125,420
> Most popular in: 2019 (13,138 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 6 out of 655
> Share of babies named Charlotte, 2001-2019: 0.49% (0.34% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: French in origin, often the feminine diminutive for Charles
> Pictured: Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
22. Anna
> Babies named Anna between 2001 and 2019: 130,767
> Most popular in: 2001 (10,583 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 63 out of 655
> Share of babies named Anna, 2001-2019: 0.51% (0.35% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: From Channah or Hannah, used in the Greek and Latin Old Testament. Used along Ann and Anne since the late Middle Ages
> Pictured: Actress Anna Kendrick
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Alyssa
> Babies named Alyssa between 2001 and 2019: 138,771
> Most popular in: 2001 (13,272 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 171 out of 655
> Share of babies named Alyssa, 2001-2019: 0.54% (0.36% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of English origin meaning “noble.”
> Pictured: Actress Alyssa Milano
20. Victoria
> Babies named Victoria between 2001 and 2019: 144,882
> Most popular in: 2001 (10,179 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 25 out of 655
> Share of babies named Victoria, 2001-2019: 0.57% (0.39% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Victoria is the Latin word for “victory.” The name was popularized by Queen Victoria in the 19th century.
> Pictured: Fashion designer and former singer Victoria Beckham
[in-text-ad]
19. Ella
> Babies named Ella between 2001 and 2019: 152,018
> Most popular in: 2010 (9,877 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 13 out of 655
> Share of babies named Ella, 2001-2019: 0.59% (0.41% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name has a German and English origin meaning “all, completely; fairy maiden.”
> Pictured: Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald
18. Ashley
> Babies named Ashley between 2001 and 2019: 152,213
> Most popular in: 2001 (16,528 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 136 out of 655
> Share of babies named Ashley, 2001-2019: 0.60% (0.40% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Old English words for “ash trees” and lÄah (wood, clearing, meadow, enclosure), hence the meaning “dweller near the ash tree forest.”
> Pictured: Actress and singer Ashley Tisdale
17. Sarah
> Babies named Sarah between 2001 and 2019: 153,199
> Most popular in: 2001 (15,910 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 81 out of 655
> Share of babies named Sarah, 2001-2019: 0.60% (0.40% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Sarah comes from the Hebrew “sÃrÃh,” which mean princess, lady, or noblewoman. In England, the name became more popular in the 16th century.
> Pictured: Comedian Sarah Silverman
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Alexis
> Babies named Alexis between 2001 and 2019: 153,468
> Most popular in: 2001 (16,402 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 236 out of 655
> Share of babies named Alexis, 2001-2019: 0.60% (0.40% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Greek alexein, meaning “to defend, to help.”
> Pictured: Actress Alexis Bledel
15. Natalie
> Babies named Natalie between 2001 and 2019: 154,998
> Most popular in: 2006 (10,949 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 41 out of 655
> Share of babies named Natalie, 2001-2019: 0.61% (0.41% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of English and French origin, derived from the Latin phrase natale domini, meaning “birthday of the Lord.”
> Pictured: Actress Natalie Portman
[in-text-ad]
14. Grace
> Babies named Grace between 2001 and 2019: 172,277
> Most popular in: 2003 (12,778 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 28 out of 655
> Share of babies named Grace, 2001-2019: 0.67% (0.46% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Latin origin and it means “charm.”
> Pictured: Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly
13. Samantha
> Babies named Samantha between 2001 and 2019: 173,867
> Most popular in: 2001 (15,865 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 80 out of 655
> Share of babies named Samantha, 2001-2019: 0.68% (0.46% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Samantha is the female version of Samuel, meaning “name of God, his name is God.”
> Pictured: Fictional character Samantha Jones
12. Chloe
> Babies named Chloe between 2001 and 2019: 174,493
> Most popular in: 2009 (11,912 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 24 out of 655
> Share of babies named Chloe, 2001-2019: 0.68% (0.46% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is derived from the Greek word Khloë, name meaning “blooming” or “fertility.”
> Pictured: Actress Chloë Grace Moretz
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Hannah
> Babies named Hannah between 2001 and 2019: 196,959
> Most popular in: 2001 (20,717 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 32 out of 655
> Share of babies named Hannah, 2001-2019: 0.77% (0.52% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Hebrew origin, meaning “grace.”
> Pictured: Actress Hannah Murray
10. Mia
> Babies named Mia between 2001 and 2019: 208,869
> Most popular in: 2015 (14,913 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 8 out of 655
> Share of babies named Mia, 2001-2019: 0.82% (0.56% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Italian and Scandinavian origin meaning “mine or bitter.”
> Pictured: Former soccer player Mia Hamm
[in-text-ad]
9. Elizabeth
> Babies named Elizabeth between 2001 and 2019: 212,123
> Most popular in: 2001 (14,788 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 14 out of 655
> Share of babies named Elizabeth, 2001-2019: 0.83% (0.56% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from a form of the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning “My God is an oath.”
> Pictured: Queen Elizabeth
24/7 Wall St.
8. Abigail
> Babies named Abigail between 2001 and 2019: 256,263
> Most popular in: 2003 (15,931 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 11 out of 655
> Share of babies named Abigail, 2001-2019: 1.00% (0.68% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Avigail, meaning “my father’s joy.”
> Pictured: Former First Lady Abigail Adams
7. Ava
> Babies named Ava between 2001 and 2019: 258,271
> Most popular in: 2007 (18,052 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 3 out of 655
> Share of babies named Ava, 2001-2019: 1.01% (0.69% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Latin origin, meaning “life; bird; water, island.”
> Pictured: Actress Ava Gardner
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Madison
> Babies named Madison between 2001 and 2019: 271,458
> Most popular in: 2001 (22,166 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 26 out of 655
> Share of babies named Madison, 2001-2019: 1.06% (0.72% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of English origin, meaning “good” or “child of Maud.” It was first popular as a last name.
> Pictured: Singer Madison Beer
5. Sophia
> Babies named Sophia between 2001 and 2019: 293,494
> Most popular in: 2012 (22,320 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 4 out of 655
> Share of babies named Sophia, 2001-2019: 1.15% (0.79% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Also spelled Sofia, the name is derived from the Greek word Sophia, meaning “wisdom.”
> Pictured: Actress Sophia Loren
[in-text-ad]
4. Isabella
> Babies named Isabella between 2001 and 2019: 313,471
> Most popular in: 2010 (22,921 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 5 out of 655
> Share of babies named Isabella, 2001-2019: 1.23% (0.84% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, which is a form of Elizabeth.
> Pictured: Actress Isabella Rossellini
24/7 Wall St.
3. Emily
> Babies named Emily between 2001 and 2019: 315,202
> Most popular in: 2003 (25,691 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 12 out of 655
> Share of babies named Emily, 2001-2019: 1.23% (0.83% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Latin name Aemilia, meaning “striving” or “eager.”
> Pictured: Writer Emily Brontë
2. Olivia
> Babies named Olivia between 2001 and 2019: 327,356
> Most popular in: 2014 (19,817 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 1 out of 655
> Share of babies named Olivia, 2001-2019: 1.28% (0.88% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Latin origin, derived from the word “oliva,” meaning “olive tree.”
> Pictured: Actress Olivia Colman
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Emma
> Babies named Emma between 2001 and 2019: 363,402
> Most popular in: 2003 (22,708 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 2 out of 655
> Share of babies named Emma, 2001-2019: 1.42% (0.97% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Germanic word ermen meaning “whole” or “universal.”
> Pictured: Actress Emma Watson
Most Popular Boys Names
25. Gabriel
> Babies named Gabriel between 2001 and 2019: 216,411
> Most popular in: 2008 (13,036 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 37 out of 655
> Share of babies named Gabriel, 2001-2019: 0.69% (0.55% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name “Gavri’el” meaning “God is my strong man.”
> Pictured: Actor Gabriel Byrne
[in-text-ad]
24. Nicholas
> Babies named Nicholas between 2001 and 2019: 219,597
> Most popular in: 2001 (22,844 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 78 out of 655
> Share of babies named Nicholas, 2001-2019: 0.70% (0.55% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, from nikan, meaning “to conquer,” and laos, meaning “people.”
> Pictured: Actor and producer Nick Cannon (born Nicholas Scott Cannon)
24/7 Wall St.
23. Dylan
> Babies named Dylan between 2001 and 2019: 220,899
> Most popular in: 2001 (16,496 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 39 out of 655
> Share of babies named Dylan, 2001-2019: 0.71% (0.56% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name has Welsh and English origin. “Dy” means “great,” and “llanw” means “tide, flow.”
> Pictured: Actor Dylan McDermott
22. Samuel
> Babies named Samuel between 2001 and 2019: 232,162
> Most popular in: 2001 (14,801 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 22 out of 655
> Share of babies named Samuel, 2001-2019: 0.74% (0.59% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Hebrew origin, derived from Shemu’el, meaning either “name of God” or “God heard.”
> Pictured: Actor Samuel L. Jackson
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Elijah
> Babies named Elijah between 2001 and 2019: 239,537
> Most popular in: 2011 (13,975 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 5 out of 655
> Share of babies named Elijah, 2001-2019: 0.77% (0.61% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Hebrew origin, meaning “My God Is Yahweh.”
> Pictured: Congressman Elijah Cummings
20. Mason
> Babies named Mason between 2001 and 2019: 241,547
> Most popular in: 2011 (19,516 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 9 out of 655
> Share of babies named Mason, 2001-2019: 0.77% (0.62% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name has Scottish and English origin and was the occupational name for a stonemason.
> Pictured: Musician Mason Williams
[in-text-ad]
19. John
> Babies named John between 2001 and 2019: 243,376
> Most popular in: 2001 (18,893 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 28 out of 655
> Share of babies named John, 2001-2019: 0.78% (0.62% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Yôḥānān, meaning “Yahweh has been gracious.”
> Pictured: Singer and songwriter John Lennon
24/7 Wall St.
18. Ryan
> Babies named Ryan between 2001 and 2019: 243,795
> Most popular in: 2003 (19,576 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 54 out of 655
> Share of babies named Ryan, 2001-2019: 0.78% (0.62% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Irish origin, derived from the “Ó Riain,” meaning “descendant of RÃan.”
> Pictured: Actor Ryan Reynolds
17. Logan
> Babies named Logan between 2001 and 2019: 250,876
> Most popular in: 2006 (15,147 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 16 out of 655
> Share of babies named Logan, 2001-2019: 0.80% (0.64% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Scottish surname Logan, which is in turn derived from Scottish place name, meaning “little hollow” in Scottish Gaelic.
> Pictured: Actor Logan Lerman
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Benjamin
> Babies named Benjamin between 2001 and 2019: 256,621
> Most popular in: 2016 (14,658 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 7 out of 655
> Share of babies named Benjamin, 2001-2019: 0.82% (0.65% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Binyamin, meaning “son of the south” or “son of the right hand.”
> Pictured: One of the Founding Fathers of the United States Benjamin Franklin
15. David
> Babies named David between 2001 and 2019: 276,520
> Most popular in: 2001 (19,351 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 27 out of 655
> Share of babies named David, 2001-2019: 0.88% (0.70% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Also often used as a surname, David is derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, which was derived from Hebrew dod, meaning “beloved” or “uncle.”
> Pictured: Comedian David Chappelle
[in-text-ad]
14. Christopher
> Babies named Christopher between 2001 and 2019: 280,263
> Most popular in: 2001 (23,127 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 44 out of 655
> Share of babies named Christopher, 2001-2019: 0.90% (0.71% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Greek origin, derived from the name Christophoros, meaning “bearing Christ.”
> Pictured: Film director Christopher Nolan
24/7 Wall St.
13. Andrew
> Babies named Andrew between 2001 and 2019: 283,663
> Most popular in: 2001 (22,414 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 46 out of 655
> Share of babies named Andrew, 2001-2019: 0.91% (0.72% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Greek name Andreas, which itself was derived from andreios, meaning “manly, masculine,” which is a derivative of aner meaning “man.”
> Pictured: Former US President Andrew Johnson
12. Anthony
> Babies named Anthony between 2001 and 2019: 284,106
> Most popular in: 2003 (20,147 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 38 out of 655
> Share of babies named Anthony, 2001-2019: 0.91% (0.72% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is the English form of the Roman family name Antonius, which is of unknown Etruscan origin.
> Pictured: Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain
[in-text-ad-2]
11. James
> Babies named James between 2001 and 2019: 284,437
> Most popular in: 2001 (17,072 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 6 out of 655
> Share of babies named James, 2001-2019: 0.91% (0.72% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from a version of the Biblical Latin form Iacobus, from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov (Jacob).
> Pictured: Actor James Earl Jones
10. Joseph
> Babies named Joseph between 2001 and 2019: 287,280
> Most popular in: 2001 (22,014 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 24 out of 655
> Share of babies named Joseph, 2001-2019: 0.92% (0.73% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Latin form of Greek name Ioseph, which is itself a form of the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning “he will add.”
> Pictured: Former professional boxer Joe Frazier (born Joseph William Frazier)
[in-text-ad]
9. Alexander
> Babies named Alexander between 2001 and 2019: 303,325
> Most popular in: 2008 (18,701 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 11 out of 655
> Share of babies named Alexander, 2001-2019: 0.97% (0.77% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning “defending men.”
> Pictured: American statesman Alexander Hamilton
8. Joshua
> Babies named Joshua between 2001 and 2019: 310,408
> Most popular in: 2001 (26,021 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 48 out of 655
> Share of babies named Joshua, 2001-2019: 0.99% (0.78% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshu’a, meaning “YAHWEH is salvation.” The roots of the name refer to the Hebrew God yasha, which means “to save.”
> Pictured: Actor John Duhamel (born Joshua Duhamel)
7. Noah
> Babies named Noah between 2001 and 2019: 312,057
> Most popular in: 2015 (19,646 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 2 out of 655
> Share of babies named Noah, 2001-2019: 1.00% (0.80% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Noach, meaning “rest, repose.”
> Pictured: Actor Noah Wyle
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Daniel
> Babies named Daniel between 2001 and 2019: 315,035
> Most popular in: 2002 (21,319 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 15 out of 655
> Share of babies named Daniel, 2001-2019: 1.01% (0.80% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, which means “God is my judge.”
> Pictured: Actor Daniel Kaluuya
5. Matthew
> Babies named Matthew between 2001 and 2019: 317,778
> Most popular in: 2001 (26,811 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 23 out of 655
> Share of babies named Matthew, 2001-2019: 1.02% (0.80% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: Derived from the English version of Matthaios, the Greek form of the Hebrew Mattiyahu, meaning “a gift of God.”
> Pictured: Actor Matthew McConaughey
[in-text-ad]
4. William
> Babies named William between 2001 and 2019: 333,255
> Most popular in: 2004 (20,226 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 4 out of 655
> Share of babies named William, 2001-2019: 1.07% (0.85% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of German origin. It’s derived from the name Willahelm, meaning “will helmet.”
> Pictured: Playwright William Shakespeare
3. Ethan
> Babies named Ethan between 2001 and 2019: 335,423
> Most popular in: 2004 (22,208 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 10 out of 655
> Share of babies named Ethan, 2001-2019: 1.07% (0.85% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is of Hebrew origin that means “solid, enduring, firm.”
> Pictured: Film director Ethan Cohen
2. Michael
> Babies named Michael between 2001 and 2019: 363,299
> Most popular in: 2001 (29,685 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 14 out of 655
> Share of babies named Michael, 2001-2019: 1.16% (0.92% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name if of Hebrew origin, derived from Mikha’el, meaning “who is like God?”
> Pictured: Former basketball player Michael Jordan
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Jacob
> Babies named Jacob between 2001 and 2019: 402,290
> Most popular in: 2001 (32,550 births)
> Popularity in 2019: No. 13 out of 655
> Share of babies named Jacob, 2001-2019: 1.29% (1.02% on avg a year)
> Meaning and origin: The name is derived from the Latin name Iacobus and is of Hebrew origin, meaning “supplanter.”
> Pictured: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, born Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
