70 Popular Baby Names That Never Go Out of Style
Looking for a baby name that's stylish, meaningful, and well-loved? As a mom of 5 kids, I know firsthand how overwhelming choosing the perfect name can feel. After going through this process multiple times, I've learned that popular baby names become popular for good reasons — they're timeless, versatile, and give your child options as they grow.
Here's a list of 70 popular baby names that combines my favorite timeless classics with modern favorites that I've seen work beautifully in real life. Each name includes its meaning, origin, and a well-known association to help you choose the perfect fit for your little one, just like I did for each of my five children.
Once you've chosen that perfect name, don't forget to add personalized items like name blankets or custom onesies to your baby registry checklist — they make such meaningful keepsakes for your little one's first years.
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Getting Started with 70 Popular Baby Names
1. Olivia
Meaning: Olive tree
Origin: Latin
Association: Olivia Wilde, actress and filmmaker
2. Liam
Meaning: Strong-willed warrior
Origin: Irish
Association: Liam Hemsworth, actor
3. Emma
Meaning: Whole or universal
Origin: German
Association: Emma Watson, actress and activist
4. Noah
Meaning: Rest, comfort
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Noah from the Bible, builder of the Ark
5. Ava
Meaning: Life or bird
Origin: Latin
Association: Ava Gardner, classic Hollywood actress
6. Oliver
Meaning: Olive tree
Origin: Latin
Association: Oliver Twist, literary character by Charles Dickens
7. Sophia
Meaning: Wisdom
Origin: Greek
Association: Sophia Loren, iconic Italian actress
8. Elijah
Meaning: My God is Yahweh
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Elijah Wood, actor
9. Amelia
Meaning: Industrious, striving
Origin: German
Association: Amelia Earhart, aviation pioneer
10. James
Meaning: Supplanter
Origin: Hebrew
Association: James Bond, fictional spy character
11. Charlotte
Meaning: Free man
Origin: French
Association: Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
12. Benjamin
Meaning: Son of the right hand
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Benjamin Franklin, American Founding Father
13. Mia
Meaning: Mine or beloved
Origin: Italian/Scandinavian
Association: Mia Farrow, actress
14. Lucas
Meaning: Light-giving
Origin: Latin
Association: Lucasfilm, creator of Star Wars
15. Isabella
Meaning: Devoted to God
Origin: Hebrew/Spanish
Association: Queen Isabella of Spain
16. Henry
Meaning: Ruler of the household
Origin: German
Association: Henry VIII, King of England
17. Evelyn
Meaning: Wished-for child
Origin: English
Association: Evelyn Waugh, novelist
18. Alexander
Meaning: Defender of men
Origin: Greek
Association: Alexander the Great, Macedonian king
19. Harper
Meaning: Harp player
Origin: English
Association: Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird"
20. William
Meaning: Resolute protector
Origin: German
Association: Prince William of the UK
21. Ella
Meaning: Fairy maiden or all
Origin: German/English
Association: Ella Fitzgerald, jazz singer
22. Daniel
Meaning: God is my judge
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Daniel Radcliffe, actor
23. Lily
Meaning: Lily flower, purity
Origin: Latin
Association: Lily Collins, actress
24. Michael
Meaning: Who is like God?
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Michael Jordan, basketball legend
25. Grace
Meaning: Grace, favor
Origin: Latin
Association: Grace Kelly, actress and princess
26. Ethan
Meaning: Strong, firm
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Ethan Hawke, actor
27. Chloe
Meaning: Blooming or fertility
Origin: Greek
Association: Chloe Sevigny, actress
28. Matthew
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Matthew McConaughey, actor
29. Scarlett
Meaning: Red
Origin: English
Association: Scarlett Johansson, actress
30. Jack
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: English
Association: Jack Nicholson, actor
31. Aria
Meaning: Song or melody
Origin: Hebrew/Italian
Association: Aria Montgomery, character from "Pretty Little Liars"
32. Sebastian
Meaning: Venerable, revered
Origin: Greek
Association: Sebastian Stan, actor
33. Zoe
Meaning: Life
Origin: Greek
Association: Zoë Kravitz, actress and singer
34. Aiden
Meaning: Little fire
Origin: Irish
Association: Aiden Turner, actor
35. Aurora
Meaning: Dawn
Origin: Latin
Association: Princess Aurora from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty"
36. Joseph
Meaning: God will increase
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Joseph from the Bible, coat of many colors
37. Natalie
Meaning: Birthday of the Lord
Origin: Latin
Association: Natalie Portman, actress
38. David
Meaning: Beloved
Origin: Hebrew
Association: King David of Israel
39. Hannah
Meaning: Grace or favor
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Hannah Montana, Disney character
40. Carter
Meaning: Transporter of goods by cart
Origin: English
Association: Carter Pewterschmidt, character in "Family Guy"
41. Leah
Meaning: Weary or delicate
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Leah from the Bible, wife of Jacob
42. Wyatt
Meaning: Brave in war
Origin: English
Association: Wyatt Earp, Old West lawman
43. Nora
Meaning: Light
Origin: Irish
Association: Nora Ephron, filmmaker
44. Samuel
Meaning: God has heard
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Samuel L. Jackson, actor
45. Hazel
Meaning: Hazelnut tree
Origin: English
Association: Hazel Grace, character from "The Fault in Our Stars"
46. Logan
Meaning: Little hollow
Origin: Scottish
Association: Logan/Wolverine from X-Men
47. Luna
Meaning: Moon
Origin: Latin
Association: Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter character
48. Owen
Meaning: Young warrior
Origin: Welsh
Association: Owen Wilson, actor
49. Stella
Meaning: Star
Origin: Latin
Association: Stella McCartney, fashion designer
50. Leo
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Latin
Association: Leonardo DiCaprio, actor
51. Ivy
Meaning: Ivy plant, fidelity
Origin: English
Association: Ivy League, group of prestigious universities
52. Isaac
Meaning: He will laugh
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Isaac Newton, scientist
53. Penelope
Meaning: Weaver
Origin: Greek
Association: Penelope Cruz, actress
54. Gabriel
Meaning: God is my strength
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Angel Gabriel in Christian tradition
55. Victoria
Meaning: Victory
Origin: Latin
Association: Queen Victoria of England
56. Julian
Meaning: Youthful
Origin: Latin
Association: Julian Assange, activist
57. Claire
Meaning: Bright, clear
Origin: French
Association: Claire Danes, actress
58. Anthony
Meaning: Priceless one
Origin: Latin
Association: Anthony Hopkins, actor
59. Ellie
Meaning: Light
Origin: English/Greek
Association: Ellie Goulding, singer
60. Christopher
Meaning: Bearer of Christ
Origin: Greek
Association: Christopher Columbus, explorer
61. Savannah
Meaning: Open plain
Origin: Spanish
Association: Savannah Guthrie, TV host
62. Thomas
Meaning: Twin
Origin: Aramaic
Association: Thomas Edison, inventor
63. Audrey
Meaning: Noble strength
Origin: English
Association: Audrey Hepburn, actress
64. Caleb
Meaning: Wholehearted, faithful
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Caleb from the Bible, one of the spies
65. Bella
Meaning: Beautiful
Origin: Italian
Association: Bella Swan, character in Twilight
66. Andrew
Meaning: Manly, brave
Origin: Greek
Association: Andrew Garfield, actor
67. Sadie
Meaning: Princess
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Sadie Sink, actress
68. Nathan
Meaning: He gave
Origin: Hebrew
Association: Nathan Fillion, actor
69. Maya
Meaning: Illusion or water
Origin: Sanskrit/Hebrew/Greek
Association: Maya Angelou, poet and author
70. Dylan
Meaning: Son of the sea
Origin: Welsh
Association: Bob Dylan, musician
Wrapping It Up
Make a list of your top 5 names and live with them for a week. Say them out loud daily, imagine calling them at a playground, and picture them on a resume. The name that still feels right is your winner.
Popular names work for good reasons - they're pronounceable, age well, and give your child options. If you're looking for something different, consider exploring unique baby girl names or rare baby boy names for a more distinctive choice. Don't overthink it, but don't underthink it either.
Whether you choose a modern baby girl name, prefer short baby girl names for simplicity, or are drawn to Irish baby girl names for cultural significance, your love makes any name special. Don't forget to consider middle names for baby girls to create the perfect combination.
Trust your instincts, consider your family's values, and remember - there's no perfect name, just the right one for your family.
