Parenting

Just Released: The 21 Most Popular Baby Boy Names of the Year

ParentingPublished May 6, 2016
By Jacqueline Burt Cote
baby boy

Like fashion, food, and pretty much everything else, baby names come and go in popularity -- but some classic monikers never go out of style. And now that the Social Security office has released its list of the most popular baby names of the year, you can see just how trendy -- or timeless -- your little one's name is!

Click through to find out what the top 21 names were for baby boys last year (spoiler alert: Biblical names were huge!). And be sure to check out our list of the year's most popular baby names for girls, too!

Image via ucchie79/Shutterstock

1/21
1. Noah-placeholder
1. Noah
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1. Noah

Perfect for future veterinarians (or sailors?), this biblical name is "derived from the Hebrew nōach (rest, comfort)."

2/21
2. Liam-placeholder
2. Liam
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2. Liam

The Irish form of William, this comes with quite a noble meaning: "Resolute protector." (No pressure!)

3/21
3. Mason-placeholder
3. Mason
iStock.com/Alija

3. Mason

Don't be surprised if your little Mason likes to play with rocks: This name comes from an English surname meaning "stoneworker." 

More from The Stir: 13 Hottest Names for Boys in 2016

4/21
4. Jacob-placeholder
4. Jacob
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4. Jacob

Whether you go with Jacob or Jake, this name comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, which means "seizing by the heel, supplanting."

5/21
5. William-placeholder
5. William
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5. William

Sort of a compound word, William comes from the Old High German Willehelm, "composed from the elements willeo (will, determination) and helm (protection, helmet): hence, 'resolute protector.'" No wonder so many kings had this moniker!

6/21
6. Ethan-placeholder
6. Ethan
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6. Ethan

Talk about a lucky name: Ethan, a Latin name derived from the Hebrew ēthān, means "strength, firmness, long-lived." 

More from The Stir: 15 Powerful Baby Boy Names Inspired by Superheroes

7/21
7. James-placeholder
7. James
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7. James

James, Jamie, Jimmy, Jim ... they're all derivitaves of the Hebrew Yaakov (supplanting, seizing by the heel).

8/21
8. Alexander-placeholder
8. Alexander
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8. Alexander

Alexander the Great had a pretty, well, great name to live up to: This Greek name means "defender or helper of mankind."

9/21
9. Michael-placeholder
9. Michael
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9. Michael

Apparently Michael was an archangel for a reason: This name is derived from the Hebrew mīkhā’ē‘l, which means "Who is like God?"

More from The Stir: 27 Hot British Baby Boy Names That Americans Haven't Discovered

10/21
10. Benjamin-placeholder
10. Benjamin
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10. Benjamin

Another Hebrew-derived title, Benjamin means "son of the right hand." Plus, everybody knows it's all about the Benjamins!

11/21
11. Elijah-placeholder
11. Elijah
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11. Elijah

More than just the name of the guy who played Frodo, Elijah is derived from the Hebrew 'ēlīyāhū (Jehovah is God).

12/21
12. Daniel-placeholder
12. Daniel
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12. Daniel

In the Bible, Daniel was saved from the lion by his faith -- maybe that's why in Hebrew, this name means "God is my judge."

More from The Stir: Top 16 Boys' Names With a Hint of Mischief

13/21
13. Aiden-placeholder
13. Aiden
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13. Aiden

Expect the toddler years to be especially wild if you name your son Aiden: This anglicized version of the Irish Aodhan means "little fiery one."

14/21
14. Logan-placeholder
14. Logan
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14. Logan

We love the Irish name Logan, even if we are a little confused by the meaning: "Dweller at a little hollow."

15/21
15. Matthew-placeholder
15. Matthew
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15. Matthew

Proof that your little guy is Heaven sent: Derived from Hebrew, Matthew means "gift of God."

More from The Stir: 25 Priceless Baby Boy Names That Begin With 'P'

16/21
16. Lucas-placeholder
16. Lucas
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16. Lucas

Here's a name you can play "choose your own meaning" with: Lucas is thought to be derived from either the Latin name Lucius, which is from the root lux (light), or the Ecclesiastic Greek Loukas, a contraction of Loukanos (man from Lucania).

17/21
17. Jackson-placeholder
17. Jackson
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17. Jackson

The meaning of this English name is a no-brainer: "Son of Jack."

18/21
18. David-placeholder
18. David
iStock.com/Milan Stojanovic

18. David

The definition of David is about as sweet as it gets: From the Hebrew dāvīd, it means "beloved." Awww!

More from The Stir: The Top 3 Baby Boy Names of All Time

19/21
19. Oliver-placeholder
19. Oliver
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19. Oliver

Another name with two possible definitions, Oliver means either "olive tree" from the Old French "Olivier" or "elf army" (of Germanic origin). "Elf army" is pretty cool, right?

20/21
20. Jayden-placeholder
20. Jayden
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20. Jayden

Thought to be a cross between Aidan and Jacob, the popularity of Jayden is considered to be largely due to Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's son.

21/21
21. Joseph-placeholder
21. Joseph
ucchie79/Shutterstock

21. Joseph

Since Joseph was a pretty major character in the Bible, it's no surprise that this one comes from the Hebrew yōsēf (may he add, God shall add).

More from The Stir: 25 Baby Boy Names Inspired by Saints

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