Parenting

The Top 20 Most Popular Baby Names of 2016

ParentingPublished Dec 5, 2016
By Tanvier Peart
3 months old lovely baby portraitmargo_black/Shutterstock

We've come to that special time of year when we look back at the last 12 months and reflect on all the things we love and are so thankful to have in our lives. Whether you're expecting a child or welcomed one not too long ago, any parent can tell you that a great baby name is the gift that keeps on giving -- and boy do we have some goodies for you.

Baby Center just announced its list of the most popular baby names of 2016 that will give expectant parents a little insight on the names that moms and dads love for their daughters and sons.

Close to 400,000 parents shared their baby name choices, allowing the online destination to compile a list of the top 100 baby names of the year. (The list also includes submitted names with multiple spellings.)

So what names made it, you ask?

We've got a rundown of the top 10 baby names for girls and boys.

top 20 baby names
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1/20
Girl's #10: Charlotte-placeholder
Girl's #10: Charlotte
ohmmzz/Shutterstock

Girl's #10: Charlotte

You don't know how happy we are to see the name Charlotte on this list! Rounding out the top 10 most popular girl names of 2016, Charlotte is a baby name some parents say they regret giving their daughters -- which obviously isn't that true. How can you not love this regal baby name that Prince William and Kate Middleton used for their daughter? It's such a classic!

More from CafeMom: 19 Celebrity Middle Names You'll Want to Steal for Your Baby

2/20
Boy's #10: Elijah-placeholder
Boy's #10: Elijah
Volodymyr Tverdokhlib/Shutterstock

Boy's #10: Elijah

Last, but certainly not least, is the darling Elijah. This popular Hebrew baby name (Elijah comes from 'ēlīyāhū, which means "Jehovah is God") is one that makes us smile. We love the interplay between the J and H that rolls of your tongue. Plus, Elijah gives us the cute nickname Eli. We really adore this baby name!

More from CafeMom: 21 Baby Names Voted 'The Worst' of 2016 ... So Far

3/20
Girl's #9: Zoe-placeholder
Girl's #9: Zoe
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Girl's #9: Zoe

We're pretty stoked to see that Zoe made the list of sought-after names. It gives us so much life -- which likely is in part because of its Greek origin. In case you ever see this on Jeopardy, Zoe comes from the Greek word zōē that means, you guessed it, "life." Daily double!

4/20
Boy's #9: Oliver-placeholder
Boy's #9: Oliver
polya_olya/Shutterstock

Boy's #9: Oliver

We can think of a million reasons why the baby name Oliver totally rocks. It's a delightful name that makes us think of a chubby-cheeked child who coos and smiles without end. Oliver is a French name that was a hit in the 1880s and is still popular today.

5/20
Girl's #8: Aria-placeholder
Girl's #8: Aria
Elena Valebnaya/Shutterstock

Girl's #8: Aria

Do Re Me Fa So La Ti Do! There are tons of melodic baby names, but something about Aria makes us want to belt sweet nothings for all to hear. This baby name is truly too beautiful for words.

6/20
Boy's #8: Caden-placeholder
Boy's #8: Caden
Olga Max/Shutterstock

Boy's #8: Caden

Caden might not sound like an everyday name to you, but it does make this year's top 10 list of the most popular baby names. Caden is trendy, gives us the catchy nickname Cade, and is pretty unforgettable once you hear it.

More from CafeMom: 18 Gorgeous Celtic Baby Name That Are Totally Overlooked

7/20
Girl's #7: Riley-placeholder
Girl's #7: Riley
photopia/Shutterstock

Girl's #7: Riley

Earning the number seven spot on the list of most popular baby names for girls is Riley. Whether you like this name for a boy or girl, Riley is a choice that has a ton of spunk and so much charm.

More from CafeMom: 25 Gorgeous & Unusual Baby Names That Work for Boys or Girls

8/20
Boy's #7: Mason-placeholder
Boy's #7: Mason
Katrina Elena/Shutterstock

Boy's #7: Mason

Playfully known as "my son," Mason is a super popular baby name for little boys (and girls). Most of the kiddos we know with this name are cutie pies. FINISH.

Most kids we know with the name Mason are cutie pies. It's one of those baby names that comes with a whole lot of swag. Parents can have fun with Mason, including when you refer to him as "my son." Haha, get it? (Dorky, we know.)

9/20
Girl's #6: Isabella-placeholder
Girl's #6: Isabella
Anna Demjanenko/Shutterstock

Girl's #6: Isabella

Hey, baby girl! Isabella is a baby name that moms and dads obviously love to love. It's a Spanish variant of the Hebrew elīsheba' ("God is my oath"), and is quite timeless.

10/20
Boy's #6: Ethan-placeholder
Boy's #6: Ethan
Studio concept/Shutterstock

Boy's #6: Ethan

Long live Ethan! This baby name finds itself in the middle of the pack of most popular boy names -- and for good reason. Ethan is a vintage name that's still admired and adored today. After all, what's not to love about this Hebrew name that means "strength" and "firmness"?

11/20
Girl's #5: Mia-placeholder
Girl's #5: Mia
TeodorLazarev/Shutterstock

Girl's #5: Mia

Less can be more, and that's so true with this baby name. Mia is an adorable option for a little girl that's a trendy pet name of Maria. It's been hot since 2012 and we don't see it fizzling out any time soon.

12/20
Boy's #5: Noah-placeholder
Boy's #5: Noah
Tatiana Chekryzhova/Shutterstock

Boy's #5: Noah

Even though Noah is the fifth most popular baby name for boys of 2016, don't be fooled: It's actually a gender-neutral choice for your son or daughter. A popular name from the Bible, Noah comes from the Hebrew nōach, which means "rest" or "comfort." Hopefully parents who name their child Noah will get some rest and comfort throughout the night.

More from CafeMom: 50 Cool Baby Names Inspired by the Bible

13/20
Girl's #4: Ava-placeholder
Girl's #4: Ava
Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock

Girl's #4: Ava

Have you noticed a trend with the girl baby names on the list? Most end in A or provide that heavenly "aah" sound -- including dear Ava. This one is short and sweet with a little va-va-voom.

More from CafeMom: 21 Beautiful but Not Forgotten Victorian Baby Names to Put on Your List

14/20
Boy's #4: Liam-placeholder
Boy's #4: Liam
Alena Sli/Shutterstock

Boy's #4: Liam

There are so many reasons to love Liam. Liam Hemsworth. Liam Neeson. Should you choose this title for your son, just know he's going to join a list of handsome fellas. Though it's only a four-letter baby name, Liam has gusto as the Irish cognate of William which means "resolute protector."

15/20
Girl's #3: Olivia-placeholder
Girl's #3: Olivia
Elena Valebnaya/Shutterstock

Girl's #3: Olivia

Scandal fans are going to lovvve this one. Olivia is the third most popular baby name. It has a Shakespearean aura about it that makes it lovable until the end of time. Olivia, Olivia? Wherefore art thou, Olivia? See, it works.

16/20
Boy's #3: Lucas-placeholder
Boy's #3: Lucas
Tetiana Iatsenko/Shutterstock

Boy's #3: Lucas

Not to be confused with Luke is the classic Latin name Lucas that was quite popular this year. Pulling inspiration from lux (which means "light"), this choice will make your son a shining star.

17/20
Girl's #2: Emma-placeholder
Girl's #2: Emma
Natalia Lebedinskaia/Shutterstock

Girl's #2: Emma

Parents interested in a strong name that packs a punch should take a look at Emma. This Germanic variant hails from Erma, which is related to "strength." It's already on our short list!

18/20
Boy's #2: Aiden-placeholder
Boy's #2: Aiden
Seqoya/Shutterstock

Boy's #2: Aiden

Gender-neutral baby name alert! Moms and dads, great ready to fall in love with the name Aiden -- it's quite the charmer. Aiden should get you excited and give you the feels as it's a vibrant Irish baby name fromAodhan, which means "little fiery one."

More from CafeMom: 50 Best Irish Baby Names for Lucky Little Boys & Girls

19/20
#1 Most Popular Girl's Name: Sophia-placeholder
#1 Most Popular Girl's Name: Sophia
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#1 Most Popular Girl's Name: Sophia

If you named your baby girl Sophia, you're just too cool for school. Greek for "wisdom," this baby name earns the number one spot on the girls' list and is super cute.

More from CafeMom: 25 Gorgeous Greek Baby Names for Girls

20/20
#1 Most Popular Boy's Name: Jackson-placeholder
#1 Most Popular Boy's Name: Jackson
Tatiana Chekryzhova/Shutterstock

#1 Most Popular Boy's Name: Jackson

Hey, Jackson! Joining Sophia is the baby name Jackson, which takes the number one position as the most popular baby name of the year for boys. A common surname with English roots, Jackson gives us some fun nicknames -- like Jack and Jackie.

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