Home / Pregnancy / Baby Names *This* was the most popular baby name the year you were born Juan Encalada/Unsplash (And when your baby was born, too.) By Diana Spalding, CNM December 11, 2020 Juan Encalada/Unsplash Rectangle Baby-names are endlessly fascinating. Whether it’s narrowing down your list as you decide what to name your sweet baby or learning the story behind your name, the topic of baby names quickly becomes a rabbit hole of curiosity. Have you ever wondered about how popular your name was the year you were born? What about how popular your baby’s name was the year they were born? We checked in with the Social Security Administration and found out the most popular names for the last 50 years. Right now, 2020’s most popular baby name list isn’t out just yet, but in the meantime, you can check out this list of 2020 baby name predictions, and then hang tight to see if they were right! Remember, trendy or unique, your baby’s name will always be perfect—and yours is too! Here are the 5 most popular baby names by year for boys and girls: The most popular baby names in 2019 Girl : Olivia Emma Ava Sophia Isabella Boy Liam Noah Oliver William Elijah The most popular baby names in 2018 Girl : Emma Olivia Ava Isabella Sophia Boy : Liam Noah William James Oliver The most popular baby names in 2017 Girl: Emma Olivia Ava Isabella Sophia Boy: Liam Noah William James Logan The most popular baby names in 2016 Girl: Emma Olivia Ava Sophia Isabella Boy: Noah Liam William Mason James The most popular baby names in 2015 Girl: Emma Olivia Ava Sophia Isabella Boy: Noah Liam Jacob Mason William The most popular baby names in 2014 Girl: Emma Olivia Sophia Isabella Ava Boy: Noah Liam Mason Jacob William The most popular baby names in 2013 Girl: Sophia Emma Olivia Isabella Ava Boy: Noah Jacob Liam Mason William The most popular baby names in 2012 Girl: Sophia Emma Isabella Olivia Ava Boy: Jacob Mason Ethan Noah William The most popular baby names in 2011 Girl: Sophia Isabella Emma Olivia Ava Boy: Jacob Mason William Jayden Noah The most popular baby names in 2010 Girl: Isabella Sophia Emma Olivia Ava Boy: Jacob Ethan Michael Jayden William The most popular baby names in 2009 Girl: Isabella Emma Olivia Sophia Ava Boy: Jacob Ethan Michael Alexander William The most popular baby names in 2008 Girl: Emma Isabella Emily Olivia Ava Boy: Jacob Michael Ethan Joshua Daniel The most popular baby names in 2007 Girl: Emily Isabella Emma Ava Madison Boy: Jacob Michael Ethan Joshua Daniel The most popular baby names in 2006 Girl: Emily Emma Madison Isabella Ava Boy: Jacob Michael Joshua Ethan Matthew The most popular baby names in 2005 Girl: Emily Emma Madison Abigail Olivia Boy: Jacob Michael Joshua Matthew Ethan The most popular baby names in 2004 Girl: Emily Emma Madison Olivia Hannah Boy: Jacob Michael Joshua Matthew Ethan The most popular baby names in 2003 Girl: Emily Emma Madison Hannah Olivia Boy: Jacob Michael Joshua Matthew Andrew The most popular baby names in 2002 Girl: Emily Madison Hannah Emma Alexis Boy: Jacob Michael Joshua Matthew Ethan The most popular baby names in 2001 Girl: Emily Madison Hannah Ashley Alexis Boy: Jacob Michael Matthew Joshua Christopher The most popular baby names in 2000 Girl: Emily Hannah Madison Ashley Sarah Boy: Jacob Michael Matthew Joshua Christopher The most popular baby names in 1999 Girl: Emily Hannah Alexis Sarah Samantha Boy: Jacob Michael Matthew Joshua Nicholas The most popular baby names in 1998 Girl: Emily Hannah Samantha Sarah Ashley Boy: Michael Jacob Matthew Joshua Christopher The most popular baby names in 1997 Girl: Emily Jessica Ashley Sarah Hannah Boy: Michael Jacob Matthew Christopher Joshua The most popular baby names in 1996 Girl: Emily Jessica Ashley Sarah Samantha Boy: Michael Matthew Jacob Christopher Joshua The most popular baby names in 1995 Girl: Jessica Ashley Emily Samantha Sarah Boy: Michael Matthew Christopher Jacob Joshua The most popular baby names in 1994 Girl: Jessica Ashley Emily Samantha Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua Tyler The most popular baby names in 1993 Girl: Jessica Ashley Sarah Samantha Emily Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua Tyler The most popular baby names in 1992 Girl: Ashley Jessica Amanda Brittany Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua Andrew The most popular baby names in 1991 Girl: Ashley Jessica Brittany Amanda Samantha Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua Andrew The most popular baby names in 1990 Girl: Jessica Ashley Brittany Amanda Samantha Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua Daniel The most popular baby names in 1989 Girl: Jessica Ashley Brittany Amanda Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua David The most popular baby names in 1988 Girl: Jessica Ashley Amanda Sarah Jennifer Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua Andrew The most popular baby names in 1987 Girl: Jessica Ashley Amanda Jennifer Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua David The most popular baby names in 1986 Girl: Jessica Ashley Amanda Jennifer Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua David The most popular baby names in 1985 Girl: Jessica Ashley Jennifer Amanda Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua Daniel The most popular baby names in 1984 Girl: Jennifer Jessica Ashley Amanda Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Joshua David The most popular baby names in 1983 Girl: Jennifer Jessica Amanda Ashley Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew David Joshua The most popular baby names in 1982 Girl: Jennifer Jessica Amanda Sarah Melissa Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Jason David The most popular baby names in 1981 Girl: Jennifer Jessica Amanda Sarah Melissa Boy: Michael Christopher Matthew Jason David The most popular baby names in 1980 Girl: Jennifer Amanda Jessica Melissa Sarah Boy: Michael Christopher Jason David James The most popular baby names in 1979 Girl: Jennifer Melissa Amanda Jessica Amy Boy: Michael Christopher Jason David James The most popular baby names in 1978 Girl: Jennifer Melissa Jessica Amy Heather Boy: Michael Jason Christopher David James The most popular baby names in 1977 Girl: Jennifer Melissa Amy Jessica Heather Boy: Michael Jason Christopher David James The most popular baby names in 1976 Girl: Jennifer Amy Melissa Heather Angela Boy: Michael Jason Christopher David James The most popular baby names in 1975 Girl: Jennifer Amy Heather Melissa Angela Boy: Michael Jason Christopher James David The most popular baby names in 1974 Girl: Jennifer Amy Michelle Heather Angela Boy: Michael Jason Christopher David James The most popular baby names in 1973 Girl: Jennifer Amy Michelle Kimberly Lisa Boy: Michael Christopher Jason James David The most popular baby names in 1972 Girl: Jennifer Michelle Lisa Kimberly Amy Boy: Michael Christopher James David John The most popular baby names in 1971 Girl: Jennifer Michelle Lisa Amy Angela Boy: Michael James David John Robert The most popular baby names in 1970 Girl: Jennifer Lisa Kimberly Michelle Amy Boy: Michael James David John Robert Perfect gifts for your favorite newly named baby from The Motherly Shop. Pacifier and teether bundle This bundle includes a genius pacifier with a “pop when it drops” function to help keep your baby’s favorite pacifier clean. The high-grade silicone teether will keep those teething gums happy—and how adorable is this set? $25 Buy Now Milestone blanket A big name deserve a big entrance. We love these gorgeous milestones blankets for their first photos and sharing their name with the world! $25 Buy Now We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. Related Stories Pregnancy Top baby names 2024: Who’s in, who’s out, and what’s trending Viral & Trending My sister ‘stole’ my dream baby name—how do I make peace with it? Viral & Trending Son asks if he’s wrong for not changing his name despite parents’ wishes The latest Pregnancy Top baby names 2024: Who’s in, who’s out, and what’s trending Viral & Trending My sister ‘stole’ my dream baby name—how do I make peace with it? 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