Popularity is not all it’s cut out to be. When it comes to naming their child, most parents want to avoid using trendy baby names. “In a survey given to over 140,000 people on our site, a great majority of parents said they do not want a popular name and would actively avoid a name if they see it’s on the top 10,” says Mallory Moss, the cofounder of Baby Names.
Due to this pushback against popular names, being in the top 10 doesn’t mean what it once did. “In 1950, 33 percent of males and 23 percent of females had a top 10 name. In 2010, only 8 percent males and 8 percent of females had a top 10 name,” says Moss. In other words, even if your child has a popular name, she isn’t likely to be one of 10 in her class.
However, there are still quite a few baby names that have become a little overused. “Today, several baby name trends are influencing modern prospective parents, particularly names drawn from colors, locations, trees and flowers,” says Neala Shane, the author of “Inspired Baby Names from Around the World.” She also pegs the media as playing a big role in today’s most overused names. If you’re looking to avoid a worn-out moniker for your little one.
Here are some of today’s most trendy baby names:
- Jacob
Meaning “supplanter,” Jacob comes from the Bible. It has been a top 10 name for over 30 years and has held the number one spot in the Social Security baby names list from 2004 until 2012. Why? It’s simple. “For boys, this decade has shown ongoing love for biblical names,” says Moss.
- Isabella
The Italian version of Elizabeth, Isabella means “pledged to God.” Its popularity (ranking as number one in 2009 and 2010 and currently residing at number four) is due, in part, to the “Twilight” lead character Isabella “Bella” Swan.
- Liam
Meaning “protector,” the name Liam hails from Ireland. According to Moss, another trend has been Irish names on little boys — and Liam is certainly no exception. It currently ranks number two and has been in the top 10 for the past three years.
- Sophia
Greek in origin, the name Sophia means “wisdom.” Its beautiful and classic nature has drawn parents since the early 2000s. The name reigned as number one for three years from 2011 until 2013 and currently ranks as number three.
- Mason
Literally meaning “a worker in stone,” Mason is English in origin. After Kourtney Kardashian chose the name for her son in 2009, it skyrocketed to popularity. It hit the number two spot in 2011 and still remains in the top five.
- Madison
Despite its meaning as “son of Maud,” Madison (an English name) has held a spot in the top 10 names for girls since 1998. Inspired by the 1980s movie “Splash,” the name has been called one of the most hated baby names by the Huffington Post, but still ranks in at number nine.
- Jackson
An English name meaning “son of Jack,” Jackson has shot up the popularity list and now resides at number 17. Its popularity has been catapulted by several celebs who have chosen the name for their little boys, including Carson Daly and Maya Rudolph.
- Emily
Derived from the Latin name “Emil,” Emily means “rival.” It’s classic and has strong literary namesakes, such as Emily Dickinson and Emily Bronte. It reigned as number one on the Social Security names list for a shocking 12 years and still remains at number 7.
- Noah
Another biblical name, Noah means “rest” or “comfort” and reminds parents of the well-known and loved story of Noah building an ark to save Earth’s creatures. The name has hovered around the top 10 since 2000 and has ranked as number 1 in 2013 and 2014.
- Ava
A variation of Eve, Ava has held strong at the top of the baby name list since 2005. Several celebs, such as Hugh Jackman and Eli Manning, helped bring the name out of obscurity by using it for their children, while its classic and flowery nature appeals to non-celebrity parents.
Rebecca Desfosse is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and family topics.
