Make Custom Gifts - Most Popular Baby Names And Meanings 2020
You’re an expecting parent and you’re probably wondering what the most popular baby names are, so you can be prepared for your little buddy’s arrival.
Some people want their baby to have THE trend name that’s appropriate for their birth decade But others fear choosing a popular name that will have their child being just “one of many”, so opt for something completely unique.
Suzanne and I like the idea of naming my child something really different – after all, giving birth to a little human is something you only do on a few occasions! Whether you’re in the first category or the second, take a look at the most popular baby names and their meanings.
Baby Boy Names 2020
If you’re blessed with having a baby boy this year, you’ll be interested in this collection of universal baby names and unique baby names that are topping the charts. This year’s selection of popular names is a great mix of traditional names like: William James Michael Those baby boy names are mixed in with more esoteric baby names such as: Grayson Mason Logan Braxton Wilder A mix like this makes it easy for everyone to find a name they love, from biblical baby names (Samuel, Isaac, and Noah) to secular baby names (Hunter, Carter) to everything in between.
The most popular boy names and their meanings.
1. Liam
This year, it’s a fight between Noah and Liam for the top spot, but we’re going to give it to Liam. One of the quintessential strong boy names for babies, Liam has been around in the name pool in Ireland since medieval times.
However, in the mid-1850s when the Irish fled the great famine, Liam became more well-known. By 1955 around 2 in every 10,000 boys had the name.
What is the meaning of Liam? As you can see, Liam is short for William. It means “protector” or “strong-willed warrior.” Famous Liam’s you may be familiar with include Liam Hemsworth and Liam Neeson.
We like to call this one of the classic baby boy names with a twist.
2. Noah
Coming on the heels of Liam for popular American baby boy names is Noah, a classic name with a worldly feel.
Noah is Hebrew for “comfort,” or “rest,” and many people associate it with the ark-building Noah of the Christian bible.
Noah’s been a popular moniker since the early 2000’s, but saw a sharp surge in recent years, bringing it into the number two spot on our chart.
Do you know a Noah? Noah Wyle and Noah Emmerich, both TV and film stars in recent years, are good examples of how popular this name has become.
3. Oliver
The meaning of the name Oliver is “olive tree,” which was once a classic name. Now, although it’s very popular at number three, it’s still considered one of the more unusual baby names. It’s also the same meaning of the French name ‘Oliv-i-er’, which Oliver stems from.
Oliver has shown up in historical records (as in Oliver Cromwell, the English political and military leader), in literature (as in Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens’ enduring classic tale), and in entertainment, (as in Oliver Hudson and chef Jaime Oliver).
4. Arthur
While you may typically associate Arthur with old men and royals from the past; most notably King Arthur and his Round Table of Knights, it’s certainly a baby name that has come back around again for 2020.
Arthur comes from the Roman name; Artorius, which means noble and courageous. In recent times, it was also a high contender on the stakes when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were yet to name their newborn children.
5. Alec
If you’re on the lookout for classic baby boy names with a twist, Alec is certainly an option for consideration. Although it’s an old nickname for Alexander, it’s a refreshing approach to the standard shortened nickname of ‘Alex’ and may also be considered a little more masculine, due to ‘Alex’ being used for both males or females.
An alternative and unique baby name spelling for Alec can be Alek.
6. Emmett
The name Emmett originates from Hebrew, German and English origin, with the meaning of ‘universal’ as well as ‘strong’ and ‘powerful’. It’s rooted in the masculine version of Emma and has since grown in popularity since the launch of the Twilight series; due to the inclusion of a character with the same name.
Any way you look at it, these six top boy names have the enduring appeal that makes them a great choice for your new baby boy.
Universal Baby Girl Names 2020
If you’re blessed and expecting a baby girl, then you need to check out the top baby girl names and meanings to see if anything strikes.
This year’s crop of girl baby names is a mix of ultra-unique and traditional. From super feminine choices like:
Isabella
Sophia
Amelia
To more unique choices like:
Lyric
Paisley
Riley
Fans of popular entertainment will see names from Harry Potter (Luna) and Game of Thrones (Arya).
Those who love a global influence will love girl baby names like:
Aaliyah
Niamey
Nevaeh
Mila
Universal baby girls names are often creative and that shows in this year’s list.
You’ve got choices like Serenity, Kinsley, and Everly riding high on popularity, giving new Moms some unique and unusual choices to pick from.
Kinsley is a girl’s name meaning ‘King’s meadow’. Originally from English origin, it bridges the gap between cute and classy and since 2018, has become one of the most popular girl’s names beginning with the letter K.
If you’re not keen on the spelling of a certain baby name, try an alternative. For example, there are several different ways you can spell Kinsley:
Kinslee
Kinnsli
Kinnsly
Kinnsleigh
Kinnslei
For now, let’s dive right in with the top baby girl names and their meanings.
1. Emma
Emma is the perfect mix of classic and popular, having been in a top choice for baby girls’ names since the 19th century.
A romantic English name, Emma comes from Old German origins and it means “universal” or “whole.”
And there are plenty of Emmas you’ll be familiar with — Emma Watson, Emma Stone, and Emma Thompson from contemporary entertainment and Jane Austen’s Emma from literature.
This name has been a front-runner for baby girls for the last four years and will probably continue into the future.
2. Olivia
Going hand-in-hand with the popularity of the boy’s name Oliver, the feminine form of this name, Olivia, is a popular pick for a baby girl.
Based on the same Latin root meaning “olive tree,” Olivia was first on the scene in a Shakespearean play, Twelfth Night.
It makes sense that a lot of prominent entertainers are Olivia’s then, like Olivia Newton-John, Olivia Pope, and Olivia Munn.
Both classic and feminine, Olivia is a lovely choice for any baby girl.
3. Ava
A modern twist on the classic “Eve,” Ava is of classic German origin. Variations of the name show up in languages around the world and it’s relatively popular across the globe as well.
While most believe it comes from the Hebrew “Chava” meaning “life,” some also think it could be from the Latin “avis,” meaning “bird.”
Either way, it’s beautiful, short, and sweet. It’s the perfect easy-to-spell, easy-to-write, and easy-to-pronounce name for your baby girl.
Let’s keep going on the most popular and unique baby names for girls.
4. Charlotte
It’s no surprise that Charlotte has come back into popularity, since the birth of Princess Charlotte; the second daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back in 2015. It is a French name that derives from the meaning of ‘petite’.Initially, I wasn’t sure about the name Charlotte, as it was very common while I was growing up, however it’s certainly come back into fashion again in recent years. After all, if it’s fit for a princess, it’s fit for my baby!
Some of the most well-known Charlottes include the novelist Charlotte Brontë and the famous character in Sex and the City.
5. Luna
The name Luna is of Latin origin, with the meaning of ‘moon’. The Roman Goddess of the same name has a heavenly accompaniment named Sol; the God of the sun.Although the name was significantly popular at the turn of the 20th century, it’s certainly come back into fashion throughout 2020.
The popularity of the name in recent years is no doubt all thanks to the character of Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series; alongside the babies of some of the world’s biggest celebrities, including Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Penelope Cruz and Uma Thurman.
6. Posie
The girl’s name of ‘Posie’ is a gentle old-fashioned flower name that has become a fashionable alternative to other well-known floral names including Poppy, Lily, Marigold and Rose. It was most commonly used as a sweet nickname for Josephine and Sophia, but has now become popular in its own right.