Vintage boy names
From old Dutch and Hebrew to exciting new-age variations, these rare names are for the parent looking to break out of the mold.
Names meaning "second chance"
30 "Old lady" baby names making a comeback
The #1 most popular name depends on the region and year, but globally, Muhammad is often cited as the most common male name, while in recent years for newborns in places like the US, UK, and Australia, Olivia (girls) and Noah or Oliver (boys) consistently rank at the top.
Baby Name Extinction Trends 🦖
7 rare female names in the U.S.
Renaissance - This French-origin name literally means "rebirth" and symbolizes cultural revival and artistic flourishing. Atreus - A powerful Greek name meaning "father of rebirth," associated with strength and the ability to overcome challenges.
Sol: A Hebrew and Latin name meaning 'peace, sun'. Starr: An English name meaning star. Vega: An Arabic name meaning 'falling star'.
In the U.S., parents can get wildly creative with baby names, but 11 have been officially ruled off-limits by courts. These banned names include King, Queen, Jesus Christ, III, Santa Claus, Majesty, Adolf Hitler, Nutella, Messiah, @, and 1069.
BabyCenter's new report reveals names in decline for 2025, including royal names like Catherine and popular '80s and '90s names like Jamie. Boy names like Jaden, Phillip, and Albert are seeing steep drops, while girl names like Erin, Kendra, and Alexis are also fading.
The number one girl name varies by location and year, but Olivia, Charlotte, and Amelia are consistently at the top in the U.S. and Australia for recent years, while Isla and Evelyn have claimed the top spots in other regions like the UK and Canberra for 2025 data.
Top 1,000 most popular baby girl names
There aren't any federal laws that make certain names illegal across the entire US, but that doesn't mean that there aren't rules for naming a baby. Each US state has its own guidelines on what is or isn't allowed, and the state's computer system (and the characters it recognizes) plays a big role.
Names like Abigail ('my father is joy'), Dorothy ('gift of God') and Edith ('fortune') offer timeless charm and strong historical roots. Elegant and enduring. Vintage choices such as Mabel ('lovable'), Irene ('peace') and Gertrude ('spear of strength') feel classic yet distinctive today. Perfect for revival.
Rare Baby Boy Names
Gigi name meaning and origin
The repetitive syllable pattern is characteristic of hypocoristic or pet names in various Romance languages. Etymologically, when derived from names like Georgina or Georgia, Gigi connects to the Greek 'georgos,' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.
Girl names meaning "first born"
Pretty girl names often blend classic elegance with modern softness, featuring popular choices like Olivia, Amelia, Charlotte, Sophia, and Ava, alongside romantic and whimsical options such as Aurora, Isla, Willow, Luna, and Aria, with many finding beauty in vintage revivals like Eloise, Violet, and Florence.
The name Fancy is a distinctly American female name that has maintained a rare status throughout recorded naming history. While it appears in US naming records, it has never ranked among the top names in any given year, highlighting its uncommon nature.
Girl names at risk of going extinct
Jamie (down 320) Katie (down 290) Remy (down 277) Liv (down 257)
Kushim (Sumerian: 𒆪𒋆 KU. ŠIM; fl. c. 3200 BC) is supposedly the earliest-known recorded name of a person in writing.