Expecting · Baby Names
Names we love.
Olivia and Liam are still on top, Charlotte climbed to number two, and a sweet new name joined the top 10. Here's a joyful look at America's favorite names, and simple ways to find the one that's hers.
You're curled up on the couch with a list on your phone, and you whisper a name to yourself just to hear how it sounds. Then you say it again, a little louder, and picture calling it across a park, writing it on a birthday cake, saying it softly at bedtime. Somewhere in that moment, a name starts to feel like a person.
Choosing a name is one of the first gifts you'll give her, and one of the most fun. Every spring, Social Security shares the most popular baby names in the country, released each year in honor of Mother's Day. The newest list, for babies born in 2025, came out on May 8, 2026. It's a lovely place to start dreaming.
The top 10 of 2025
Olivia and Liam are America's favorite names for the seventh year in a row. Here's the full top 10.
- Girls. Olivia, Charlotte, Emma, Amelia, Sophia, Mia, Isabella, Evelyn, Sofia and Eliana.
- Boys. Liam, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, Henry, James, Elijah, Mateo, William and Lucas.
On the girls' side, there was real movement this year. Charlotte climbed to second place, ending Emma's six-year run in the runner-up spot. And Ava, a top-10 favorite for years, dropped off the list entirely. Taking her place is Eliana, which debuted at number 10.
The names on the rise
Some of the most delightful finds are the names climbing fast. The boys' name Kasai, which means "fire" in Japanese and Swahili, jumped 1,108 spots to enter the top 1,000 for the first time, landing at 639.
For girls, Klarity led all the risers. It's a modern spelling of "clarity," a name full of brightness and light.
Here are the five fastest-rising names for each:
- Girls. Klarity, Rynlee, Ailanny, Naylani and Madisson.
- Boys. Kasai, Akari, Eziah, Jasai and Neithan.
Whether you love a classic that's been on the list for generations or something fresh that's just arriving, there's no wrong kind of name. Popular names feel warm and familiar. Rare ones feel one of a kind. Both can be perfect.
Say it out loud
A name lives in the air as much as on paper. Say it the way you'll actually use it: calling her in for dinner, cheering at a recital, whispering "good morning, sweet girl." Pair it with her middle name and last name and listen to the rhythm. Some combinations flow like a song. Others feel like a little tongue twister, and that's good to know now.
Try the nickname test, too. Think about the short versions friends might use, and whether you love those as much as the full name.
Little things worth checking
- Initials. Write out her first, middle and last initials together. It's a quick way to catch any accidental words before they're stitched on a backpack.
- Spelling. Notice how easy it is to spell and say. A unique spelling can be beautiful. Just know she may be spelling it for people now and then.
- Meaning. Look up where the name comes from and what it means. A meaning that touches your heart can make a name feel even more right.
- Popularity. If you'd love to know how often you'll hear it on the playground, look it up. Social Security's full database lets you search a name's popularity by year, going back to 1880, and by state.
Honoring the people you love
Family names carry a special kind of magic. A grandmother's first name, a beloved aunt's middle name, a name from your family's language or homeland: each one ties her to the people who came before her.
There are lots of gentle ways to honor someone. You might use a family name as her middle name, choose a name with the same first letter or meaning, or blend two names into something new. However you do it, it becomes part of her story, one you'll get to tell her when she's older.
Choosing together
If you're naming her with a partner, make it a game, not a debate. Each of you can keep a private list, then swap and circle the ones you both love. Give every name on your shortlist a few days to settle. Try one out for a week, using it when you talk to your bump. And remember, a gentle "not for me" is always allowed. The right name is one you both light up hearing.
When it just feels right
Some parents know her name the moment they find it. Others go into the hospital with two or three favorites and decide once they see her face. Both are wonderful. There's no deadline on falling in love with a name.
The first time you say it to her
One day soon, you'll hold her close and say her name to her for the very first time. It might come out as a whisper or a happy laugh. Either way, it will sound brand new, because now it's hers.
Happy naming, Mama. Whatever you choose, it will be the sweetest word you know.
Where this comes from
This article draws on guidance from trusted medical sources. It's here to help, not to replace your own doctor, midwife or pediatrician. If you have questions, ask them.
- Olivia and Liam Top America's Most Popular Baby Names for the Seventh Straight Year, Social Security Administration