The Top Twenty Baby Names Throughout The Last Three Decades

Trish
December 9, 2018

Is it surprising to you that certain popular baby names have steadily held the test of time? Names like Michael, Jacob, Christopher, and Joshua have consistently been favorites for little baby boys. How many Michaels do you know? You know a ton because that name was number one for 44 years out of the last 100!

Popular baby girl names that have held the top spots have been names like Emily, Emma, and Olivia.

The most popular baby names of 2018 haven't been released yet so we can't speak to those yet. But the most popular names of the 2010s are pretty consistent.

Check these lists out and comment with any you have used, or better yet, are considering using.

Anyone carrying a Michael Jr or an Emily?

Why I am here and who I am:

Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society, a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey!

We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them. Click here for our full disclosure. Thank you!

The most popular baby names for Boys in the 90's:

Michael

~ means who is like God

Christopher 

~ means Bearer of Christ 

Matthew 

~ means Gift from God

Joshua 

~ means Jehovah is Generous

Jacob 

~ means supplanter 

Nicholas 

~ means Victory of people

Andrew 

~ means manly, masculine

    Daniel 

    ~ means God is my judge

    Tyler 

    ~ means tile maker

    Joseph

    ~ means may Jehovah give increase 

    Brandon 

    ~ means hill covered with broom

    William 

    ~ means resolute protector

    Anthony 

    ~ means highly praiseworthy

    David 

    ~ means beloved

    Alexander

    ~ means defender of men

    Nicholas 

    ~ means Victory of people

    Ryan 

    ~ means little king

    Tyler 

    ~ means tile maker

    James 

    ~ means also means supplanter

    John 

    ~ means Jehovah has been gracious

    Jonathan

    ~ Jehovah has given

    Noah

    ~ means rest, repose

    You should check this baby boy name list out: 20 Unique Baby Boy Names for the Millennial Mom

    The Most Popular Baby Girl names during the 2000s:

    Emily 

    ~ means Industrious; striving

    Madison

    ~ means gift of God

    Emma

    ~ means whole or universal 

    Olivia

    ~ means Olive branch 

    Hannah 

    ~ means favor, grace 

    Abigail

    ~ means Father rejoiced, or father's joy 

    Isabella

    ~ means devoted to God

    Samantha 

    ~ means God Heard 

    Elizabeth 

    ~ means the oath of God or God is satisfaction 

    Ashley

    ~ means Lives in the ash tree grove 

    Alexis

    ~ means helper 

    Sarah 

    ~ means Princess 

    Sophia

    ~ means wisdom

    Alyssa

    ~ means logical or rational

    Grace

    ~ means simple elegance or refinement of movement

    Ava

    ~ means bird, life

    Taylor

    ~ means tailor

    Brianna

    ~ means Strong

    Lauren

    ~ means from the place of laurel trees

    Chloe

    ~ means blooming

    The Most Popular Baby Boy names during the 2010s:
    Noah 

    ~ means rest, repose

    Jacob 

    ~ means supplanter

    Mason

    ~ means one who works with stone 

    Liam

    ~ means helmet of will 

    William 

    ~ means resolute protector

    Ethan 

    ~ means firm, strong, and long-lived

    Michael 

    ~ means who is like God

    Alexander

    ~ means defender of men

    James 

    ~ means supplanter 

    Daniel 

    ~ means God is my judge

    Elijah

    ~ means My God is Yahweh

    Aiden

    ~ means little fire

    Jayden

    ~ means thankful

    Benjamin

    ~ means Son of my right hand

    Matthew

    ~ means gift from God

    Logan

    ~ means hollow

    David 

    ~ means beloved

    Joseph 

    ~ means may Jehovah give an increase

    Anthony 

    ~ means highly praiseworthy

    Jackson

    ~ means God has been gracious

    If you are looking for a list of unique strong boy names read this list: French Baby Boy Names Millenial Moms will Cherish

    The Most Popular Baby Girl names during the 2010s:
    Emma

    ~ means whole or universal

    Sophia

    ~ means wisdom 

    Olivia

    ~ means an olive branch

    Isabella

    ~ means devoted to God

    Ava

    ~ means bird, life 

    Mia

    ~ means mine or wished for child

    Emily 

    ~ means Industrious; striving

    Abigail

    ~ means Father rejoiced, or father's joy

    Madison

    ~ means gift of God

    Elizabeth 

    ~ means the oath of God or God is satisfaction

    Charlotte

    ~ means free man

    Chloe

    ~ means blooming

    Ella

    ~ means light, a beautiful fairy woman

    Amelia

    ~ means work

    Avery

    ~ means wise

    Sofia

    ~ means wisdom, skill

    Evelyn

    ~ means beauty, radiance, hazelnut

    Harper

    ~ means someone who plays the harp

    Addison

    ~ means son of Adam

    Grace

    ~ means simple elegance or refinement of movement

    Another sweet list of baby girl names: French Baby Girl Names that Steal your Heart

    I hope you had as much fun reading these popular baby names throughout the last few decades. I was really surprised how many have held the test of time.

    Which names have threaded themselves through your family history? Share them with us and tell us your stories!

    As always, we are super stoked about Pregnancy, Birth, and beyond. Our blog has a wealth of insider tips from your friendly neighborhood labor nurse! Yep, that's me.

    trish's signature from habibi house

    Just a little Disclaimer: As always, I am just writing my thoughts and what I’ve learned along the way. Although I am in fact a labor and delivery RN, This is not medical advice. You should always seek and follow the advice of your care provider.

    This post may contain some affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Thank you! For our full disclosure read here)

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