Free baby name ideas, meanings & origins
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Search 3,000+ names from 102 hand-built lists — popular American picks, timeless classics, names from 18 cultures, and pet names too.
3,000+names with meanings
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Top 10 baby names in the U.S. (2025)
The official ranking from the Social Security Administration, based on Social Security card applications. Source: SSA
Girls
- Oliviaolive tree Latin
- Charlottefree; feminine form of Charles French
- Emmawhole, universal Germanic
- Ameliawork, industrious Germanic
- Sophiawisdom Greek
- Miamine; short form of Maria Scandinavian / Italian
- Isabellapledged to God Hebrew via Spanish
- Evelynfrom the medieval name Aveline English (Norman)
- Sofiawisdom Greek
- Elianamy God has answered Hebrew
Boys
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William Irish
- Noahrest, comfort Hebrew
- Oliverolive tree Latin
- Theodoregift of God Greek
- Henryruler of the home Germanic
- Jamessupplanter; from Jacob Hebrew
- Elijahmy God is Yahweh Hebrew
- Mateogift of God; form of Matthew Spanish
- Williamresolute protector Germanic
- Lucasfrom Lucania; often linked to "light" Latin
Names from around the world
Find inspiration in the names of the people who shaped each culture.
- American Women Men
- Armenian Girls Boys
- Bangladeshi Women Men
- Brazilian Women Men
- British Women Men
- Canadian Women Men
- Chinese Women Men
- French Women Men
- German Women Men
- Indian Women Men
- Indonesian Women Men
- Italian Women Men
- Japanese Women Men
- Mexican Women Men
- Nigerian Women Men
- Pakistani Women Men
- Russian Women Men
- Spanish Women Men
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Quick answers
How do I choose the right baby name?
Start with a long list of names you both like, then narrow it down by saying each one out loud with your last name, checking the initials and likely nicknames, and reading up on the meaning and origin. Many parents live with their top two or three names for a week or two before deciding. Our popular baby names and classic baby names lists are good places to start.
What are the most popular baby names in the U.S. right now?
According to the Social Security Administration, the top names for babies born in 2025 were Olivia and Liam. The rest of the girls' top five were Charlotte, Emma, Amelia, and Sophia; for boys, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, and Henry. The SSA publishes new rankings every May, around Mother's Day.
Where do your name meanings come from?
We use established etymology references, language dictionaries, and cultural sources, and we use official data such as the SSA rankings for popularity. Many names have more than one accepted meaning or origin. When that happens we list the most widely cited one, so treat meanings as a guide rather than a final word.
Does the meaning of a name matter?
It matters to many families, and in some cultures it is central to the choice. Even if meaning isn't your top priority, knowing the story behind a name helps you avoid surprises and gives your child something to be proud of later.