As 2016 comes to close, BabyCenter has released its annual list of most popular baby names. Once again, the top five names for boys and are almost exactly the identical to last year’s list ― though Lucas and Liam traded places.
New to the top 10 list for girls are Riley, Aria and Charlotte. For boys, Oliver and Elijah are new additions. BabyCenter’s rankings are based on the names of babies born in 2016 to parents registered on the website.
See the top 20 names for boys and girls below.
Most Popular Names For Girls
- Sophia
- Emma
- Olivia
- Ava
- Mia
- Isabella
- Riley
- Aria
- Zoe
- Charlotte
Most Popular Names For Boys
- Jackson
- Aiden
- Lucas
- Liam
- Noah
- Ethan
- Mason
- Caden
- Oliver
- Elijah
As in past years, BabyCenter also analyzed its user data to identify some interesting name trends of 2016.
Powerful Women
BabyCenter found that names of powerful women are on the rise, with Hillary up 64 percent. Other influential women’s names that increased were Amal (up 21 percent), Venus (up 26 percent), and Ivanka (up 39 percent).
“We’ve been naming boys after titans of politics, sports, and business for thousands of years,” stated BabyCenter Global Editor-in-Chief, Linda Murray. “It’s refreshing to see the names of powerful modern women being chosen by new parents. Today’s parents want their daughters to be strong and successful.”
Horror
“Stranger Things,” “The Walking Dead” and “American Horror Story” character names were also on the rise in 2016, BabyCenter’s report stated. Nancy Wheeler’s first name increased 46 percent. Dustin, Lucas and Joyce also jumped up 32 percent, 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
“Walking Dead” names rose as well, with Carol up 18 percent and Hershel up 37 percent. “American Horror Story” saw similar character influence, boosting Iris up 16 percent, Donovan up 3 percent and Lee up 11 percent.
Luxury Brands
BabyCenter attributes the rise in several baby names to the influence of luxury brands like Cartier (up 77 percent), Dior (up 53 percent), Armani (up 44 percent) and Donatella (up 38 percent).
The name Tesla also rose 18 percent and Lexus jumped up 62 percent.
Small Screen Favorites
Parents’ love for “Game of Thrones” names persists, as alternate Arya spelling, Aria, reached number eight on BabyCenter’s list of popular girls’ names. Arya actress Maisie Williams’ first name leaped up 33 percent. Sansa is up 46 percent and Brienne is up 4 percent.
Other TV name trends BabyCenter noted include the “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” heroine’s name rising 75 percent, “Orange is the New Black” character Daya’s name up 55 percent and the name Sebastian from “House of Cards” is up 20 percent.
STEM Inspiration
BabyCenter also found a rise in “science-y names” like Cloud (up 76 percent) and Rocket (up 24 percent). Famous scientists’ names also increased, with Darwin rising 57 percent, Newton up 44 percent and Edison up 25 percent.
Contemporary tech figures and innovations also influenced the baby naming world, as the name Elon (of Musk fame) is up 41 percent and Cortana (of Microsoft personal assistant fame) is up 36 percent.
Antiheroes
Hulk alter ego Bruce Banner’s last name is apparently on the rise, as BabyCenter noted in 48 percent rise for Banner. Harley Quinn from “Suicide Squad” also may have influenced baby name trends, with Harley up 35 percent, Harleen up 13 percent and Quinn up five percent.
For more information on this report, visit BabyCenter.
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