And the Most Popular Baby Boy Names of 2016 are...

By Anna Aguillard

Each year, BabyCenter sorts through its huge database of popular baby names for girls and boys, and then combines the most commonly reoccurring names to provide a measure of name popularity. Unlike the official U.S. list, which relies on data straight from the Social Security Administration, BabyCenter combines names that sound the same, but have multiple spellings (Jackson and Jaxon) for their popularity tally. This year, Jackson has been declared the most popular name of 2016 for baby boys, and the South has a few famous Jacksons to claim as our own. Find out what other names rose to popularity in 2016. You can even put two together to create a boy double name, in classic Southern style. This year, it’s not all about the baby names of the future. Some classic baby names, from the early 1900s to ancient culture, also made the cut. And in the meantime, check out the most popular girl baby names for 2016.

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Jackson

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Originally a last name meaning “son of Jack”

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Aiden

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The name of the Celtic sun god, meaning “fiery”

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Lucas

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A form of Luke or Lucius, meaning “light-giving” or “illumination”

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Liam

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Meaning “strong-willed warrior”; “protector”

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Noah

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Hebrew name meaning “rest” and “comfort”

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Ethan

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Hebrew for “strong,” “safe,” and “firm”

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Mason

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Traditionally a French last name, used in the middle ages by stoneworkers

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Caden

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In Arabic, meaning “friend” or “companion.” In Welsh, meaning “spirit of battle”

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Oliver

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Meaning “olive tree” 

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Elijah

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Hebrew for “Yaweh is God”

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Grayson

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Originally a last name meaning “son of a steward”

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Jacob

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Hebrew for "supplanter" 

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Michael

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“Who is like God” in Hebrew

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Benjamin

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Meaning “son of the South” and “son of my old age”

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Carter

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Traditionally a last name used by a cart driver

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James

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Derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning “supplanter”

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Jayden

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A modern name, perhaps a contemporary version of the Hebrew name Jadon, meaning “God has heard”

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Logan

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Scottish in origin, meaning “small hollow”

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Alexander

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Greek for “defender of men”

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Caleb

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A symbol of devotion to God in Hebrew

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Ryan

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A classic Irish last name, meaning “descendent of the king,” or even “little king”

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Luke

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Another form of the name Lucas, meaning “light giving”

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Daniel

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Hebrew meaning “God is my judge”

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Jack

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A nickname for John and James, now a name in its own right. Derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning “supplanter”

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William

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Old German, meaning “strong-willed warrior”

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