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

By Anna Aguillard
December 02, 2016
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.
Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Jackson

Credit: mrs/Getty Images

Originally a last name meaning “son of Jack”

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Aiden

Credit: Noah Clayton/Getty

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

3 of 25

Lucas

Credit: getty images

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

Advertisement

4 of 25

Liam

Credit: getty images

Meaning “strong-willed warrior”; “protector”

5 of 25

Noah

Credit: Resolution Productions/Blend Images/Getty

Hebrew name meaning “rest” and “comfort”

6 of 25

Ethan

Credit: Morsa Images/Abel Mitja Varela/Getty Images

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Mason

Credit: Moodboard Stock Photography Ltd./Getty

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

8 of 25

Caden

Credit: getty images

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

9 of 25

Oliver

Credit: Sarah Wolfe Photography/Getty Images

Meaning “olive tree”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Elijah

Credit: Yuji Kotani/Getty

Hebrew for “Yaweh is God”

11 of 25

Grayson

Credit: getty images

Originally a last name meaning “son of a steward”

12 of 25

Jacob

Credit: getty images

Hebrew for "supplanter"

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Michael

Credit: getty images

“Who is like God” in Hebrew

14 of 25

Benjamin

Credit: getty images

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

15 of 25

Carter

Credit: getty images

Traditionally a last name used by a cart driver

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

James

Credit: Mike Kemp/Getty

Derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning “supplanter”

17 of 25

Jayden

Credit: Wavebreak Media LTD/Getty

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

18 of 25

Logan

Credit: Moodboard Stock Photography Ltd./Getty

Scottish in origin, meaning “small hollow”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Alexander

Credit: Plume Creative/Getty

Greek for “defender of men”

20 of 25

Caleb

Credit: Lesley Magno/Getty Images

A symbol of devotion to God in Hebrew

21 of 25

Ryan

Credit: ZoneCreative S.r.l./Getty

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Luke

Credit: baobao ou/Getty

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

23 of 25

Daniel

Credit: Dimitri Otis/Getty

Hebrew meaning “God is my judge”

24 of 25

Jack

Credit: getty images

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

William

Credit: getty images

Old German, meaning “strong-willed warrior”

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Anna Aguillard