And the Most Popular Baby Girl 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 (like Sophia and Sofia) for their popularity tally. This year, Sophie has been declared the most popular name of 2016 for baby girls (although in the South, we might call her by Sophia Grace – we tend to gravitate towards double names).  Find out what other names rose to popularity in 2016. This year, it’s not all about the futuristic baby girl names. Some classic baby names, from the early 1900s to ancient culture, also made the cut. And in the meantime, check out the most popular boy baby names of 2016.

Related: Happy Halloween-Inspired Baby Names

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Sophia

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From the Greek word for "wisdom"

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Emma

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An English name derived from the Old German for “whole” or “universal”

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Olivia

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A feminine form of Oliver, meaning “olive tree”

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Ava

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From Latin “avis,” meaning “bird”; a short form of the name Chava, which means “living one”

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Mia

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Meaning "mine,” or “wished-for child”

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Isabella

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A variation of Elizabeth, meaning “devoted to God” in Hebrew

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Riley

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From the Old English “ryge leah,” meaning “wood clearing”; “valiant”

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Aria

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Italian for “air”; in Hebrew, it is derived from Ariel, meaning “lion of God”

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Zoe

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A Greek name meaning “life”

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Charlotte

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A feminine form of Charles, it means “petite” and “feminine”; a common name for royalty 

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Lily

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From the flower, a symbol of purity in Christianity

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Layla

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Of Egyptian/Arabic origins, it can mean “wine,” “intoxication,” “night,” or “dark beauty”

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Amelia

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In Latin, meaning “industrious” and “striving”

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Emily

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From Latin, meaning “striving” and “eager”

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Madelyn

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Greek for “high tower”

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Aubrey

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From the Germanic name Alberic, king of the elves in German mythology 

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Adalyn

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“Of noble kind”

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Madison

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“Strong fighter” 

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Chloe

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Meaning “blooming” or “young green shoot,” used in Greek to represent Demeter, the fertility goddess 

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Harper

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Originally a last name meaning someone who plays the harp

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Abigail

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In Hebrew, “the Father’s Joy" 

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Aaliyah

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Meaning, “exalted”

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Avery

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Meaning “wise,” “counselor” and “ruling with elf-wisdom”

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Evelyn

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Meaning “life” and “living”

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Kaylee

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Meaning “celebration”

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