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

By Anna Aguillard
Credit: getty images
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
Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Sophia

Credit: Kirichenko/Getty Images

From the Greek word for "wisdom"

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Emma

Credit: getty images

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

3 of 25

Olivia

Credit: getty images

A feminine form of Oliver, meaning “olive tree”

Advertisement

4 of 25

Ava

Credit: getty images

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

5 of 25

Mia

Credit: getty images

Meaning "mine,” or “wished-for child”

6 of 25

Isabella

Credit: getty images

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Riley

Credit: getty images

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

8 of 25

Aria

Credit: getty images

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

9 of 25

Zoe

Credit: Matthew Wreford/Slugs and Snails Photography/Getty Images

A Greek name meaning “life”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Charlotte

Credit: getty images

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

11 of 25

Lily

Credit: getty images

From the flower, a symbol of purity in Christianity

12 of 25

Layla

Credit: getty images

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Amelia

Credit: Daniela Solomon/Getty Images

In Latin, meaning “industrious” and “striving”

14 of 25

Emily

Credit: getty images

From Latin, meaning “striving” and “eager”

15 of 25

Madelyn

Credit: getty images

Greek for “high tower”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Aubrey

Credit: getty images

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

17 of 25

Adalyn

Credit: getty images

“Of noble kind”

18 of 25

Madison

Credit: getty images

“Strong fighter”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Chloe

Credit: getty images

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

20 of 25

Harper

Credit: getty images

Originally a last name meaning someone who plays the harp

21 of 25

Abigail

Credit: getty images

In Hebrew, “the Father’s Joy"

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Aaliyah

Credit: getty images

Meaning, “exalted”

23 of 25

Avery

Credit: getty images

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

24 of 25

Evelyn

Credit: getty images

Meaning “life” and “living”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Kaylee

Credit: getty images

Meaning “celebration”

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Anna Aguillard