Top Baby Names

  1. Rudy
    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Rudolph
    • Meaning:

      "famous wolf"
    • Description:

      Rudy is one of those names that has been consistently in the US Top 1000 since the early 20th century without ever becoming overwhelmingly popular. It peaked back in the 1930s, when it briefly entered the Top 250, though more recent years have seen it make the latter end of the charts. Certainly more stylish than its parent name, Rudolph, which has been relegated to reindeers in English speaking countries, Rudy was given to 300 boys in a recent year.
  2. Luella
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Louella
    • Meaning:

      "battle famous fairy maiden"
    • Description:

      Luella is a sleeker spelling variant of the girls' name Louella and is now more popular than the original. Sweet, but lively, it was a popular name in the the early 19th century, but fell out of favor in the 50s. Now, after a 60 year absence, it's back in the charts, in the US and the UK.
  3. Jensen
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Jenson and Danish surname
    • Meaning:

      "son of Jens"
    • Description:

      A variation of Jenson, which is actually more popular than the original in the United States. This spelling also holds the distinction of being the most common surname in Denmark.
  4. Sasha
    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      The energetic Russian nickname name Sasha is being used increasingly on its own, though since the prominence of the First Daughter, more than 90% of the American babies named Sasha are girls. Sacha Baron Cohen bears one of the alternate spellings.
  5. Ferris
    • Origin:

      Irish, English
    • Meaning:

      "strong man or ironworker"
    • Description:

      It’s been more than three decades since Ferris Bueller took his famous day off in the cult classic 1986 teen comedy movie, but we think the time for this name could and should be now! Especially with the recent rise of the hero's girlfriend, Sloane, up the baby name rankings. Half preppy, half rugged, it boasts that stylish S ending and has a cozy, retro feel.
  6. India
    • Origin:

      Place name, from the River Indus
    • Description:

      Euphonious and long stylish in England, India was one of the fastest-rising names on the 2013 list, after jumping 240 spots back into the Top 1000.
  7. Smith
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "blacksmith"
    • Description:

      Even if it is the Number one surname in the U.S.--with more than 2.5 million bearers--we still think that Smith would make a cool first or middle name, whether or not it has family history.
  8. Fable
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Inventive name for the child of a writer.
  9. Sirius
    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "burning"
    • Description:

      Yes, it's the name of the brightest star in the sky, but can't you just hear people saying, "Are you serious?" Singer Erykah Badu used it as a middle name for son Seven.
  10. Hero
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "demi-god"
    • Description:

      Though the mythological Hero was female, this name might prove too big a responsibility for a little guy to shoulder.
  11. Sailor
    • Origin:

      Occupational word name
    • Description:

      A word name that has sailed onto birth certificates of both genders, especially since Liv Tyler used it for her son. For boys, Saylor and Sailor are used about equally, but were together given to about 100 baby boys last year....and 1000 baby girls.
  12. Cagney
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "tribute"
    • Description:

      Cagney is one of the spunkiest Irish surnames around, and could make a lively and fresher successor to the tired Casey.
  13. Juno
    • Polaris