We’ll have to wait for months for the Social Security Administration to release its finding on baby naming data. It wasn’t until September of this year that they released their statistics on babies born in 2019. That doesn’t mean we are completely in the dark about baby naming trends in 2020. Luckily, the folks at BabyNames.com, one of the largest baby name databases, track what names are currently popular.
According to their website, BabyNames.com compiles the favorite lists of expecting parents which turns out to be an excellent indicator, and more often than not, a predictor of the most popular names for babies in 2020. Are you curious as to what new parents are naming their baby boys this year? Here are the 25 most popular baby names of 2020. It’s unofficial but it’s rarely wrong!
25. Felix
Is the name Felix be more popular than ever this year? Baby Names seems to think so! This name is prevalent in Spanish-speaking families today, and perhaps we have them to thank for its rise in 2020. Felix has Latin origins and means “fortunate.”
24. Everett
Everett was most popular over a century ago in the US and BN predicts that it just might best its previous favor in 2020. Everett is a handsome English name with German origins that means “brave as a wild boar.” We’re not entirely sure if that’s an attribute or not, but Everett’s appeal extends beyond its strange meaning.
23. Miles / Myles
“Rankings combine the stats for different spellings of the same name, for example, Aidan and Aiden,” the database’s website says. This is a different methodology than what the SSA uses to tabulate names. That means that Miles and Myles, two different spellings of the same name, combine to make it into the top 25 this year!
Miles is the English form of Milo a name that means “soldier.” We’re excited to hear even more of this attractive moniker.
22. Emmett
Emmett originated in England as a masculine diminutive of the German Emma (which means “universal”); the Hebrew characters pronounced eh-MEHT mean “truth,” so that might be considered another definition. Unfortunately, this handsome name is trending down. However, it’s still very popular and a great pick.
21. Jackson / Jaxon
Both spellings of this name are in the SSA’s top 50. That means, that this name is actually more popular than we think. This beautiful name is expected to stay strong as there’s been no net gain or loss this year according to BN. Jackson is an English surname invention that means “son of Jack.”
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20. Lucas / Lukas
Lucas is the preferred spelling of this name and makes the top ten for boys. However, when averaged with the alternative spelling Lukas, it drops to the twentieth spot. BN expects this common name to hold steady or perhaps gain a rank or two. It’s the Latin form of Luke and means “man from Lucania.”
19. Jasper
Expect to hear a lot more of the name Jasper in the coming years because it is rapidly climbing. This Persian stunner means “bringer of treasure” and is associated with the Three Wise Men of the Bible. A perfect name for a Christmas baby! If BN’s prediction proves true, Jasper will become more popular in the US than ever before this year.
18. Levi
Levi is set to remain in the top 25 most popular names for boys in 2020. However, BN notes that the energy behind it might be starting to slump. Levi is one of our very favorite Hebrew names that means “joined.” We’re excited to see where this time-tested name lands on the charts.
17. Leo
Another L-name that shows sign of slippage is Leo. The name might have peaked for new parents last year, but only time will tell. Leo is a splendid name that has origins in both Latin and German and means “lion.”
16. Sebastian
Sebastian reentered the top 25 in 2016 and it appears that its appeal is only increasing. It’s slated to be even more popular among new parents this year. This moniker is an absolute blast to say and has Latin or Greek origins and means “man from Sebestia.” Bring on the Bastians!
15. Greyson / Grayson
Greyson is the more popular spelling of this English name that means “son of a steward.” The name only emerged as a popular option in 1995 and all signs are pointing to the name beginning to fade a touch this year.
14. Alexander
Expect to see Alexander dip a spot or two this year as parents are moving to more casual-sounding names. Of course, Alexander gives the nickname Alex, which also appears in the top 200. Alexander is as old as Greece and means “defender of men.”
13. Caleb
Caleb is a name for boys that’s steadily climbed since the seventies, but it’s expected to slightly fall this year. The Hebrew name means “devotion to God.” It will still be more popular than it was 100 years ago!
12. Owen
Owen is a pleasant Welsh classic that means “young warrior.” Owen is slated to remain in the top 25 but it might slide down the charts by a spot or two. We hope parents continue to choose this name, however, because it’s a winner through and through.
11. Henry
Henry has been in the very top since records of baby naming have been kept in the US. This very old German name means “estate ruler.” We don’t expect this name to stray far from the top ten as it’s a popular family name. But, it just might be overtaken in favor by Elijah.
10. Elijah
Elijah is a red-hot name and BN is certain it will land in the top ten, if not improving its standing. Elijah is one of the most pleasant names on the planet and has Hebrew origins. It means “Yahweh is God.” The passing of the Civil Rights hero and Congressman, Elijah Cummings, in 2019 will only lift this name higher as parents will want to honor his incredible legacy.
9. Finn / Fynn
Finn is a boy’s name of Irish origin meaning “fair or white.” This name has only been popular as a given one in the US since 2000. It’s worked well for many parents, but BN thinks its novelty is beginning to fade.
8. Gabriel
Gabriel presents the biggest surprise on the list as it’s expected to climb about twenty spots this year into the top 25. If that occurs, this name would be more popular in the US than ever before. This charming Hebrew name means “God is my strength.”
7. Declan
Declan’s meteoric rise in the early aughts might be coming to an end. The folks at BN expect Declan to decline this year. The interest in this Irish name is still vast, but it’s just not landing on everyone’s favorites list this year. The name likely means “man of prayer.”
6. Benjamin
Americans can’t get enough of the name Benjamin and there’s no mystery as to why! This handsome classic has been in the top ever since the data’s been collected. The last two years have seen Benjamin as a name that’s more popular than ever before here and expect that trend to hold. Benjamin is a Hebrew name that means “son of the right hand.”
5. Aiden / Aidan
Aiden has slipped a couple of spots on the popularity charts over the last couple of years, but BN expects a reverse for it. Aiden is a form of the Irish name Aidan which means “little and fiery.” With the popularity of Kaiden, Jaiden, Caiden, Raiden, etc. expect to hear it and similar for decades to come.
4. Ethan
Ethan derives from the Hebrew name Eitan which means “strong.” The name has taken a roller coster ride on the charts through the years, but since the sixties it’s become a reliable choice. Parents are expected to thrust this name back into the top 10 in 2020. We would not blame them!
3. Theodore
Remaining in the top 500 for nearly two centuries, Theodore proves a steadfast pick. BN predicts that this name is going to be bigger than ever before in 2020. We’re so excited as we love the nicknames Ted and Teddy. Theodore has Greek origins and means “gift of God.”
2. Liam
Liam other names have been battling for first place for the last couple of years and in 2018 and 2019, Liam clenched the top spot. It’s still expected to be popular, of course, but it will play second fiddle. Liam is a shortened Irish form of William and means “resolute protector.”
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1. Oliver
The Latin name for boys that means “olive tree” will take the lead in 2020. It’s already more popular than ever before here so it will be exciting for it to become the number one name for boys for the first time! We hope this prediction comes true as this is one of the very best names ever!
There you go! The top 25 baby boys of 2020 according to Baby Names. What do you think of these predictions? You really can’t argue with any of these names as they’re all wonderful options. The only question for parents to ponder is whether they want their son to have one of these wildly popular ones or buck the trend and try something completely different.