What Are the Most Popular Gen-Z Names?

The baby name experts at Nameberry have conducted a comprehensive study into the most popular Gen-Z baby names. These appellations were the most popular names given between 1997 to 2012 and they are led by Emily for girls and Jacob for boys. What is fascinating is the level of diversity in these baby names with 70% more names used for Gen-Z babies as compared to Millennial babies. That’s a huge shift in the way new parents approached their children’s names!

The top Gen-Z boy name, Jacob was given to 441,094 baby boys from 1997 to 2012, compared with the Number 1 Millennial boy name Michael, used for 1.1 million baby boys from 1981 to 1996, Nameberry notes. And the Number 1 Gen-Z girl name, Emily was used for only 343,442 Gen-Z girls, compared with Jessica, given to 757,533 Millennial baby girls. You can see from that snapshot alone that there is so much more diversity in the names given to Gen-Z babies. What other Gen-Z baby names were popular? We’ve got the deets from Nameberry to share with you!

The Most Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls

• Emily – A name of Latin origin, meaning “rival”
• Madison – A name of English origin, meaning “son of Matthew”
• Emma – A name of German origin, meaning “universal”
• Hannah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “grace”

Most Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls Continued

• Olivia – A name of Greek and Latin origin, meaning “olive tree”
• Abigail – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “my father is joyful”
• Isabella – A Latinate form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew, meaning “pledged to God”
• Samantha – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “told by God”

Even More Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls

• Elizabeth – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “pledged to God”
• Ashley – A habitational name of English origin, meaning “dweller by the ash trees”
• Alexis – A short form of Alexandra, from Greek, meaning “defending men”
• Sarah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “princess”

Keep Reading for More Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls

• Sophia – A name of Greek origin, meaning “wisdom”
• Alyssa – An English form of Alicia, meaning “noble”
• Taylor – An English occupational name, meaning “tailor”
• Jessica – A name of English origin with an unknown meaning

Rolling Right Along

• Ava – A multicultural name that can mean “life,” “bird,” “island,” and “one”
• Grace – An English virtue name
• Brianna – A form of Brian, of Irish origin, meaning “strong” and “virtuous”
• Lauren – An English form of Laura, meaning “bay laurel”

Next, Up Kayla and Chloe

• Kayla – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “laurel” and “crown”
• Chloe – A name of Greek origin, meaning “young, green shoot”
• Victoria – A name of Latin origin, meaning “victory”
• Natalie – A French form of the Russian name, Natalia, meaning “Christmas”

Even More of the Most Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls

• Anna – A short form of Hannah, from Hebrew, meaning “grace”
• Mia – An Italian name, meaning “mine”
• Jasmine – A name of Persian origin with a clear meaning
• Hailey – A name of English and Scottish origin, meaning “Hay’s meadow”

Sydney and Rachel Are Up Next

• Sydney – A name of French origin, meaning “Saint Denis”
• Rachel – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “ewe wood”
• Megan – A Welsh form of Margaret, meaning “pearl”
• Morgan – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born”

Most Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls

• Julia – A name of Latin origin, meaning “youthful”
• Destiny – An. English virtue name
• Jennifer – A Cornish variation of the Welsh name, Guinevere, meaning “white shadow”
• Katherine – A name of Greek origin, meaning “pure”

More Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls

• Savannah – A name of Spanish origin and reference to a “flat, tropical grassland”
• Allison – A Scottish form of Alice, meaning “noble”
• Kaitlyn – An Irish form of Katherine, meaning “pure”
• Ella – A name of English and German origin, meaning “completely” or “fairy maiden”

Alexandra and Nicole Made the List!

• Alexandra – A name of Greek origin, meaning “defending men”
• Nicole – A French form of Nichola, meaning “people of victory”
• Maria – A Latinate form of Mary, meaning “bitter”
• Haley – A name of Scottish and English origin, meaning “Hay’s meadow”

Final Popular Gen-Z Names for Girls

• Kaylee – An American-invented form of Kayla, meaning “laurel” and “crown”
• Lily – An English flower name
• Brooke – An English habitational name, meaning “dweller by the brook”
• Amanda – A name of Latin origin, meaning “lovely”

Top Gen-Z Names For Boys

• Jacob – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “supplanter”
• Michael – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “who is like God?”
• Joshua – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “the Lord is my salvation”
• Matthew – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “gift of God”

More Gen-Z Names For Boys

• Christopher – A name of Latin origin, meaning “follower of Christ”
• Daniel – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my judge”
• Andrew – A name of Greek origin, meaning “strong and manly”
• Jospeh – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Jehovah increases”

Popular Gen-Z Names For Boys Include Nicholas and Ethan

• William – A name of English and German origin, meaning “resolute protector”
• Anthony – A name of Greek origin, meaning “of Antium”
• Nicholas – A name of Greek origin, meaning “people of victory”
• Ethan – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “strong”

Rolling Right Along with Gen-Z Names For Boys

• David – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “beloved”
• Alexander – A name of Greek origin, meaning “defending men”
• Ryan – A name of Irish origin, meaning “little king”
• Tyler – An English occupational name, meaning “maker of tiles”

James and John Made the List

• James – A name of English and Hebrew origin, meaning “supplanter”
• John – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is gracious”
• Brandon – A name of English origin, meaning “broom-covered hill”
• Noah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “rest”

More Popular Gen-Z Names For Boys

• Jonathan – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “gift of Jehovah”
• Zachary – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “the Lord has remembered”
• Christian – A name of Greek origin, meaning “a Christian”
• Benjamin – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “son of the right hand”

These Gen-Z Names For Boys Were All the Rage

• Samuel – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “told by God”
• Dylan – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “son of the sea”
• Austin – An English, short form of Augustine, meaning “greatest”
• Nathan – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning

Favorite Logan and Justin Up Next

• Logan – A name of Scottish origin, meaning “little hollow”
• Justin – A name of Latin origin, meaning “fair”
• Gabriel – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my strength”
• Robert – An English name of German origin, meaning “bright fame”

More Gen-Z Names For Boys

• Jose – A Latinate form of Joseph, meaning “Jehovah increases”
• Elijah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Yahweh is God”
• Kevin – A name of Irish origin, meaning “handsome”
• Jordan – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “flowing down”

Rolling Right Along

• Caleb – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “devotion to God”
• Thomas – A name of Aramaic origin, meaning “twin”
• Mason – An English occupational name
• Cameron – A name of Scottish origin, meaning “crooked nose”

Even More Popular Gen-Z Names For Boys

• Hunter – An English occupational name
• Jackson – A name of English origin, meaning “son of Jack”
• Jayden – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “thankful”
• Aaron – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “high mountain” and “exalted”

Final Gen-Z Names For Boys

• Jack – An English form of John, meaning “God is gracious”
• Isaiah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Salvation of the Lord”
• Evan – A Welsh form of John, meaning “God is gracious”
• Isaac – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “laughter”

There you go! What did you think of these Gen-Z baby names? Most of them are evergreen but it is exciting to see all of these popular names in one place! If you’d like to learn about more names popular in other generations, check out these popular Victorian-Era names!

Victorian-Era Names for Girls

Rosina

Hypnotism, divination, and spiritualism were huge in the Victorian Era. Rosina Thompson was a famous medium back in the day in England and was popular for her trance “mediumship.” The name Rosina means “rose” and has Italian origins.

Adelia

We told you that the Victorian Era brought many flower-inspired names! Adelia refers to a genus of flowering plants. The name Adelia, however, comes from German and shares the same root as the name, Albert. Adelia Cleopatra Graves was a Victorian Era academic and poet in the US. Most people know her by her pen name, “Aunt Alice.” Her poetry and books appealed to children interested in learning new languages and different cultures.

Gwendoline

The names Gwendoline or Gwendolen only came into common use in the 19th Century. The name hails from Wales and means “fair” or “blessed.” Many people associate the name with the mythical queen of the Britons who spelled it Guendoloena. Welsh painter Gwendolen John preferred to go by “Gwen” was a Victorian Era painter who was overlooked at the time but art historians today consider a formidable portraitist.

Phoebe

Phoebe comes from Ancient Greek and means is the feminine form of Phoebus. The name means “bright.” Gilbert and Sullivan were all the rage in the Victorian Era creating classic comic operas like The Pirates of Penzance. In 1888, the duo released their 11th opera, The Yeomen of the Guard that featured the character, Phoebe Meryll.

Constance

As you might have guessed, the name Constance means “constant” and it’s the name Connie came from. Constance Georgine Markievicz was an Irish woman who blazed a trail in the Victorian Era and would eventually become the first woman ever elected to the Westminster Parliament.

Sylvia

Probably the name with the best meaning on this list, Sylvia is Latin and means “spirit of the wood.” At the end of the Victorian Era, Sylvia was the 137th most popular girl’s name in Britain.

Flora

We weren’t joking about the flowery names! Flora was one of the most popular names of the Victorian Era and means “flower.” A famous Victorian with the name was Flora Stevenson who became one of the first, if not, the first woman elected to a school board. She fought tirelessly for education to be expanded to the poor and also advocated for women’s inclusion in all school settings.

Mercy

The name Mercy means so many things to so many people and that’s why the name became popular in Victorian times. The name can mean “forgiveness,” “thanks,” or “blessing.” This is another name that fell out of fashion in the Victorian Era but became popular again. By the 1970s, the name was extremely popular in the US.

Violet

Violet is a name for girls that’s also shared with pretty purple flowers. Violet was one of the most popular names given to girls in the late Victorian Era. Born right at the end of the era in 1899, Violet Wood became a British supercentenarian who lived for 112 years. She spanned the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.

Amelia

Amelia comes from the Old German word “amal” which means “to work.” Amelia Bloomer was an American women’s rights advocate who operated during the time. Victorian fashion was brutal for women and entailed the wearing of corsets, skirts, and dresses. It was not acceptable for a woman to wear pants. “Bloomers” got their name from Amelia Bloomer’s tireless advocacy.

Freda

Freda, Frida, Frieda, and Frinta are all different spellings of this popular name. The name is German and means “peace.” Freda Dudley Ward was an English socialite best known for being a married paramour of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII. It was a poorly kept secret in aristocratic circles. Edward VIII’s father Edward VII became king after Queen Victoria’s death.

Selina

Selina is a Greek name that means “moon.” In Australia, there was a gold rush in 1850 that brought many new faces to the country. English culture, of course, played a huge role in Australian society at the time as it still does to this day. The name Selina took off in Australia after political activist Selina Siggins popularized the name by running for a spot in the Australian House of Representatives in the late Victorian Era.

Victoria

We could not talk about Victorian names without discussing the name that defined the era, Victoria. In Roman mythology, the goddess of victory was named Victoria. Before the current Queen, Victoria was the longest-ruling monarch to ever wear the British crown.

Olive

Olive is such a special name for a baby girl. This English name refers to an olive tree which is a symbol of peace and success. Olivia is a popular form of the name that has, since the Victorian Era, been the more popular of the two.

Cora

The name Cora comes from Greek and was Persephone’s maiden name. Hence, the name means “maiden.” As we mentioned, spiritualism, mediums, and seances were very common in the Victorian Era. Cora L. V. Scott was one of the best-known mediums of the late 19th Century. She was so popular, in fact, that she was invited to London to give a speed at Cleaveland Hall. Cora is a beautiful name that we wish would make a comeback.

Victorian-Era Baby Names for Boys

Silas

The name Silas comes from the Latin name Silvanus and both Silas and Silvanus are names used in the Bible. Commonly shortened to Sy or Si, the name has some flexibility. It means “forest” and for nature lovers who don’t want to seem too granola, the name is perfect.

Albert

Prince Albert was Queen Victoria’s husband and was seen as very progressive at the time. He worked to abolish slavery around the world and also changed University Cambridge’s curricula to be more inclusive and modern. For parents who love science or art, you could do no better than choosing the name, Albert. The name comes from Old German Adalbert and means “noble” and “bright.”

Rufus

The name Rufus really took off in the US in the Victorian Era but before that, the name was popularized by King William II who was called the name because of his red hair. The name is Roman/Latin and does indeed mean “red-headed.”

Miles

In Latin, the word “miles” means soldier, and many knights through the Medieval era were also referred to as “miles.” The name Miles means “merciful soldier.” Miles has ticked up in popularity in the US after Chrissy Teigen gave her son the name.

Valentine

Valentine is a unisex name that’s popular for both girls and boys now. During the Victorian Era, the name was more commonly given to baby boys. The name’s origin is Latin and means “strong.”

Felix

Felix is a popular name across Europe today and was way back in the Victorian Era. The name is Latin and means “lucky” or “happy.” Felix Mendelssohn was a world-renowned German composer in the early Victorian Era who gave us the melody to the Christmas carol, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Cecil

Cecil is a popular English name that comes from Latin and means “blind.” This beautiful name belonged to Victorian British Imperialist Cecil Rhodes who mined across Africa. The African territory Rhodesia was named for him and the Rhodes Scholarship is a result of a fund started by his family.

Bernard

The name Bernard has a fantastic meaning, “brave bear.” The name comes from German and the French form and spelling became popular in English speaking regions. The name fell out of fashion by the end of the Victorian Era in the UK but became extremely popular in the mid 20th Century in the US.

Eustace

The funny-sounding name Eustace was very popular among Victorians and many gave their baby boys the name. The name means “fruitful” and belonged to everyone from saints to politicians. Lord Eustace Cecil was a British nobleman and politician who published Impressions of Life at home and abroad in 1865 which detailed his experiences traveling the world.

Vincent

The name Vincent is derived from Latin and means “conqueror.” Vincent is often shortened to “Vince” and it was a very popular nickname in the Victorian Era. Post-impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh was considered a madman and a failure during is life from 1853-1890. Although Victorian times were not too kind to him, later generations would go on to treasure his art.

Simeon

The name Simeon comes from Hebrew and means “obedient.” If Simon is a bit bland for your tastes take inspiration from the Victorian Era and choose the name Simeon for your baby boy.

Nigel

The name Nigel is a very English name that was popular in the Middle Ages. It fell out of fashion until the Victorian Era when antiquarians repopularized it. The name means “champion.” Nigel has never been as common in other countries but was among the 1,000 most common names for boys born in the United States from 1971 to 2010.

Llewellyn

Llywelyn is a Welsh name that’s spelled a few different ways. The name means “lion” or “leader” Many Victorians favored the old name over the newly used Lewis.

Duncan

Duncan is the anglicized version of the Gaelic name Donnchadh. The name means “chief.” In the UK, a common nickname for a Duncan is Dun. This handsome name would be a great one for your little leader.

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Basil

Please name your son Basil. It’s an incredible name that you don’t hear much anymore. Basil is a Greek name that means “king” and shares the same root as words like basilica and basilisk. Basil Mott was a cherished Basil in the Victorian Era. He was a civil engineer that helped extend the Central London Railway and was later became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which was a rare honor for engineers.

We love these Victorian-inspired baby names and hope that you might consider one of them for your baby. From Albert to Victoria, many of these names carry a sense of romanticism that was celebrated at the time. If you are still interested in learning about baby names from the past, keep reading. We have forgotten Depression-era baby names to share with you!