Most Popular Baby Names of 2020

Welcome, Baby Notebook community, to our annual look at the names you loved most in 2020! This year’s list paints a fascinating picture of comfort, tradition, and a few surprising shifts. It’s clear that while we love the familiar, we’re also embracing names with history and strength, giving classic choices a fresh, modern feel.

At the very top, the story is one of enduring appeal. Liam holds strong as the #1 name, a gentle yet sturdy choice that has captured parents’ hearts. On the girls’ side, Charlotte and Olivia are practically neck and neck at #2 and #3, respectively, proving that regal, feminine names are still a dominant force. The rest of the Top 10 is a cozy club of modern classics: Noah, Oliver, Jackson, Emma, Wyatt, Harper, and Hudson all feel both current and timeless, a sweet spot for today’s parents.

While no new names broke into the Top 100 this year, the real story is in the names bubbling just below the surface. We’re seeing a significant surge in what can be called "new traditional" names. For boys, this trend is undeniable with the rise of stately choices like Charles (up 88 spots), Theodore (up 34), and Henry (up 15). Similarly, elegant, substantial names for girls are soaring. Consider the meteoric rise of Gianna, which leaped an incredible 442 spots, and the huge jumps for Audrey (up 303) and Hannah (up 289). These aren't trendy inventions; they are established names being rediscovered by a new generation.

This turn toward the traditional also helps explain some of the names that are cooling off. Once-dominant choices from the 2000s and 2010s, like Madison (down 35), Aiden (down 19), and Isabella (down 30), are beginning to slide. Even creative spellings, which had a major moment, are seeing a decline, with both Jaxon (down 22) and Jaxson (down 29) falling. It seems parents are moving away from names that feel tied to a specific, recent decade in favor of those with deeper roots.

Ultimately, the 2020 data shows a community that values stability and style. You’re choosing names that feel both classic and distinctive, whether it’s a Top 10 favorite like Liam or a fast-rising gem like Eleanor or Ezra. It’s a beautiful reflection of a desire to give our children names that are as strong, graceful, and full of potential as they are.