FastNamesBaby names: meanings, origins and popularity
Every name tells a story. Look up researched etymologies, cultural lineages, and complete Social Security popularity charts tracing back to 1880.
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Published name dossiers
Each published name carries verified historical citations, root etymology, and full demographic tracking.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Rank (2025) | US Births |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander | Greek | Derived from Greek Alexandros (Ἀλέξανδρος), meaning 'defender of men', from alexein ('to ward off', 'defend') and aner ('man', genitive andros). | 30th | 740,668 |
| Andrew | Greek | Derived from Greek Andreas (Ἀνδρέας), meaning 'manly', 'valiant', or 'courageous', from andreios ('manly') and aner ('man'). | 73rd | 1,334,415 |
| Benjamin | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Binyamin, compound of ben ('son') and yamin ('right hand' or 'south'), signifying 'son of the right hand' (the favored side). | 11th | 829,312 |
| Christopher | Greek | Derived from Late Greek Christophoros (Χριστοφόρος), meaning 'bearing Christ' or 'Christ-bearer', formed from Christos and pherein ('to carry' or 'to bear'). | 68th | 2,079,103 |
| Daniel | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Daniyel (דָּנִיֵּאל), meaning 'God is my judge', formed from din ('to judge') and El ('God'). | 22nd | 1,991,091 |
| Emily | Latin | Derived from Latin Aemilia, the feminine form of the Roman patrician clan name Aemilius, traditionally related to aemulus ('rival', 'emulating', or 'industrious'). | 34th | 898,296 |
| Emma | Germanic | Derived from the Germanic root ermen or irmin, meaning 'whole', 'universal', or 'immense'. | 3rd | 778,172 |
| Ethan | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Eitan (אֵיתָן), meaning 'firm', 'strong', 'solid', or 'enduring'. | 24th | 488,144 |
| Jacob | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Ya'akov (יַעֲקֹב), traditionally understood as 'heel-catcher' or 'supplanter' from 'aqeb ('heel'), or alternatively interpreted as an abbreviation of Ya'akov-el ('may God protect'). | 43rd | 990,532 |
| James | Hebrew, English | English derivative of Late Latin Iacomus, ultimately from Hebrew Ya'akov (Jacob), traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter' or 'one who follows at the heel'. | 6th | 5,274,520 |
| John | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious' or 'the Lord is merciful'. | 23rd | 5,204,377 |
| Joseph | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף), meaning 'may he add' or 'God shall increase', from the verb yasaf ('to add'). | 29th | 2,680,213 |
| Joshua | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning 'Yahweh is salvation' or 'the Lord saves', from the elements Yah and yasha ('to save'). | 66th | 1,253,882 |
| Liam | Irish, Germanic | Irish short form of Uilliam, equivalent to William, composed of Germanic elements meaning 'will, desire' and 'helmet, protection'. | 1st | 359,085 |
| Linda | Spanish, Germanic | From the Spanish adjective linda, meaning 'pretty' or 'lovely', and reinforced by Germanic compound names containing lind, meaning 'gentle, soft' or 'linden tree'. | 902nd | 1,458,899 |
| Mary | Hebrew, Egyptian | From Hebrew Miryam; traditionally linked to roots for 'bitterness' or 'rebellion', though modern etymologists trace it to Egyptian mry, meaning 'beloved'. | 125th | 4,156,654 |
| Matthew | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ), meaning 'gift of Yahweh' or 'gift of God', composed of mattat ('gift') and Yah (the divine name). | 32nd | 1,659,655 |
| Michael | Hebrew | From Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning 'Who is like God?' (affirming the uniqueness of God). | 21st | 4,448,633 |
| Noah | Hebrew | Derived from Hebrew Noach, related to the root nuach, meaning 'rest', 'repose', or 'comfort'. | 2nd | 534,622 |
| Olivia | Latin, English | Derived from Latin oliva, meaning 'olive' or 'olive tree', long regarded as a symbol of peace. | 1st | 568,136 |
| Sophia | Greek | Derived directly from Greek sophia, meaning 'wisdom', 'knowledge', or 'sound judgment'. | 5th | 439,619 |
| William | Germanic, English | Derived from Germanic Wilhelm, compounded of wil ('will, desire') and helm ('helmet, protection'), conveying resolute guardianship. | 9th | 4,215,725 |
Popularity tools & state data
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