What are the most popular names for baby boys, and what are their meanings?
In the last decade, these were the 50 most popular names for boys in the United States (listed in order of popularity):
Jacob: Hebrew. Meaning: Held by the heel, one who holds another back.
Michael:In the Bible, the archangel closest to God, the divine messenger who carries out God's judgments. Hebrew. Meaning: Who is like God?
Joshua: Hebrew. Meaning: The Lord is my salvation.
Matthew: Hebrew. Meaning: Gift of God.
Daniel: Hebrew. Meaning: God is my judge.
Christopher: Greek and Latin. Meaning: Christ-bearer.
Andrew: Greek. Meaning: Manly, valiant, courageous.
Ethan: Hebrew; Etan is the modern Hebrew spelling. Meaning: Permanent, firm, strong.
Joseph: Hebrew. Meaning: He (God) will add or increase.
William: A variant form of the Old French name Willaume and the Old High German Willehelm. Meaning: Resolute protector.
Anthony: Original form is Antonius. From Greek and Latin. Meaning: Flourishing (Greek) or worthy of praise (Latin).
David: Hebrew. Meaning: Beloved.
Alexander: Greek, from Alexandros. Meaning: Protector of men.
Nicholas: From the Greek nike, meaning victory, and laos, meaning the people. Meaning: Victory of the people.
Ryan: A short form of Bryan or Bryant (Brian or Briant). Derived from the Celtic and Gaelic name Briareus. Meaning: Strong.
Tyler: British, possibly meaning a house builder.
James: English form of the Hebrew name Jacob. Meaning: Held by the heel, supplanter.
John: Hebrew. Meaning: God is gracious, God is merciful.
Jonathan: Hebrew. Meaning: God has given.
Noah: Hebrew. Meaning: Rest, peace.
Brandon: A variant form of the Irish name Bran. Meaning: A raven.
Christian: From the Latin christianus. Meaning: A Christian.
Dylan: Welsh. Meaning: The sea.
Samuel: Hebrew. Meaning: His name is God, or God has heard.
Benjamin: Hebrew. Meaning: Son of my right hand.
Zachary: A variant form of Zechariah. Hebrew. Meaning: The remembrance of the Lord.
Nathan: Hebrew. Meaning: He gave, implying a gift of God.
Logan: From Middle English and Old Norse. Meaning: A felled tree.
Justin: A variant form of Justus. Meaning: Just.
Gabriel: Hebrew. Meaning: God is my strength.
Jose: Spanish form of Joseph. Meaning: He (God) will increase.
Austin: English variant forms of the Latin August and Augustus. Meaning: Revered, exalted.
Kevin: Gaelic. Meaning: Handsome, beautiful.
Elijah: Hebrew. Meaning: The Lord is my God.
Caleb: Hebrew. Meaning: Faithful.
Robert: From Old High German. Meaning: Bright fame or famous counsel.
Thomas: From Hebrew and Aramaic. Meaning: A twin. Also, Phoenecian. Meaning: Sun god.
Jordan: From the Hebrew yarod. Meaning: To flow down, descend, a descendant.
Cameron: Celtic. Meaning: Bent nose.
Jack: A pet form of the name Jacob. Meaning: Held by the heel, one who holds back another, supplanter.
Hunter: Old English. Meaning: To search, hunt.
Jackson: Use of the surname son of Jack as a first name.
Angel: Greek. Meaning: Messenger or saintly person.
Isaiah: Hebrew. Meaning: Salvation of the Lord, or the Lord is my helper.
Evan: A Welsh form of the name John. Hebrew. Meaning: God is gracious, God is merciful.
Isaac: Hebrew. Meaning: He will laugh.
Mason: From Old French macon. Meaning: A worker in stone.
Luke: The English form of Lucius. Latin. Meaning: Light.
Jason: Greek and Latin. Meaning: Healer.
Gavin: Scottish form of Gawain, a Welsh name. Meaning: Little white hawk or falcon.
