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Top baby boy names 2013
For the first time since 1999, Jacob is not the most popular boy's name in the U.S. anymore. Overall, the top 10 names for boys have not changed much, they've just been rearranged.
No. 1 Noah: For the first time ever, Noah tops the list of names for baby boys. This new favorite has been ranked on the Social Security Administration's (SSA) top 1,000 names every year since 1880. Noah has been on the rise since it hit its lowest rank (No. 693) in 1963 and finally entered the top 10 in 2009. Number of 2013 babies named Noah: 18,090
No. 2 Liam: Right on Noah's heels is Liam. This Irish favorite has made tremendous strides since it first entered the top 100 in 2006. Liam debuted on the SSA's top 1,000 list in 1967 — does it have what it takes to get to No. 1? Number of 2013 babies named Liam: 18,002
No. 3 Jacob: This Hebrew name enjoyed a tremendous run — 14 years in the top spot! Taylor Lautner's buff Twilight character helped keep this name at No. 1 but now, at long last, it's been ousted and currently sits at No. 3. Number of 2013 babies named Jacob: 17,976
No. 4 Mason: This masculine moniker has been around for a long time, but it wasn't until Kourtney Kardashian named her son Mason that the name really became prominent. Mason peaked at the No. 2 spot in 2011 and 2012 before falling last year to No. 4. Number of 2013 babies named Mason: 17,591
No. 5 William: William is a true classic. For as long as the SSA has been reporting name popularity, this beloved family name has never fallen out of the top 20. Despite its longevity, William has never found its way to No. 1, but it was second in line for at least 40 years (the last being 1920). Number of 2013 babies named William: 16,495
No. 6 Ethan: A biblical name meaning "strong" and "gift of the island," Ethan has enjoyed hit-or-miss popularity throughout the years. Prior to the mid-1950s, parents didn't find Ethan a go-to name like Michael or William. Since 2002, however, the name has held a top 10 status, peaking at No.2 in 2009 and 2010. Number of 2013 babies named Ethan: 16,127
No. 7 Michael: You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who isn't acquainted with someone named Michael. This perennial favorite occupied the No. 1 position from 1954 through 1998 (except for 1960, when it fell briefly to No. 2). Currently No. 7 (in both 2012 and 2013), Michael hasn't been this "unpopular" since 1947. Number of 2013 babies named Michael: 15,366
No. 8 Alexander: Most baby names for boys are one or two syllables max, but this four-syllable staple maintains a solid presence among its shorter counterparts. Despite its ancient Greek and biblical roots, Alexander didn't break the SSA's top 10 until 2008. Number of 2013 babies named Alexander: 14,771
No. 9 Jayden: Jayden's popularity has grown tremendously since it first appeared on the charts in 1994. The name peaked at No. 4 in 2010 and 2011 but would be ranked considerably higher if all of the variant spellings were included. Number of 2013 babies named Jayden: 14,656
No. 10 Daniel: This Hebrew name has maintained a strong, steady presence. Daniel's best rank was No. 5 (in 1985, 1990, 2007 and 2008) and its lowest was No. 55 (in 1914 to 1916). Number of 2013 babies named Daniel: 14,140
| 2013 Rank | Name | Last Year's Rank | 2000 Rank | 1900 Rank | |
| 1 | Noah | 4 | 27 | 204 | |
| 2 | Liam | 6 | 140 | * | |
| 3 | Jacob | 1 | 1 | 101 | |
| 4 | Mason | 2 | 64 | 399 | |
| 5 | William | 5 | 11 | 2 | |
| 6 | Ethan | 3 | 25 | * | |
| 7 | Michael | 7 | 2 | 51 | |
| 8 | Alexander | 9 | 20 | 93 | |
| 9 | Jayden | 8 | 194 | * | |
| 10 | Daniel | 11 | 9 | 44 |
The next 10 most popular baby boy names in 2013 were Elijah, Aiden, James, Benjamin, Matthew, Jackson, Logan, David, Anthony and Joseph. The least popular boy names were Darien, Clyde, Broderick, Rocky, Graeme, Davon, Camilo, Immanuel, Thatcher and Lachlan.
Top baby girl names 2013
For the third year running, Sophia is the nation's most popular baby name for a girl. It is joined by the same nine names as last year to round out the top 10.
No. 1 Sophia: A traditional girl's name, Sophia is enjoying its third straight year as the nation's most popular. Add in the number of babies named Sofia, and its rank is even further solidified. Number of 2013 babies named Sophia: 14,140 — Number of 2013 babies named Sofia: 9,108
No. 2 Emma: What goes around, comes around. Emma was in the top 10 from 1880 through 1897 but quickly fell out of favor. After it bottomed out at No. 458 in 1976, it started to pick up steam again. It returned to the Top 10 in 2002 and has remained there ever since. Number of 2013 babies named Emma: 20,788
No. 3 Olivia: Olivia has always been in the SSA's top 1,000, but it didn't really become trendy until 1990. The meaning of Olivia is "Olive." Olive is a truly antique name that fell out of favor around 1950 but is back with a vengeance. Look for it to overtake Olivia in the not-too-distant future. Number of 2013 babies named Olivia: 18,256
No. 4 Isabella: This beautiful name topped the charts in 2009 and 2010. Alternate spellings, such as Izabella (No. 179) and Isabela (No. 667) contribute to the original name's falling rank. Isabel (No. 136) and Isabelle (No. 119) are growing competitors. Number of 2013 babies named Isabella: 17,490
No. 5 Ava: In 1998, this glamorous baby name started to grow in popularity. It has consistently occupied the No. 5 spot since 2006, with the exception of 2007, when it peaked at No. 4. Number of 2013 babies named Ava: 15,129
No. 6 Mia: Since it entered the SSA's top 1,000 in 1964, Mia has grown increasingly popular. The Latin name, which means "wished-for child," is currently enjoying its best rank on the charts. Number of 2013 babies named Mia: 13,066
No. 7 Emily: Emily is one of the most popular girl names of all time. It occupied the No. 1 spot for 12 years (1996 through 2007). Alternate spellings are growing in favor and include Emilee, Emilie and Emelye. Number of 2013 babies named Emily: 13,044
No. 8 Abigail: This name was on the bottom of the popularity charts in the late 1800s and completely fell off the list in the early 1900s. Abigail re-entered the charts around 1950 and climbed in usage until 2005, when it peaked at No. 4. Look for alternate spellings (Abbigail) and diminutives (Abby, Abbie). Number of 2013 babies named Abigail: 12,313
No. 9 Madison: The name Madison was introduced in 1985 and has since become a top choice for baby girls. It enjoyed the No. 2 spot in 2001 and 2002 but is now competing for ground with changed-up spellings, such as Maddison, Madisyn and Madyson. Number of 2013 babies named Madison: 10,529
No. 10 Elizabeth: Elizabeth, a Hebrew and biblical name, is one of the oldest in our history. Its popularity has remained consistent since the SSA began publishing the statistics in 1880. Elizabeth is the perfect combination of classic and trendy. Number of 2013 babies named Elizabeth: 9,345
| 2013 Rank | Name | Last Year's Rank | 2000 Rank | 1900 Rank | |
| 1 | Sophia | 1 | 42 | 197 | |
| 2 | Emma | 2 | 17 | 13 | |
| 3 | Olivia | 4 | 16 | 251 | |
| 4 | Isabella | 3 | 45 | 290 | |
| 5 | Ava | 5 | 180 | 418 | |
| 6 | Mia | 8 | 93 | * | |
| 7 | Emily | 6 | 1 | 105 | |
| 8 | Abigail | 7 | 14 | * | |
| 9 | Madison | 9 | 3 | * | |
| 10 | Elizabeth | 10 | 9 | 6 |
The next 10 most popular baby girl names in 2013 were Charlotte, Avery, Sofia, Chloe, Ella, Harper, Amelia, Aubrey, Addison and Evelyn. The least popular girl names were Collins, Tinley, Tess, Kenna, Judith, Charity, Ryann, Penny, Makena and Dalilah.
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