The annual list of America’s most popular baby names for 2025 is finally here, and while some long-time favorites remain strong, a few new contenders have made their way into the top 10 for the first time.
Each year, BabyCenter, which has been tracking baby name trends for more than two decades, releases its list of the 100 most popular names based on data from parents registered on its app.
The 2025 rankings are drawn from more than 350,000 babies born this year, giving a fascinating glimpse into the naming trends shaping families across the country.
TV Hosts Tried (and Failed) to Guess the Top Names
Before the official list dropped, TODAY show hosts Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones, and Al Roker took a stab at guessing which names would come out on top.
While none of the co-hosts managed to predict the winners, they weren’t shocked by the results once revealed.
“We know a lot of Noahs,” Sheinelle admitted, while Craig noted that Olivia has been a U.S. favorite for years. Al added that cultural influences, like the beloved Olivia children’s books, could help explain the name’s staying power.
Fresh Faces in the Top 10
Although some familiar names continue to dominate, new entries are shaking up the rankings, particularly among the girls’ names.
Eliana (number 7) and Aurora (number 9) both broke into the top 10 for the first time, pushing out previous favorites Ava (number 11) and Luna (number 13).
Credit: Photodisc / Getty Images.
For boys, there was less dramatic movement. Leo slipped out of the top 10 to number 11, while Luca made a comeback after dropping off the list last year.
Newcomers to the Top 100
BabyCenter also highlighted several names making their debut (or return) to the broader Top 100. For girls, the new additions include Eloise (number 75), Sarah (number 84), Emersyn (number 89), Charlie (number 93), Catalina (number 95), Josephine (number 96), Juniper (number 97), Oaklynn (number 98), Vivian (number 99), and Kehlani (number 100).
Meanwhile, for boys, the latest arrivals are Malachi (number 91), Arthur (number 95), Ali (number 96), and Nathaniel (number 98).
Pop Culture Continues to Shape Baby Name Trends
According to BabyCenter’s baby name trends specialist Rebekah Wahlberg, pop culture continues to be one of the biggest naming influences for new parents.
The Summer I Turned Pretty (the hit Amazon Prime series) is among the shows believed to have inspired a wave of new name choices this year. Wahlberg explained that about 1 in 9 parents (11%) said their baby’s name was influenced by pop culture, whether that be a movie, TV series, celebrity, or best-selling novel.
This means your favorite on-screen couple or fictional character could very well be shaping the next generation of baby names.
Credit: NoSystem images / Getty Images.
Here’s how the final rankings stack up:
Top 10 Baby Boy Names of 2025:
10. Luca
9. Asher
8. Ezra
7. Lucas
6. Levi
5. Mateo
4. Elijah
3. Oliver
2. Liam
1. Noah
Top 10 Baby Girl Names of 2025:
10. Mia
9. Aurora
8. Ellie
7. Eliana
6. Charlotte
5. Isabella
4. Emma
3. Sophia
2. Amelia
1. Olivia
Once again, Noah and Olivia have held onto the top spots, proving that classic, timeless names continue to resonate with parents nationwide.
Olivia has been the most popular girl’s name for six years straight and has remained in the U.S. top 10 since 2001, while Noah continues its strong reign as a favorite for baby boys.
Even with the rise of pop culture-inspired picks and creative naming trends, it seems that when it comes to naming their newest family members, American parents still have a soft spot for tradition.