Every year, BabyCenter releases a list of the most popular baby names from that calendar year. This year's list just came out, and although the top 10 mostly stayed the same, there are some new additions.
Not only does BabyCenter release the top names, it also unveils the trendiest names of the year — these are the ones that jumped up a lot of spots.
When names become popular among celebrities, they often become more popular among the general population as well. The same goes for names used in television shows, books, and pop culture.
Last year, in 2017, a lot of babies were named after famous rappers. Many parents named their kids Chance, Jay, Queen, and Kendrick. Other popular names? Colors (like Lavender, Hazel, and Ebony), basketball players (like LeBron, Kyrie, and Carmelo), Disney characters (like Moana, Belle, and Tiana), and nature words (like Ember, River, and Luna).
Check out the trendiest and most popular baby names of 2018!
Top 10 Girls Names
This year's top 10 girls names list is similar to previous years — Sophia held onto its No. 1 spot for the ninth year in a row. But coming in at No. 10 was a new name: Layla.
- Sophia
- Olivia
- Emma
- Ava
- Isabella
- Aria
- Riley
- Amelia
- Mia
- Layla
Top 10 Boys Names
Once again, Jackson topped the list of boys names (for the sixth consecutive year). A new name, Oliver, came in at No. 9.
- Jackson
- Liam
- Noah
- Aiden
- Caden
- Grayson
- Lucas
- Mason
- Oliver
- Elijah
Trendy Names: Zen
This year, some of the trendiest names were based on a zen lifestyle.
Names like Peace, Hope, Aurora, Rainbow, and Dawn were popular among baby girls.
And among boys, names like Shanti, Sky, Fern, and Ocean rose in popularity.
Trendy Names: Fortnite
Video games also inspired a lot of baby names this year, especially the game Fortnite.
Gen Z and millennial parents chose names like Leviathan, Rogue, and Ramirez — all based on the popular multiplayer game.
Trendy Names: Health Food
Food names were also hugely popular this year — and as health food has become trendier, so have health food names.
For girls, some of the trendiest food names were Kiwi, Kale, Maple, Clementine, and Rosemary.
Trendy Names: Kardashians and Jenners
Of course, people always find baby names on the television shows they watch, so it should be no surprise that Kardashian/Jenner names were popular this year.
Stormi, Dream, Kim, and Reign all rose in popularity this year for girls names, and Kanye and Saint both rose for boys names.
Trendy Names: Chip and Joanna Gaines
Finally, another television family inspired a lot of names: Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Their children's names and business name all climbed the list this year. Magnolia, Emmie, and Ella were popular among girls, and Drake and Crew were popular among boys.
2019 Predictions
Next year, some popular name trends will be sneaker brands, power couples, Southern states/cities, and young royals.
Congratulations to everyone who welcomed new babies in 2018!
