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Naming a baby is such a heart-warming experience for new parents. Even before birth, parents go berserk searching for a name that’s rare and seldom heard of. Parents want their babies to stand out in the crowd with a unique, impressive, yet meaningful moniker. Should you name your baby after a celebrity or TV character that left a lasting impact on you? Or would you instead stick to the popular ones in your community, religion, or ethnicity? Nevertheless, the task seems herculean.
Some names go viral but last for a short time, while some are classic and evergreen. That said, choosing the best name can drive you to a state of frenzy given the wide gamut of choices you have.
Do you wish to know the baby name picks that are totally timeless, so popular that they’ve lasted the decade? To help you, we’ve compiled a list of baby-naming trends for the last ten years. So, look no further. Here are the most popular baby names of the last decade that should inspire the name for your little one on the way:
1. Noah
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A gender-neutral baby name of Hebrew origin, Noah is a famous baby name that means: rest or peace. It’s perfect for a girl or a boy if you desire to keep your baby’s name short and sweet.
2. William
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Derived from the Germanic root name, Wilhelm is composed of two elements, will (conviction) and helm (protection). This is a pretty royal name that leaves an impression of a bold warrior.
3. Ethan
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A Hebrew name that means “enduring and strong”, Ethan is a biblical character and has become a much sought-after baby name of the past ten years.
4. Emily
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Derived from the Roman root name Aemulus meaning “industrious”, “hardworking,” or “rival”, Emily has gained much popularity in the past decade, perhaps because of famous actresses such as Emily Blunt, Emily Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer.
5. Sophia
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The simplicity and elegance of this name are true beyond a shadow of a doubt. Sophia is a feminine name, meaning “wisdom”. It is of Greek origin with other beautiful variants like Sofia and Sofie.
6. Michael
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This name is so loved, we could go to the extent of saying that almost everyone has known one Michael in their lifetime! Michael is a masculine name that means “Who is possibly as great as God?” The name is a classic one used by parents for decades.
7. James
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The Hebrew name Jacob is the inspiration behind the birth of the classic boys’ name, James. It means “supplanter”, the one who seizes or usurps to bring in changes and renew. James is a trendy traditional baby name used by parents, a big trend in the last ten years.
8. Charlotte
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This one is a crazy fan-favorite among parents awaiting the birth of their newborn daughter. A popular baby name in the last decade, Charlotte is a feminine name of French origin, meaning “free man”.
9. Lucas
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A baby boy name of Greek origin, Lucas, means “man from Lucania”, an ancient region of South Italy. Lucas also means “illuminating” or “light-giving”. It is indeed a beautiful name and modern with an international appeal.
10. Matthew
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Yet another famous moniker is Matthew, meaning “gift of God”. This one has been a real chart-darling for decades. It’s the perfect name for someone parents consider “heaven-sent”.
11. Scarlett
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Scarlett meaning “red”, is often used to describe the setting sun. This lovely name has not diminished in its popularity in the past ten years. A word that carries much richness and warmth, this too has garnered admiration in the last decade’s “most popular baby names” category.
12. Aaron
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Aaron, the brother of Moses in the Bible, means “exalted” or “strong”. Aaron has been a popular baby name over time, especially in the past decade. This one has a fresh feel, yet it is a timeless classic that has been a hot favorite among new parents. It’s perfect to name their adorable baby boy.
13. Sarah
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A great Old Testament name, Sarah, depicts an ideal, beautiful woman across generations. It is one of Hebrew origin, meaning a “princess”. Truly an exotic first or a middle baby name that has endured the test of time.
14. Logan
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This baby name is a sophisticated one wearing well throughout the ages, and the past decade is no exception! With an Irish origin, Logan is a genderless baby name that means “from the hollow”. Sci-fi lover, anyone? If you wish for your baby to become a futuristic hero who saves the world, this should be your ideal choice.
15. Hailey
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If you are looking for a gorgeous baby girl name that’s a perfect fit for the adorable one in your arms, Hailey is a match. An English word that stands for “a field of hay”, the name has a soft and delicate ring to it. Nonetheless, this one stood out as a popular baby name choice for parents in the last ten years.
16. Andrew
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A timeless baby boy name that never went out of style, it was one of the most loved ones in the past decade too. Andrew, which means “manly”, has a biblical reference to it, making it the perfect choice for your little one.
17. Anna
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Anna is a famous baby name that personifies charm and grace. Meaning “gracious” or “merciful”, Anna is a popular baby name choice of the last decade. So chic, this baby girl name is a modern-day favorite and a famous one across continents.
18. Carter
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Carter meaning “one who drives a cart”, is a baby boy name of British origin. So high on the popularity graph, this has become a household name in the U.S. The perfect name to choose if you’re considering a gender-neutral option, Carter is a stately name for your little one.
19. Daniel
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An edgy Danish baby name, Daniel, means “God is my judge”. Quite a popular choice among parents looking for stylish baby boy names that carry so much swag, Daniel, is an excellent choice for your munchkin. No wonder it has endured as one of the trendiest baby names in the last ten years.
20. Olivia
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The image of a graceful woman comes to our mind when we hear this modern yet timeless name. Olivia is a Latin baby name that means “olive tree”. Many parents have voted this to be their favorite choice of baby names in the past decade. This one is a perfect fit at any stage of your baby’s life: infancy, teenage, or womanhood.
Many believe that names carry our future potential, so they have a significant bearing on our whole life. Famous or not, let your child carry a name that’s meaningful, timeless, and dignified, one they can live up to! Do you have some more to add to this list? Let us know your favorite baby names of the past decade in the comments section below!
