Top Baby Names of the Decade -- So Far!

Check out the top baby names of the 2000s and our predictions for the rest of the decade.

By Deirdre Byrne

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The Most Popular Names for Boys and Girls

With the 2000s nearing a close, we've compiled the top baby name trends that'll carry us through the rest of the decade. So whether you're picking the perfect name for your baby -- or just having fun -- check out these baby-naming facts.

pregnant mom reading book with hand on bare belly

What do the names Michael, Matthew, Christopher, Jacob, and Joshua have in common? In the U.S., they are among the top boys' names of the last five years. So what have we learned? For top names, consistency is key and little variation has occurred. For girls, Ashley, Emily, Samantha, Hannah, and Elizabeth show staying power.

All this name information was obtained from the Social Security Administration; since 1879, they have been tracking card applications for births that occurred in the United States. The most recent data is from records on Social Security card applications as of the end of February 2005.

What does "Micheal" mean? >>
What does "Matthew" mean? >>
What does "Christopher" mean? >>
What does "Jacob" mean? >>
What does "Joshua" mean? >>
What does "Ashley" mean? >>
What does "Emily" mean? >>
What does "Samantha" mean? >>
What does "Hannah" mean? >>
What does "Elizabeth" mean? >>

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