Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      I’m a pediatric sleep specialist who has seen it all, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late to get your child to (happily) stay in his own bed all night long. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Every Day of the Month

    When sex coincides with your most fertile ovulation days, you'll increase your chances of getting pregnant. Get to know each phase of your cycle to make conception faster and easier.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY

    Signs of Approaching Labor: How to Tell Your Baby is Coming Soon

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the first signs of labor approaching, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES

    These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2020

    Curious which baby names stole the show this year? From new classics like Noah to tried-and-true faves like Ava, here are the top boy and girl names of the year so far, plus more naming trends to consider.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
    • Baby Name Quizzes
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn’t need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids’ birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY

    6 Easter Egg Science Experiments for Kids

    Smarten up your annual Easter tradition with these easy, educational egg dyeing ideas.
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Baby Names
  3. These Are the 10 Most Influential Baby Names of the Decade

These Are the 10 Most Influential Baby Names of the Decade

By Lisa Milbrand
December 23, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin

Just like fashions, baby name trends come and go—and the 2010s definitely introduced its fair share of new styles. While names like Emma, Noah, and Sophia may have topped the charts, these are the names that defined the past decade. Why? Because even if you didn't pick one, you were most likely influenced by the trend behind it.

Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Khaleesi

Since the turn of the 21st century, parents-to-be have turned to pop culture for baby name inspiration—and the meteoric rise ofĀ Game of Thrones-inspired Khaleesi, the Dothraki word for queen, as a baby name is the perfect example. (And it's also the perfect cautionary tale as to why you might want to hold off on picking the name to avoid any unexpected turns to the dark side!) Other fan-favorite baby names include Arya (also fromĀ Game of Thrones), Luna (Harry Potter's offbeat pal), andĀ Star Wars'Ā pair of complicated guys, Anakin and Kylo.

  • These Game of Thrones Names Are More Popular Than Ever

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Aiden

A top 20 favorite throughout the 2010s, this alternative spelling of the Celtic classic Aidan inspired a massive wave of "den" names of various spellings—including Braden/Brayden, Jaden/Jayden, Zayden, and Caden/Kayden. Though the trend was most popular among boys, many girls were given "den" names, too.

  • These Are the Top 20 Baby Names for 2020

2 of 10

3 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hazel

This vintage nature name reemerged, thanks in part to the YA novel and filmĀ The Fault in Our Stars.Ā Parents also brought some other unique nature-themed names into vogue this decade, including Juniper, Poppy, Magnolia, Jasper, Briar, Clementine, and Wren.

  • 100 Most Popular Baby Names of 2019—So Far

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cameron

Unisex baby names had their moment in the 2010s, as Cameron, Nova, Sutton, Emerson, Phoenix, and Lennon were favorites for boys and girls. But it seems that even very traditionally male names can now cross the line, as celebrities this decade picked names like Wyatt, Maxwell, and James for their girls.

  • Find the Most Popular Gender-Neutral Baby Name in Your State

4 of 10

5 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mason

You can thank the Kardashians for bringing this occupational name into the spotlight, after Kourtney picked it for her eldest son. But any time a celeb picked a name for their baby, you saw interest in that name spike—with names such as Saint, Archie, Ivy, and Ophelia among the beneficiaries.

5 of 10

6 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Jaxon

Parents of the 21st century want their kids to have a unique name—even if they really love popular names like Olivia and Jackson. That's how we get to equally popular alternative spellings—some of which get pretty creative. You'll find creative spellings sprinkled throughout the top 200 names, including Aiden, Ayden, Jaxon, Jaxson, Zoey, Rylee, Aubree, and Khloe.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Wyatt

We aren't ready to let our Wild West past mosey on off into the sunset—and names with a bit of Western swagger have appealed to parents throughout the decade. While Wyatt remained a top pick throughout the decade, names like Stetson, Austin, Levi, Colt/Colton, and Sienna also caught parents' eyes.

  • 50+ Unique Boy Names for 2020

7 of 10

8 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Brooklyn

Exotic locales still have their fans, but many parents opted for baby names a little closer to home. Brooklyn was popularized after Victoria and David Beckham, and Vanessa and Nick Lachey picked the name for their kids. But other parents opted for other American geographic names, including Memphis, Savannah, Camden, Princeton, Madison, Georgia, and Aspen.

8 of 10

9 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Maisie

After decades of picking more formal names, parents have started outright giving their kids the name they plan to call them. Maisie, a nickname for Margaret, hit it big after actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones, but other parents helped bring Gus, Louie, Theo, Charlie, Ellie, and even #1 name Liam into vogue.

  • Short (Yet Sweet) Baby Names for Boys and Girls

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Kalani

Has the top honeymoon destination inspired a lot of parents-to-be—or could President Obama have brought a fresh eye to the lovely baby options, since his daughter, Malia, bears one of the more popular options? Kalani, Malia, Leilani, Kai, Kailani, Keanu, and Koa are among the top Hawaiian baby name picks.

  • Popular Hawaiian Baby Names and Their Meanings

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Lisa Milbrand

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 10 Khaleesi
2 of 10 Aiden
3 of 10 Hazel
4 of 10 Cameron
5 of 10 Mason
6 of 10 Jaxon
7 of 10 Wyatt
8 of 10 Brooklyn
9 of 10 Maisie
10 of 10 Kalani

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Parents

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
  • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Parents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

View image

These Are the 10 Most Influential Baby Names of the Decade
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.