Naming a baby is one of the first major decisions parents make. A name not only identifies a child but can also shape their identity and experiences throughout life. Names often carry cultural, historical, and familial significance, and choosing a common name can provide a sense of belonging in a diverse world. Common names tend to be recognized globally, offering a universal appeal that resonates with many cultures.
Choosing a widely recognized name can also provide benefits to a child, such as ease of pronunciation, reduced likelihood of misidentification, and an increased sense of connection to others. Popular names often have positive associations and are perceived as timeless, giving children a sense of continuity as they grow.
Girl names
When it comes to naming girls, parents frequently look for names that embody strength, beauty, and grace. Common girl names not only hold cultural significance but can also inspire confidence in young girls as they navigate the world.
- Aaliyah - A name of Arabic origin meaning "sublime" or "exalted."
- Abigail - Of Hebrew origin meaning "father's joy."
- Adeline - A French name meaning "noble."
- Amara - Of Igbo origin meaning "grace."
- Amelia - Derived from German, meaning "work" or "industrious."
- Ana - A Spanish and Portuguese name meaning "grace."
- Aria - An Italian name meaning "air" or "song."
- Aurora - Of Latin origin meaning "dawn."
- Ava - A name of Latin origin meaning "life" or "bird."
- Beatrice - A Latin name meaning "she who brings happiness."
- Bella - An Italian name meaning "beautiful."
- Blair - A Scottish name meaning "field" or "plain."
- Brianna - An Irish name meaning "strong" or "noble."
- Brielle - Of French origin, meaning "God is my strength."
- Carmen - A Spanish name meaning "song" or "poem."
- Caroline - Of French origin, meaning "free man" or "strong."
- Cecilia - Of Latin origin, meaning "blind."
- Charlotte - Of French origin, meaning "free man" or "petite."
- Chloe - A Greek name meaning "blooming" or "fertility."
- Clara - A Latin name meaning "bright" or "clear."
- Cleo - Of Greek origin meaning "glory."
- Cora - A Greek name meaning "maiden."
- Dahlia - An English name referring to the flower.
- Daisy - An English name referring to the flower.
- Delilah - A Hebrew name meaning "delicate."
- Elena - A Spanish name meaning "light" or "bright."
- Eliana - A Hebrew name meaning "my God has answered."
- Ella - Derived from German, meaning "fairy" or "goddess."
- Ellie - A diminutive of Eleanor, meaning "light."
- Emery - Of German origin meaning "brave."
- Emma - A German name meaning "whole" or "universal."
- Esme - Of French origin meaning "esteemed" or "beloved."
- Eva - A name of Hebrew origin meaning "life."
- Felicity - A Latin name meaning "happiness."
- Fiona - Of Scottish origin, meaning "fair" or "white."
- Freya - A Norse name meaning "lady" or "goddess of love."
- Gemma - An Italian name meaning "gem" or "jewel."
- Gianna - An Italian name meaning "God is gracious."
- Giselle - A French name meaning "pledge" or "oath."
- Grace - Of Latin origin, meaning "elegance" or "gracefulness."
- Greta - A German name meaning "pearl."
- Hannah - A Hebrew name meaning "grace" or "favor."
- Harper - An English name meaning "harp player."
- Hazel - An English name referring to the hazel tree.
- Imogen - Of Celtic origin meaning "maiden" or "girl."
- Isabella - Of Spanish and Italian origin, meaning "devoted to God."
- Ivory - An English name referring to the creamy-white material.
- Ivy - An English name referring to the climbing plant.
- Jade - An English name referring to the green stone.
- Jasmine - A name of Persian origin meaning "gift from God."
- Journey - An English name meaning "travel."
- Juniper - An English name referring to the evergreen shrub.
- Kaya - Of Native American origin meaning "my elder sister."
- Kinsley - An English name meaning "king's meadow."
- Laila - An Arabic name meaning "night."
- Layla - Of Arabic origin, meaning "night."
- Leah - A Hebrew name meaning "weary."
- Leila - A name of Arabic origin meaning "night."
- Liam - An Irish name meaning "strong-willed warrior."
- Lily - An English name referring to the flower.
- Lola - A Spanish diminutive of Dolores, meaning "sorrows."
- Lucy - Of Latin origin, meaning "light."
- Luna - Of Latin origin, meaning "moon."
- Mabel - Of Latin origin meaning "lovable."
- Maya - A name of Hebrew origin meaning "water."
- Mia - A name of Italian origin meaning "mine."
- Mila - A Slavic name meaning "gracious" or "dear."
- Naomi - A Hebrew name meaning "pleasantness."
- Nina - A name of Spanish origin meaning "little girl."
- Nora - An Irish name meaning "honor" or "light."
- Olivia - Derived from Latin, meaning "olive tree."
- Ophelia - Of Greek origin meaning "help."
- Paige - An English name meaning "young servant."
- Peyton - An English name meaning "fighting man's estate."
- Piper - An English name meaning "flute player."
- Quinn - Of Irish origin meaning "wisdom" or "intelligence."
- Raven - An English name referring to the bird known for its intelligence.
- Riley - An Irish name meaning "courageous."
- Sabrina - A name of Celtic origin meaning "legendary princess."
- Sadie - A diminutive of Sarah, meaning "princess."
- Samantha - Of Aramaic origin meaning "listener."
- Savannah - An English name referring to a treeless plain.
- Scarlett - Of English origin, referring to the color red.
- Skylar - A Dutch name meaning "scholar."
- Sofia - A Greek name meaning "wisdom."
- Sophia - A Greek name meaning "wisdom."
- Stella - Of Latin origin meaning "star."
- Teagan - Of Irish origin, meaning "beautiful."
- Tessa - Of English origin, meaning "harvester."
- Thalia - Of Greek origin meaning "to blossom."
- Uma - A Sanskrit name meaning "nation."
- Valentina - A Latin name meaning "strong" or "healthy."
- Victoria - A Latin name meaning "victory."
- Violet - An English name referring to the purple flower.
- Vivian - Of Latin origin meaning "alive."
- Willow - An English name referring to the willow tree.
- Wren - An English name referring to the small bird.
- Yara - A name of Arabic origin meaning "small butterfly."
- Zara - An Arabic name meaning "princess."
- Zoe - Of Greek origin, meaning "life."
Boy names
When selecting names for boys, parents often aim for names that evoke strength, leadership, and integrity. Common boy names can carry significant weight and can instill a sense of pride in boys as they grow into men.
- Aarav - An Indian name meaning "peaceful."
- Aaron - A Hebrew name meaning "high mountain."
- Abel - A Hebrew name meaning "breath" or "vanity."
- Adrian - A Latin name meaning "man of Adria."
- Adriel - A Hebrew name meaning "flock of God."
- Aiden - An Irish name meaning "little fire."
- Alexander - A Greek name meaning "defender of the people."
- Alvin - An English name meaning "noble friend."
- André - A French name meaning "manly."
- Antonio - An Italian name meaning "priceless."
- Asher - A Hebrew name meaning "happy" or "blessed."
- Benjamin - A Hebrew name meaning "son of the right hand."
- Bodhi - A Sanskrit name meaning "awakening."
- Bryson - An English name meaning "son of Brice."
- Caleb - A Hebrew name meaning "faithful" or "devotion."
- Carter - An English name meaning "one who transports goods."
- Charles - A German name meaning "free man."
- Christopher - A Greek name meaning "bearer of Christ."
- Cillian - An Irish name meaning "little church."
- Cruz - A Spanish name meaning "cross."
- Cyrus - A Persian name meaning "sun."
- Daniel - A Hebrew name meaning "God is my judge."
- David - A Hebrew name meaning "beloved."
- Derek - A German name meaning "ruler of the people."
- Dominic - A Latin name meaning "belonging to the Lord."
- Elias - A Greek variation of Elijah meaning "Yahweh is my God."
- Elijah - A Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh is my God."
- Ethan - A Hebrew name meaning "strong" or "firm."
- Finn - An Irish name meaning "fair" or "white."
- Gabriel - A Hebrew name meaning "God is my strength."
- Harvey - A French name meaning "battle worthy."
- Henry - A German name meaning "ruler of the home."
- Hugo - A German name meaning "mind" or "intellect."
- Isaac - A Hebrew name meaning "laughter."
- Jackson - An English name meaning "son of Jack."
- Jacob - A Hebrew name meaning "holder of the heel."
- James - A Hebrew name meaning "supplanter."
- Jasper - A Persian name meaning "treasurer."
- Jonathan - A Hebrew name meaning "God has given."
- Jordan - A Hebrew name meaning "to flow down."
- Julian - A Latin name meaning "youthful" or "downy."
- Justin - A Latin name meaning "just" or "fair."
- Kaden - An American name meaning "fighter."
- Kevin - An Irish name meaning "handsome" or "kind."
- Khalil - An Arabic name meaning "friend."
- Kieran - An Irish name meaning "little dark one."
- Liam - An Irish name meaning "strong-willed warrior."
- Logan - A Scottish name meaning "small hollow."
- Luca - An Italian name meaning "bringer of light."
- Lucas - A Latin name meaning "bringer of light."
- Malcolm - A Scottish name meaning "devotee of St. Columba."
- Marcus - A Latin name meaning "warlike."
- Mason - An English name meaning "stone worker."
- Matthew - A Hebrew name meaning "gift of God."
- Michael - A Hebrew name meaning "who is like God?"
- Mohammed - An Arabic name meaning "praiseworthy."
- Moses - A Hebrew name meaning "drawn out."
- Nicolas - A Greek name meaning "victory of the people."
- Noah - A Hebrew name meaning "rest" or "comfort."
- Oliver - A Latin name meaning "olive tree."
- Orion - A Greek name meaning "rising in the sky."
- Oscar - An Irish name meaning "deer friend."
- Owen - A Welsh name meaning "noble" or "young warrior."
- Parker - An English name meaning "park keeper."
- Phoenix - A Greek name symbolizing rebirth.
- Quentin - A Latin name meaning "fifth."
- Rafael - A Hebrew name meaning "God has healed."
- Reuben - A Hebrew name meaning "behold, a son."
- Rex - A Latin name meaning "king."
- Riley - An Irish name meaning "valiant."
- Roman - A Latin name meaning "citizen of Rome."
- Ryan - An Irish name meaning "little king."
- Samuel - A Hebrew name meaning "God has heard."
- Sawyer - An English name meaning "woodcutter."
- Sebastian - A Greek name meaning "venerable" or "revered."
- Shiloh - A Hebrew name meaning "tranquil."
- Silas - A Latin name meaning "wood" or "forest."
- Simon - A Hebrew name meaning "he has heard."
- Tanner - An English name meaning "leather worker."
- Theo - A Greek name meaning "divine gift."
- Thomas - A Hebrew name meaning "twin."
- Timothy - A Greek name meaning "honoring God."
- Tobias - A Hebrew name meaning "God is good."
- Tyler - An English name meaning "maker of tiles."
- Vaughn - A Welsh name meaning "little."
- Victor - A Latin name meaning "conqueror."
- Warren - An English name meaning "watchman."
- Wesley - An English name meaning "western meadow."
- Wilbur - An English name meaning "resolute."
- William - A German name meaning "resolute protector."
- Winston - An English name meaning "joyful stone."
- Xander - A Greek name meaning "defender of the people."
- Xavier - A Basque name meaning "new house."
- Yardley - An English name meaning "meadow by the gate."
- Yusuf - An Arabic name meaning "God increases."
- Zachary - A Hebrew name meaning "the Lord has remembered."
- Zaire - An African name meaning "river that swallows all rivers."
- Zander - A Greek name meaning "defender of the people."
- Zane - A Hebrew name meaning "gift from God."
- Zion - A Hebrew name meaning "highest point."
Gender-neutral names
In recent years, gender-neutral names have gained popularity, reflecting a more inclusive approach to naming. These names offer versatility and can suit any child, promoting equality from the start.
- Avery - A name of English origin meaning "ruler of the elves."
- Blake - An English name meaning "fair-haired" or "dark."
- Casey - An Irish name meaning "brave" or "vigilant."
- Charlie - A diminutive of Charles, meaning "free man."
- Dakota - A Native American name meaning "friend" or "ally."
- Emerson - An English name meaning "brave" or "powerful."
- Finley - A Scottish name meaning "fair-haired hero."
- Harper - An English name meaning "harp player."
- Jordan - A Hebrew name meaning "to flow down."
- Kai - A name of Hawaiian origin meaning "sea."
- Kennedy - An Irish name meaning "helmeted chief."
- Morgan - A Welsh name meaning "sea-born" or "bright."
- Parker - An English name meaning "park keeper."
- Quinn - An Irish name meaning "wisdom" or "intelligence."
- Reese - A Welsh name meaning "enthusiasm."
- Riley - An Irish name meaning "valiant."
- River - An English name referring to the flowing water.
- Sage - A Latin name meaning "wise" or "profound."
- Sam - A diminutive of Samuel or Samantha, meaning "told by God."
- Skylar - A Dutch name meaning "scholar."
- Tatum - An English name meaning "cheerful."
- Taylor - An English name meaning "cutter of cloth."
- Teagan - An Irish name meaning "beautiful."
- Toby - A diminutive of Tobias, meaning "God is good."
- Wren - An English name referring to the small bird.
Choosing a name for your child is an important decision that can have lasting significance. The names listed above represent just a few of the most common names in the world today. Whether you prefer traditional names or modern, trendy options, there is a name here that can resonate with every family. Each name has its unique meaning, adding depth and significance to the choice. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect name that reflects your family's values and traditions.
If you're interested in broader naming choices, be sure to check out our article on gender-neutral names, highlighting options that embrace individuality while crossing cultural boundaries.