Top baby names of 2015 and their meanings

Naming your baby is a hard decision that parents have to make often looking to many sources for inspiration. In 2015 we saw some changes in baby name trends. What were the top baby names for 2015? Read on to find out more as well as some predictions for 2016.

 

2014 was all about hipster names, but we saw those quickly fall short in 2015. Old school 80’s names are on the rise, along with Irish or Gaelic names gaining popularity in the top baby names top 100 list. The royals are also climbing the list once more, along with instagram filters, places and planets. Names like Lux, Juno, Reyes, Ludwig, Amaro, Valencia, Willow are seen sneaking into the top 100, evoking a sense of nostalgia. These names are in fact Instagram filters. Baby Center expect this trend to continue into 2016 and predict that we will meet baby Mayfair, Sutro, Rise, or Brannan. As always, celebrities seem a source of inspiration with some of their more unusual choices for those looking for something a bit more special. The lists are always changing and reflect the influence of pop culture on our choices.

Top baby names – Boys:

Depending on which list you refer to this year the top Boys name of 2015 was either Muhammad or Jackson, hanging onto to the top from 2014. Other boys names that were common to the various top 10 lists included Noah, Jacob and Ethan.

To see the top 100 most popular Boys names of 2015 click here.

 

 Top baby names – Girls:

2015 was all about the ultra-feminine names with Olivia climbing from number 4 to number 1 in 2015. Isla, previously number 6, has fallen out of the top 10 completely. Some names that were common in the top 10 included Sophia, Isabella, Lily and Emily.

To see the top 100 Girls names click here.

 

Top baby names for 2015 – trends:

The 80’s:

The 80’s are officially back! Zoe, Sarah, Holly, John, Michael and Jason are climbing fast. Zoe climbed a staggering 44 places to become number 32. With the amount of famous Zoe’s in Hollywood this is no surprise! The top boy name to jump is John which rose 18 places to number 80, with Michael rising 17 places to number 39. This trend extended to their yuppie friends – Anna, Penelope, Clara, Sara and Zara.

Royalty:

According to BabyCenter royal names are on the increase and a definite trend for 2015. Here we literally mean the gender neutral name “Royalty” climbing 90% in 2015, with counterparts Duchess (up 75%), Reign (up 54%) and Sultan (up 25%). The birth of young Charlotte has also bolstered popularity for this name, as well as other royals like Harry, George and William.

The luck of the Irish:

Although some Irish names have been popular in recent years, we see some of the more unusual Irish names making headway in 2015. Aidan, Connor and Liam are becoming firm favourites.

TV and film:

Following the rise of Aidan and Poldark, character names from Game of Thrones and Sons of Anarchy have also seen a rise. Maisie, Aria and John all jumped in 2015 as did Harley, Bobby, Tommy and Eli.

Some French inspiration:

20. Aveline – girl – “the hazelnut tree”

19. Bale – boy – “royal”

18. Bellamy – girl – “fine friend”

17. Cabot – boy – “to sail”

16. Coralie – girl – “coral”

15. Danton – boy – “enduring”

14. Elize – girl – “pledged to God”

13. Henri – boy – “estate ruler”

12. Janvier –  girl – “January”

11. Jorden – boy – “descend or flowdown”

10. Landry – girl – “ruler”

9. Luc – boy – “man from Lucania”

8. Marielle – girl – “wished for child”, “rebellion”, “bitter”,

7. Montgomery – boy – “man power”

6. Solene – girl – “with solemnity”

5. Mathis – boy – “gift of God”

4. Anaelle – girl – “grace”

3. Olivier – boy – “olive tree”

2. Fleur – girl – “flower”

1. Remi – boy or girl – “oarsman”

Top 100 Boys names in 2015

1. Jackson – “son of Jack”
2. Aiden – “fiery”
3. Liam – “helmet of will”
4. Lucas – “light-giving”, “illumination”
5. Noah – “rest” and “comfort.”
6. Mason – “stone worker”
7. Ethan – “strong,” “safe,” “firm”
8. Caden – “”friend” or “companion.” In Welsh, “caden” means “spirit of battle.”
9. Logan – “Small hollow”
10. Jacob – “Supplanter,”
11. Jayden – “Jehovah has heard”
12. Oliver – “olive tree”
13. Elijah – “”Yahweh is God.”
14. Alexander – “defender of men.”
15. Michael – “”Who is like God?”
16. Carter – “Cart driver, cart maker”
17. James – “supplanter,”
18. Caleb – “dog”
19. Benjamin – “son of the south”
20. Jack – “supplanter,”
21. Luke – “light-giving”, “illumination”
22. Grayson – “son of a steward.”
23. William – “Strong-willed warrior.”
24. Ryan – “descendent of the king,” or even “little king.”
25. Connor – “wise.”
26. Daniel – “God is my judge”
27. Gabriel – “devoted to God,” “a hero of God,” or “God is my strength”
28. Owen – “young warrior” or “well born,” “noble.”
29. Henry – “estate ruler”
30. Matthew – “Gift from God.”
31. Isaac – “He will laugh”
32. Wyatt – “wood” or “wide”, “hardy, brave, strong”
33. Jayce – “Healer”
34. Cameron – “Crooked nose”
35. Landon – “long hill” or “ridge.”
36. Nicholas – “Victory of the People”
37. Dylan – “sea.”
38. Nathan – “He Gave”
39. Muhammad – “Praised one”
40. Sebastian – “venerable” or “revered.”
41. Eli – “my God,” “high,” or “elevated.”
42. David – “beloved”
43. Brayden – “broad,” “brave,” or “wise.”
44. Andrew – “strong,” “manly,” “courageous.”
45. Joshua – “lord is salvation”
46. Samuel – “heard God” or “asked of God.”
47. Hunter – “one who hunts”
48. Anthony – “Priceless”
49. Julian – “Bearded, father of the skies”
50. Dominic – “belonging to God”
51. Christian – “”Follower of Christ.”
52. Levi – “joined in harmony.”
53. John – “God is gracious”
54. Joseph – “God shall add (another son)”
55. Colton – “Town of colt-breeding”
56. Isaiah – “salvation of the lord”
57. Max – “greatest”
58. Ian – “god is gracious”
59. Evan – “God is gracious”
60. Adam – “Red earth”
61. Thomas – “a twin”
62. Gavin – “white hawk.”
63. Aaron – “enlightened”
64. Jonathan – “god gives”
65. Lincoln – “Lithe”
66. Christopher – “Christ-bearer”
67. Miles – “soldier”
68. Leo – “lion”
69. Nolan – “famous, noble”
70. Parker – “park keeper”
71. Hudson – “son of Hudde”
72. Adrian – “Dark one”
73. Josiah – “Fire of the Lord”
74. Austin – “Majestic dignity”
75. Cooper – “Barrel maker”
76. Carson – “Son of Carr”
77. Chase – “Hunter”
78. Tyler – “maker of bricks or tiles”
79. Jason – “healer”
80. Zachary – “remembered by God”
81. Charlie – “free”
82. Jeremiah – “exalted of the lord”
83. Alex – “defender of men.”
84. Jordan – “descending”
85. Mateo – “gift of god”
86. Tristan – “The loud one”
87. Asher – “happy” or “blessed.”
88. Camden – “Winding valley”
89. Xavier – “saviour”
90. Easton – “east”
91. Micah – “who is like God?”
92. Cole – “Victory of the people”
93. Declan – “man of prayer” or “full of goodness.”
94. Nathaniel – “gift of god”
95. Brody – “ditch”
96. Blake – “Dark, Fair”
97. Ezra – “Helper”
98. Damian – “Tamer”
99. Xander – “Protector of men”
100. Elliot – “Lord is my God”

Top 100 Girls names in 2015

1. Sophia – “wisdom”
2. Emma – “whole” or “universal”
3. Olivia – “olive tree”
4. Ava – “bird”, “life” or “living one”
5. Mia – “mine” or “wished-for child.”
6. Isabella – “devoted to God”
7. Zoe – “life”
8. Lily – “pure”
9. Emily – “striving,” “eager.”
10. Madison – “gift from God”, “strong figher”
11. Amelia – “industrious” and “striving.”
12. Riley – “wood clearing.”
13. Madelyn – “high tower.”
14. Charlotte – “petite” and “feminine.”
15. Chloe – “blooming” or “young green shoot.”
16. Aubrey – “blond ruler”, “elf ruler”
17. Aria – “air”, “lion of God”
18. Layla – “wine,” “intoxication,” “night,” or “dark beauty.”
19. Avery – “wise”: in French, “ruling with elf-wisdom”; in English, “counselor.”
20. Abigail – “The father’s joy”
21. Harper – “harp player”
22. Kaylee – “keeper of the keys: pure”
23. Aaliyah – “Exalted”
24. Evelyn – “life” or “living”
25. Adalyn – “noble”
26. Ella – “light.”, “beautiful fairy woman”
27. Arianna – “holy”
28. Hailey – “residing in a nook, recess, or remote valley”
29. Ellie – “Shining light,”
30. Nora – “honor”, “light”
31. Hannah – “favor” or “grace of God.”
32. Addison – “son of Adam”
33. Mackenzie – “comely.” It can also mean “child of the wise leader” and “born of fire.”
34. Brooklyn – “water, stream”
35. Scarlett – “bright red.”
36. Anna – “Gracious”
37. Mila – “industrious” and “hardworking”
38. Audrey – “noble strength.”
39. Isabelle – “God is my oath
40. Elizabeth – “Consecrated to God” or “my God is bountiful.”
41. Leah – “weary”
42. Sarah – “Princess”
43. Lillian – “innocence; purity; beauty”
44. Grace – “God’s grace,”
45. Natalie – “birthday” or “Christmas.”
46. Kylie – “handsome, near the chapel”
47. Lucy – “light”
48. Makayla – “who is like God”
49. Maya – “great” or “larger,” or sanskrit for “illusion”
50. Kaitlyn – “pure”
51. Victoria – “victory”
52. Elena – “light”
53. Lila – “night”
54. Maria – “bitter”
55. Savannah – “treeless plain”
56. Claire – “clear, bright”
57. Penelope – “weaver”
58. Alaina – “Rock, handsome”
59. Violet – “violet flower”
60. Kennedy – “helmeted chief.”
61. Gabriella – “Devoted to God”
62. Eliana – “Light, moon”
63. Skyler – “sky”
64. Paisley – “church, cemetery”
65. Camilla – “attendant”
66. Annabelle – “loving”
67. Adeline – “noble”
68. Stella – “a star”
69. Allison – “noble, kind”
70. Alice – “noble, kind”
71. Alyssa – “logical”
72. Liliana – “lily”
73. Reagan – “little ruler”
74. Charlie – “free”
75. Callie – “most beautiful”
76. Vivian – “full of life”
77. Jocelyn – “happy. joyful”
78. Samantha – “listener”
79. Caroline – “joyous song, pretty”
80. Eleanor – “bright, shining one.”
81. Julia – “downy-haired, youthful”
82. Sophie – “wisdom”
83. Sadie – “princess”
84. Peyton – “noble”
85. Cora – “filled heart”
86. Juliana – “downy-haired, youthful”
87. Eva – “life”
88. Keira – “dark-haired”
89. Hazel – “from the Hazel tree”
90. Kinsley – “kings meadow”
91. Clara – “Bright, clear”
92. Katherine – “Pure, Virginal”
93. Alexandra – “helper and defender of mankind”
94. Isla – “island”
95. London – “fierce”
96. Jordyn – “descend”
97. Kayla – “pure”
98. Bailey – “able”
99. Emery – “brave, powerful”
100. Taylor – “tailor”