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The 2000s ushered in a whole new millennium! And with it, the digital age dawned—one full of flip phones, meticulously maintained MySpace pages, and closets full of tube tops and trucker hats. And as the rise of jeans crept lower and lower, a new generation of baby names climbed higher and higher, too (hello, Olivia!).

Wondering which names topped the charts of the early aughts? Slip into your comfiest velour track suit and get ready to take in the most popular baby names of the 2000s.

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    1. Jacob: A total classic—and yet very of its time! Could it be a coincidence that the same Gen-Xers who grew up swooning over Sixteen Candles’ dreamy Jake Ryan spawned nearly 300,000 Jacobs (and nearly 200,000 Ryans) over the course of the decade? The Hebrew name meaning "supplanter” ruled the 2000s like no other.

    2. Michael: The perennial 20th-century chart-topper meaning "who is like God?" maintained its mojo after the turn of the century.

    3. Joshua: There’s a strong biblical name representation at the top of this list—and Joshua is no exception. Meaning "the Lord is my salvation," Joshua kept its strong Good Book presence going strong.

    4. Matthew: After holding onto the #3 spot in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Matt’s popularity dipped a mite in the 2000s.

    5. Daniel: Another biblical powerhouse, this one signifies "God is my judge." A go-to for parents who love tradition.

    6. Christopher: A variant of the Greek name Christophoros, this name stayed strong despite its ‘90s peak.

    7. Andrew: "Manly" and brave, Andrew has been a steady fave throughout the years.

    8. Ethan: This name shot up in the rankings! Meaning "strong" or "firm," Ethan was everywhere in the 2000s. (And, spoiler alert: It only grew more popular in the 2010s!)

    9. Joseph: A tried-and-true pick, meaning "he will add." You can never go wrong with Joe!

    10. William: Though by the 2020s, William would be outranked by its diminuative, Liam, the 2000s were good to this regal classic meaning "resolute protector." (Peep more baby names meaning guardian!)

    11. Anthony: Meaning "priceless one," parents have valued this baby name for decades.

    12. David: Another rock-solid pick, meaning "beloved." David has slipped down the list a touch, but never really goes out of style.

    13. Alexander: Meaning "defender of the people," this name is as strong as they come! (See more strong baby names!)

    14. Nicholas: "Victory of the people" is a fitting meaning for this winning name.

    15. Ryan: "Little king" in Irish, Ryan kept its cool-kid status in the 2000s.

    16. Tyler: Meaning "tile maker," Tyler was the name for a generation of skater kids and athletes alike.

    17. James: A forever-classic, meaning "supplanter." You can never go wrong with James!

    18. John: Short, sweet, and endlessly classic. This name means "God is gracious."

    19. Jonathan: Another staple, meaning "gift of God." Jonathan puts a twist on John.

    20. Noah: This gentle yet strong name, meaning "rest" or "comfort," was on the rise in the 2000s. (Perhaps parents were paying tribute to Noah Wyle, who starred in ER—the top network drama of the late ‘90s!)

    21. Brandon: A holdover from the 90s, meaning "hill covered with broom." Brandon had a good run!

    22. Christian: Meaning "follower of Christ," Christian kept its steady appeal.

    23. Dylan: A poetic, nature-inspired name meaning "son of the sea."

    24. Samuel: A solid, warm choice, meaning "heard by God."

    25. Benjamin: "Son of the right hand," Benjamin was a 200s go-to for parents looking for a classic but approachable name.
    1. Emily: The girl name of the 2000s! Meaning "rival" or "industrious," Emily was everywhere—and still holds up.

    2. Madison: Originally a surname, but legend has it that this name took off thanks to the 1984 flick Splash.

    3. Emma: Another 2000s baby name that may have gotten a friendly lift from pop culture! Emma sat outside the top 15 for years, but after “The One Where Rachel Has a Baby” aired in 2002, it leapt into the top 3, where it’s remained to this day. A sweet and timeless choice, meaning "universal."

    4. Olivia: It’s difficult to remember a time when Olivia wasn’t a dominant girl name, but the ladylike moniker didn’t crack the top 10 until the year 2000. But once it did, it stayed strong, holding onto the top spot from 2019 until today.

    5. Hannah: This gentle, classic name means "grace" or "favor."

    6. Abigail: "My father’s joy"—Abigail is warm, friendly, and full of charm.

    7. Isabella: This name was already climbing the charts before leaping into the top 5 following the publication of the Twilight series, which, of course introduced the world to Bella Swan!

    8. Samantha: A sophisticated yet approachable name, meaning "listener."

    9. Elizabeth: A royal and versatile name, meaning "pledged to God."

    10. Ashley: A 90s-to-2000s staple, meaning "ash tree meadow."
    11. Alexis: Meaning "defender," this name manages to be both modern and enduring.

    12. Sarah: Buy the 2000s, the forever-favorite meaning "princess" was actually on the decline from its heyday in previous decades, eventually landing outside the top 50 by the 2010s.

    13. Sophia: Like other girl names ending in a (think: Emma, Olivia, and Mia) Sophia carved out a spot in parents hearts after the turn of the century.

    14. Alyssa: The lyrical name peaked in the early 2000s before tumbling far down the list in the 2010s.

    15. Grace:  Simple, classic, and elegant. Grace never goes out of style. (Check out more baby names meaning grace!)

    16. Ava: Short, sweet, and full of old-Hollywood charm, the 2000s were just a warmup for this name that has stuck around in the top 10 since 2005. It means "life" or "bird."

    17. Taylor: Originally an occupational name, Taylor’s popularity hit a high note in the 1990s, but remained trendy in the 2000s.

    18. Brianna: A strong yet feminine name meaning "noble" or "strong."

    19. Lauren: Meaning "from Laurentum," Lauren was effortlessly cool in the 2000s.

    20. Chloe: A fresh and vibrant pick meaning "blooming."

    21. Natalie: Meaning "born on Christmas Day," Natalie was clearly given to babies born on lots of different days in the 2000s, when it enjoyed a solid run in the top 20.

    22. Kayla: A 90s and 2000s name of modern invention, Kayla had a soft and playful appeal.

    23. Jessica: Still hanging onto its ‘90s glory days, Jessica barely slipped into the top 25 (though by the end of the decade it was barely in the top 100).

    24. Anna: Simple, timeless, and elegant, Anna has never gone out of style.

    25. Victoria: Meaning "victory," Victoria has an air of sophistication and strength.

    More Baby Name Inspiration:

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    Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.