If you walk into any American preschool right now and yell "Liam," half the class will probably turn around. It's just a fact. For years, we've seen a massive shift in how parents choose a male name in the USA, moving away from the "John and Bill" era of the mid-20th century into something much more melodic and, frankly, vowel-heavy.
Choosing a name used to be about tradition. You named your kid after your dad, who was named after his dad, and so on until everyone in the family tree was named Robert.
Things are different now.
Today, the Social Security Administration (SSA) data acts like a giant scoreboard for cultural trends. We aren't just looking for "strong" names anymore. We're looking for names that feel unique but not too weird, names that look good on a resume but sound cute on a toddler. It's a weirdly high-stakes balancing act that every new parent has to perform.
The Liam vs. Noah Showdown
For the better part of the last decade, the race for the most popular male name in the USA has been a two-horse race. Liam and Noah. That’s basically it. Liam took the top spot in 2017 and hasn't let go, except for a few brief moments where Noah threatened to reclaim the throne.
Why Liam?
Honestly, it’s the perfect storm of phonetics. It starts with a soft "L," has two distinct syllables, and ends with a gentle "m." It feels Irish but not too foreign. It’s short. It’s easy to spell. It’s also a "gentle" name, which is a massive trend in masculinity right now. We’ve moved past the era where a boy’s name had to sound like a punch in the gut.
Noah, on the other hand, has this biblical weight without being "preachy." It’s an ancient name that feels incredibly modern because of that "ah" ending. In the past, names ending in vowels were often reserved for girls—think Anna, Sarah, or Maria. But Noah broke that barrier for boys, paving the way for other vowel-heavy hits like Luca, Ezra, and Elijah.
Interestingly, if you look at the SSA data from the 1950s, the top names were Michael, James, and Robert. Those names haven't disappeared—James is actually seeing a huge resurgence—but they no longer have the monopoly they once did. People want a bit more "flavor" now.
The "Grandpa" Name Renaissance
You’ve probably noticed that a lot of babies today sound like they should be playing bridge in a retirement home. Theodore. Oliver. Arthur. Henry.
📖 Related: False eyelashes before and after: Why your DIY sets never look like the professional photos
This is what researchers call the "100-Year Rule."
Basically, it takes about a century for a name to go from "cool" to "dated" to "old person" and finally back to "vintage-chic." We’ve reached the point where the names of our great-great-grandparents feel fresh again. Henry is a massive powerhouse right now. It’s classic, royal, and fits that "soft-masculinity" vibe perfectly.
Theodore—often shortened to Theo or the ever-popular Teddy—is another one that’s skyrocketed. It’s currently sitting comfortably in the top 10. It’s a bit longer, giving it a sense of gravitas, but the nicknames make it accessible. It's the kind of name that works for a Supreme Court Justice or a professional skateboarder.
Why the sudden nostalgia?
Maybe it’s a reaction to the digital age. In a world of AI and hyper-fast tech, there’s something grounding about a name that was around before the lightbulb was invented. Parents are looking for "anchor names."
But don't think these names are exactly as they were in 1910. We’re seeing variations. Instead of Charles, people are going for Charlie. Instead of Jackson (which exploded in the 2010s), they’re moving toward more traditional spellings or similar-sounding alternatives like Hudson or Brooks.
The Influence of the Screen (and the Field)
Pop culture is the ultimate naming engine. It’s subtle, though. People don't usually name their kid exactly after a character because that feels a bit tacky, but the sound of the name gets stuck in their subconscious.
Take the name "Kylo." Before Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it wasn't even on the radar. Suddenly, it jumped hundreds of spots. Or "Dutton," which has seen a spike thanks to the show Yellowstone.
Sports also play a huge role. In 2024 and 2025, we saw a noticeable uptick in names like "Shohei" in specific regions of the US, obviously influenced by Shohei Ohtani’s historic baseball run. But more often, it's the surnames of athletes that become first names.
- Brady (Tom Brady)
- Beckham (David Beckham)
- Kobe (Kobe Bryant)
These names carry a "winner" energy that parents find irresistible. It’s not just about the person; it’s about the brand of excellence that the name represents.
👉 See also: Exactly What Month is Ramadan 2025 and Why the Dates Shift
Regional Quirks: It's Not the Same Everywhere
If you think the whole country is naming their kids Liam, you’re only half right. The most common male name in the USA varies wildly once you start looking at state-level data.
In the South, you still see a lot of double names and "surname-as-first-name" choices. Names like Wyatt, Waylon, and Maverick are huge in Texas and Tennessee. These are "cowboy" names. They feel rugged. They feel like they belong on a porch with a glass of sweet tea.
Compare that to the Northeast, where you see more traditional, "Ivy League" style names. Benjamin, Alexander, and Sebastian rule the roost in places like Massachusetts and New York. These are names with multiple syllables that sound sophisticated.
Then you have the West Coast, where "nature" names are carving out a significant niche. River, Forest, and even names like Orion are more common in Oregon and Washington than they are in the Midwest. It’s a reflection of the environment.
The Rise of Gender-Neutral-ish Names
We’re also seeing a blurring of the lines. Names that were once strictly male or female are now migrating.
Take "James." It’s still a top 5 male name in the USA, but it’s becoming increasingly popular as a middle name for girls. Conversely, names like "Ezra" or "Asher," which have a softer, almost poetic quality, are being embraced for boys in ways they wouldn't have been thirty years ago.
This isn't just a trend; it's a shift in how we view gender roles. We aren't as obsessed with "tough" names for boys anymore. We’re okay with "beautiful" names for boys. "Julian" and "Adrian" are perfect examples of this. They are classic, but they have a certain elegance that deviates from the "rock-crushing" masculinity of names like Hunter or Gunner (which, by the way, are actually falling in popularity).
What’s Dropping Off?
While Liam and Noah are partying at the top, some old favorites are packing their bags.
"Michael" is the biggest story here. From 1954 to 1998, Michael was the #1 name for almost every single year. It was the undisputed king. Today? It’s still in the top 20, but it’s slowly sliding down the list. It’s becoming a "Dad name."
✨ Don't miss: Dutch Bros Menu Food: What Most People Get Wrong About the Snacks
The same goes for Matthew, Christopher, and Joshua. These names defined the 80s and 90s. Now, they feel a bit like a faded denim jacket. They aren't "bad" names—they’re just resting. They’ll probably be back in 2080 when the 100-year cycle resets.
Interestingly, "Aiden" and the "aden" suffix craze (Jayden, Kayden, Brayden) has finally cooled off. It was a massive trend in the early 2010s, but it became so ubiquitous that it started to feel generic. Parents are now moving toward names with more distinct endings.
Actionable Insights for Choosing a Name
If you're currently staring at a list of names and feeling overwhelmed, you aren't alone. The pressure is real. Here is how to actually navigate the current landscape of names in the USA:
Check the "Social Security Popularity" tool Don't just look at the top 10. Look at the "velocity" of a name. Is it jumping 50 spots a year? If so, it might be the next "Liam," and your kid will be one of four in his class. If you want something unique, look for names in the 200–500 range.
Say it out loud—loudly You’re going to be yelling this name across a playground or a grocery store for the next decade. Does it sound like a command? Does it get lost in the wind? A name like "Luke" is sharp and carries well. A name like "Arlo" is softer.
Consider the "Initials" trap It sounds silly, but people forget. If your last name starts with 'S' and you name your kid "Andrew August," his initials are AAS. Not the end of the world, but something to think about.
The Resume Test vs. The Starbucks Test A name should work for an adult, but it also shouldn't be a nightmare to spell for a barista. If you choose a unique spelling like "Mykal" instead of "Michael," just know your kid will be spelling it out for people for the rest of his life.
Look at the "Meaning" but don't obsess Most people choose names based on sound, but if the meaning matters to you, check it. "Calvin" means "bald," and "Cameron" means "crooked nose." Does it matter? Probably not, but it’s a fun dinner party fact.
The most important thing to remember is that popularity isn't a bad thing. Names like Liam and Noah are popular because they are objectively good names. They sound nice, they are easy to say, and they fit the vibe of 2026. Whether you go with a classic like James or something trendy like Elias, the "best" name is ultimately the one that feels right when you finally see your kid's face.
The data tells us what everyone else is doing, but it doesn't tell you what you should do. Use the lists as a guide, not a rulebook. After all, the next "big name" is always just one creative parent away from taking off.