The 20 Most Popular Baby Names Of 2015

BabyCenter has released its annual list.
|
Open Image Modal
Big Cheese Photo via Getty Images

As we enter the last month of 2015, BabyCenter has released its annual list of the most popular baby names. For the third year in a row, the top three names are Sophia, Emma and Olivia for girls and Jackson, Aiden and Liam for boys. 

The 2015 list of popular girl names is mostly the same as last year's -- though Mia has surpassed Isabella for the number five spot, and Madison replaced Madelyn at number 10. The only change on the top 10 boys' names list is Logan's new ranking at number nine, bumping Jacob down to the bottom.

Without further ado, here are the complete rankings, based on the names of over 340,000 babies born in 2015 to parents registered on the BabyCenter website. The data also combines alternative spellings of the names that sound the same.

Most Popular Girl Names

  1. Sophia
  2. Emma
  3. Olivia
  4. Ava
  5. Mia
  6. Isabella
  7. Zoe
  8. Lily
  9. Emily
  10. Madison

Most Popular Boy Names

  1. Jackson
  2. Aiden
  3. Liam
  4. Lucas
  5. Noah
  6. Mason
  7. Ethan
  8. Caden
  9. Logan
  10. Jacob

In addition to compiling the popularity lists, BabyCenter also conducted its annual Baby Names Survey and identified five notable trends in parents' habits.

Royalty

Open Image Modal
Handout via Getty Images

BabyCenter found an interesting "royalty" trend beyond names like George and Charlotte. Many royal title-themed names rose in the popularity rankings, with Duchess up 75 percent, Sultan up 26 percent, King up 10 percent and Princess up 22 percent. Other royal word names that skyrocketed in popularity include Royalty, which increased 90 percent, Reign (a Kardashian name), which jumped up 90 percent and Tiara, up 20 percent.

Instagram

Open Image Modal
KAREN BLEIER via Getty Images

Another interesting trend the survey found is that the names of Instagram filters are rising in popularity. Examples include Lux (up 75 percent since 2014), Ludwig (up 42 percent), Amaro (up 26 percent), Reyes (up 10 percent), Hudson (up 4 percent) and Kelvin (up 3 percent). "Filter names" on the rise for girls include Juno (up 30 percent), Valencia (up 26 percent) and Willow (up 13 percent).

“This is the first time we’ve seen technology break through as a source of name inspiration,” BabyCenter Editor-in-Chief Linda Murray said in the press release for the 2015 rankings. “Photo-sharing is a daily and emotional part of Millennials’ lives, and those two ingredients can trigger love for a name.”

The "Empire" Effect

Open Image Modal
FOX via Getty Images

Based on the BabyCenter survey, character names from the hit show "Empire" have risen rapidly on the popularity charts, with Dre up 77 percent, Lyon up 61 percent and Hakeem up 55 percent. For the first time in three years, the name Luscious appeared in the website's name database as well.

Gender Neutral Baby Names

Open Image Modal
JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images

Many rising baby names were those considered more gender-neutral and jumped up on the boy and girl lists. Celebrity favorite Wyatt went up 84 percent for girls and 11 percent for boys, Lincoln is up 47 percent for girls and 18 percent for boys, Carson increased 39 percent for girls and 14 percent for boys, and Karter went up 45 percent for girls and 9 percent for boys.

Additionally, Piper is up 61 percent for boys, Maxwell increased 39 percent for girls, and Riley went up 48 percent for girls.

Planets And Stars

Open Image Modal
Frank Pali via Getty Images

Celestial names are on the rise, with Venus up 68 percent, Jupiter up 50 percent, Soleil up 28 percent and Sunny up 43 percent. The name Stella, which means "star," is on the top 100 baby names of the year list.

"In the sixties, celestial baby names had a hippy vibe, but today’s parents are more inspired by planetary science and space travel," said Murray.

Also on HuffPost:

What Autism Means
(01 of26)
Open Image Modal
At first autism meant "scary" to our family. As time went on autism became normal. The littlest things like your child eating a new food puts you in a good mood and warrants a brag post on Facebook! (credit:Andrea Reynolds)
(02 of26)
Open Image Modal
It means seeing the world through a different set of lenses. (credit:Aimee Heintz)
(03 of26)
Open Image Modal
It would take at least a dozen pictures. Him reading a book at 3-years-old, even though no one taught him how. Crying because the sun hurts his eyes or his brothers were just too loud. Laughing. Snuggling. Riding his bike. He has taught us so much. He is truly our sunshine. (credit:Erika Strojny Myers)
(04 of26)
Open Image Modal
Our daughter has Down syndrome and autism and is a small piece of the puzzle. Autism means a little more unique than the rest... (credit:Liz O'Neill DeSantis)
(05 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism is enjoying swings, rides and slides! (credit:Bree Beers)
(06 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means your child can be your hero. (credit:Nikki Walling)
(07 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism to me means cherishing every milestone, every bite of food, every babble, every time my son points to something to share interest, every hug, every kiss. We rejoiced when he would tolerate eating a sucker! It was a big deal! Literally every moment or stride brings me joy and hope. (credit:Denisse Edwards)
(08 of26)
Open Image Modal
To our family autism means compassion and patience. It inspires me to see the uniqueness in all children, even "typical" kids. (credit:Timil Jones)
(09 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means building from our strengths and what brings us joy. (credit:Johannah Maynard Edwards)
(10 of26)
Open Image Modal
Taking family vacations like everyone else. (credit:Autumn J)
(11 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means that moments like these are rare and treasured and completely unforgettable. (credit:Leah Soderberg)
(12 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means looking at the world through a magnificent set of lenses that only he can provide. (credit:Megan Kuecher)
(13 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism is celebrating the accomplishments that others overlook -- even something as simple as touching sand! (credit:Karen LaSalle)
(14 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means sometimes she wants a big hug -- just not from her mommy. Autism means understanding all her nonverbal cues and never taking it personally. (credit:Carey Struss Pruett)
(15 of26)
Open Image Modal
It means never having the socially accepted "appropriate" answer, but always being a delightful surprise and a ray of fresh sunshine. Also it means hating babies but loving his little brother unconditionally. (credit:Tricia Lewis)
(16 of26)
Open Image Modal
It means taking a completely different path on the journey you had in your mind, all while learning that beauty is nothing like you ever imagined, it's better. (credit:Amanda Webster)
(17 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism to us means knowing that not everyone will understand and that's OK. (credit:Aleana Lopez)
(18 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means learning and changing. I never expected to be here, but I will do everything I can to help my son. (credit:Nicole Baum)
(19 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means that it's not going to be how I thought it would be. It means taking a different path than most. It means I will hold his hand and walk with him through whatever struggle we face or success we have. (credit:Amanda Gutierrez-Taylor)
(20 of26)
Open Image Modal
Autism means finding joy in each and every accomplishment! Autism means challenges, loving so much it hurts, growth, setbacks, memorizing every line from a movie, picky eating, laughing, innocence. This kid's future is so bright that he needs his shades indoors. (credit:Megan O'Neill)
(21 of26)
Open Image Modal
It means the rules change every day, food usually doesn't get eaten, and I was lucky enough to give birth to the bravest Superman I've ever known. (credit:Dympna Calandro)
(22 of26)
Open Image Modal
To us, autism means not assuming that ASD kids are unhappy or un-bonded to their families. Drew is the sweetest, kindest, most loving little boy. In our life, autism means getting stuck in every entrance door because Drew has a fixation on doors. It also means protecting our sweet baby from the mean people who have cussed at him when he's had a meltdown in public. (credit:Jackelyn Eller)
(23 of26)
Open Image Modal
It's about living out loud; he never censors himself to make anyone feel more comfortable, he is unapologetically himself. When you're a freshman and your sister is a senior and she takes you as her date to the winter formal, that's a pretty fantastic thing. Sure, he may have both Down syndrome AND autism, but he's also got some killer dance moves; neither diagnosis defines him. (credit:Jayne Schroeder)
(24 of26)
Open Image Modal
It means we learn to take on this crazy world in a whole different way together, we teach each other and the people around us to think and learn a different and unique way. My favorite saying: " I would not change you for the world, but I would change the world for you" (credit:Jess Winter Rivers)
(25 of26)
Open Image Modal
I believe autism means to have more patience and be more patient and to have an open mind for new ideas to overcome challenges. I believe every child has a story, they are unique and beautiful in their special ways. (credit:Michelle Lora)
(26 of26)
Open Image Modal
We are a military family with two beautiful boys on the spectrum and to us autism is just love. (credit:Jessi Henry)

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE