The 20 most popular baby names in the United States right now

Every year, the Social Security Administration puts out its top 10 list of the most popular names for American boys and girls. For babies born in 2019, Liam and Olivia reigned supreme… or did they?

It turns out that the list isn't taking into consideration one key component of a baby name: how to spell it. It's called the Playground Analysis, and if you've ever called your little Olivia on the playground and had a little Alivia (or Alivya) come running instead, you'll get why.

Nameberry.com crunched the numbers and found that two totally different names were actually the most common in 2019: Sophia and Jackson. Or should we say Sofia and Jaxon? Or Sofiya and Jaxsyn? Jackson didn't make the SSA's top 10 list at all—but 9 different spelling variations propelled it to Nameberry's top spot.

Sophia, meanwhile, clocks in at number four on the SSA list, while Sofia stands at number 17. Combine them and you've got a lot of little girls who are going to have to use their last initial once they enter school in a few years.

Other baby girl names saw even bigger jumps up Nameberry's list. Adeline, for example, hops from the 91st spot on the SSA list all the way into Nameberry's top 10. It makes total sense when you consider there are so many different ways to spell it: Adalynn, Adelynne, Adilene, to name just a few. Nameberry tracked almost 20 alternate spellings that parents have come up with.

Among boy names, Aiden shot up the popularity rankings on the strength of more than a dozen different spellings (Aidan, Ayden, Aden, Adin, etc.), from 20 on the SSA list to 4 on Nameberry's. Variants of the similar-sounding Kayden saw a big jump too, pushing it from 97 all the way up to number 12.

Here's Nameberry's full list, including the position each name held on the SSA list in parenthesis.

Boys

1. Jackson (17)
2. Liam (1)
3. Noah (2)
4. Aiden (20)
5. Lucas (8)
6. Elijah (5)
7. Oliver (3)
8. Grayson (33)
9. William (4)
10. James (6)

Girls

1. Sophia (4)
2. Olivia (1)
3. Amelia (7)
4. Emma (2)
5. Ava (3)
6. Isabella (5)
7. Aria (20)
8. Charlotte (6)
9. Mia(8)
10. Adeline (91)

Find the sweetest gifts to celebrate your new arrival in the Motherly Shop!

Sunday Citizen snug-as-a-bug gift set

Crafted from Sunday Citizen's classic super soft snug fabric, the snug blanket keeps baby warm and cozy while the photo-worthy hat features ears so cute we can barely stand it.

$55

Buy Now

Mary Meyer putty sloth plush

A snuggly first friend who couldn't be cuter! The heirloom quality plush from Mary Meyer is buttery soft and baby-safe with embroidered features and can even be tossed in the washing machine when it needs a little freshening up.

$15

Buy Now

Little Giraffe luxe baby blanket

Little Giraffe best-selling Luxe™ Baby Blanket is the softest, most luxurious baby blanket available. Chic faux fur and signature satin border make this a special gift for baby (and modern mamas)! They'll treasure this super soft baby blanket forever.

$92

Buy Now

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this.