Like fashion, food, and pretty much everything else, baby names come and go in popularity — but some classic monikers never go out of style. And now that the Social Security office has released its list of the most popular baby names of the year, you can see just how trendy — or timeless — your little one's name is!
Click through to find out what the top 21 names were for baby boys last year (spoiler alert: Biblical names were huge!). And be sure to check out our list of the year's most popular baby names for girls, too!
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1. Noah
Perfect for future veterinarians (or sailors?), this biblical name is "derived from the Hebrew nōach (rest, comfort)."
2. Liam
The Irish form of William, this comes with quite a noble meaning: "Resolute protector." (No pressure!)
3. Mason
Don't be surprised if your little Mason likes to play with rocks: This name comes from an English surname meaning "stoneworker."
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4. Jacob
Whether you go with Jacob or Jake, this name comes from the Hebrew Yaakov, which means "seizing by the heel, supplanting."
5. William
Sort of a compound word, William comes from the Old High German Willehelm, "composed from the elements willeo (will, determination) and helm (protection, helmet): hence, 'resolute protector.'" No wonder so many kings had this moniker!
6. Ethan
Talk about a lucky name: Ethan, a Latin name derived from the Hebrew ēthān, means "strength, firmness, long-lived."
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7. James
James, Jamie, Jimmy, Jim … they're all derivitaves of the Hebrew Yaakov (supplanting, seizing by the heel).
8. Alexander
Alexander the Great had a pretty, well, great name to live up to: This Greek name means "defender or helper of mankind."
9. Michael
Apparently Michael was an archangel for a reason: This name is derived from the Hebrew mīkhā’ē‘l, which means "Who is like God?"
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10. Benjamin
Another Hebrew-derived title, Benjamin means "son of the right hand." Plus, everybody knows it's all about the Benjamins!
11. Elijah
More than just the name of the guy who played Frodo, Elijah is derived from the Hebrew 'ēlīyāhū (Jehovah is God).
12. Daniel
In the Bible, Daniel was saved from the lion by his faith — maybe that's why in Hebrew, this name means "God is my judge."
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13. Aiden
Expect the toddler years to be especially wild if you name your son Aiden: This anglicized version of the Irish Aodhan means "little fiery one."
14. Logan
We love the Irish name Logan, even if we are a little confused by the meaning: "Dweller at a little hollow."
15. Matthew
Proof that your little guy is Heaven sent: Derived from Hebrew, Matthew means "gift of God."
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16. Lucas
Here's a name you can play "choose your own meaning" with: Lucas is thought to be derived from either the Latin name Lucius, which is from the root lux (light), or the Ecclesiastic Greek Loukas, a contraction of Loukanos (man from Lucania).
18. David
The definition of David is about as sweet as it gets: From the Hebrew dāvīd, it means "beloved." Awww!
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19. Oliver
Another name with two possible definitions, Oliver means either "olive tree" from the Old French "Olivier" or "elf army" (of Germanic origin). "Elf army" is pretty cool, right?
20. Jayden
Thought to be a cross between Aidan and Jacob, the popularity of Jayden is considered to be largely due to Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's son.
21. Joseph
Since Joseph was a pretty major character in the Bible, it's no surprise that this one comes from the Hebrew yōsēf (may he add, God shall add).
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