For those who didn't know, the Social Security Administration keeps track of the most popular baby names for every decade. And for new parents who have not decided on a name yet, sometimes looking at popular names from previous years can give some really great baby name ideas. For families that are expecting a girl, there are tons of classic options that were really popular in the 2000s — and are still commonly used and loved today. (For those who are expecting a boy then check out this list.) A lot of these names have been around for a long time, while some didn't take off in the US until the 1990s and 2000s.
Most of these popular 2000s names are feminine, classic, and easy to spell. A lot of them have Greek or Hebrew origins, including a couple biblical names like Abigail and Sarah. Some gained popularity through popular culture. For example, in 2002, Rachel and Ross had their daughter Emma on the hit show Friends. Due to the show's popularity, it is likely that the show is part of the reason that Emma was the third most popular name of the 2000s. Names like Isabella and Madison didn't peak in popularity until the mid to late 2000s and are still commonly chosen by new parents today. There are also a couple of unexpected top names of the 2000s, like Chloe and Ava. From baby girl names that have been around for more than a century to ones that didn't pop up until about 10 years ago, this list might just surprise a mom-to-be with the perfect name. Here are the 20 most popular baby girl names of the 2000s.
EMILY
The name Emily is the English version of the Latin name Aemilia. It is a short and cute name that is still commonly used.
MADISON
The name Madison peaked in popularity in 2005. The name has been used for both boys and girls over the years and is derived from the name Matthew ("gift of God").
EMMA
Emma spiked in popularity after it was used as the name for Ross and Rachel's daughter on the hit sitcom Friends. However, prior to the '90s and 2000s, the name originally peaked in the 1880s.
OLIVIA
The name Olivia comes from an olive tree. The name was used by Shakespeare as the name of the heiress in the play Twelfth Night, according to Baby Name Wizard.
HANNAH
Hannah is a Hebrew name that was used in the Bible. The meaning of the name is "favor, grace, mercy."
ABIGAIL
Abigail is also a Hebrew name. In the Bible, Abigail is King David's third wife. Because she describes herself as a handmaid, the name has been often used for maids in literature.
ISABELLA
Isabella is a Spanish variant of Elizabeth. The name didn't peak in popularity until 2010. It remains a popular name choice for millennial parents.
SAMANTHA
The name Samantha is believed to have originated in the southern US in the 19th century. Samantha was the name of one of the original American Girl dolls, which were still pretty popular in the '90s and early 2000s, when the name peaked in popularity.
ELIZABETH
According to BNW, Elizabeth is derived from the Hebrew elīsheba' ("God is my oath"). It has been commonly used since the 1880s.
ASHLEY
The name Ashley didn't really pop up in the US until the 1980s. Ashley was originally a boys' name in England, but it's now predominately female in Great Britain and the US. The early 2000s were also a big time for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
ALEXIS
Alexis is derived from the Greek work alexein, meaning "to defend, to help." It peaked in popularity in the '90s and has remained a pretty common name.
SARAH
Sarah is a Hebrew name that means "princess." As another biblical name, it has remained popular throughout the years.
SOPHIA
Sophia is a Greek name meaning "wisdom, skill." It is even more popular today than it was in the early 2000s. Teen Mom's Farrah Abraham named her daughter Sophia in 2009, there has been a Disney cartoon made about a Princess Sofia, and there are a few celebrities as well including Sophia Bush and Sophía Vergara.
ALYSSA
Alyssa is a variant of Alicia (meaning "nobility"). The name didn't gain popularity until the 1990s, but it remains popular.
GRACE
The name Grace has been used since the 1800s and was made popular by the Puritans. It comes from the word grace, meaning "eloquence or beauty of form, kindness, mercy, favor."
AVA
People are uncertain of the origin or meaning of the name Ava. The short and sweet name didn't peak in popularity until 2007.
TAYLOR
The name Taylor is derived from the profession of tailor, with a French meaning of "to cut." Singer Taylor Swift released her debut album in 2006, which could have contributed to the name's steady popularity.
BRIANNA
According to Baby Name Wizard, Brianna is the feminine form of Brian, which is believed to be of Celtic origin and means "strength."
LAUREN
Lauren is a popular name of Latin origin. A well-known 2000s celebrity with the name is Lauren Graham, who played Lorelai on Gilmore Girls from 2000 to 2007.
CHLOE
The last name on the list is Chloe. In 2001, there was a popular Bratz doll with that name. Chloe is a Greek name that means "blooming, verdant."
