2008’s Most Popular Baby Names

What’s in a name? Plenty! Just ask Apple, Moxie Crimefighter or Jermajesty (that’s the name Jermaine Jackson filled out on his child’s birth certificate – yep, really). To me, our new president seems to be proof that there’s wisdom in choosing a name based on its meaning. (Barack means “blessed,” Hussein means “handsome one,” and by all accounts, he is both of those things.)

Whether you want a timeless and elegant moniker for your new little bundle of joy, or something funky, fresh and totally unique, choosing a baby name is a very special responsibility. Still, it’s one that should be fun! And whether you choose a name with family in mind, for personal significance, or just because you like the sound, inspiration is almost always abounds.
Here are last year’s most popular names, based on several online surveys from national parenting publications and Web sites, along with their meanings, according to BabyNames.com:

Top 10 Names for Boys
1. Aidan/Aiden/Aden/Adan : “little fire,” Irish in origin.
2. Ethan : “firm, strong,” Hebrew.
3. Caden/Kaden/Cayden/Kayden : “fighter,” American.
4. Jacob : “supplanter,” Hebrew.
5. Michael : “who is like God?,” Hebrew.
6. Caleb/Kaleb : “rage like a dog,” Hebrew. (Yikes!)
7. James : “supplanter,” Hebrew.
8. Alexander : “defender of the people,” Greek.
9. Liam : “strong-willed warrior,” Irish.
10. Lucas/Lukas : “from Lucania,” Greek.

Top 10 Names for Girls
1. Isabella/Izabella : “God is my oath,” Italian.
2. Ava : “like a bird,” Latin.
3. Ella : “young girl,” Spanish.
4. Emily : “to strive or excel,” English.
5. Abigail : “joy of the Father,” Hebrew.
6. Madeline/Madelyn/Madeleine : “woman of Magdala,” English.
7. Madison : “son of Matthew,” English. (This was originally a surname.)
8. Emma : “universal,” Latin.
9. Olivia : “elf army,” English. (So, which name means “hobbit gang”?)
10. Sophia/Sofia : “wisdom,” Greek.

Amy Crelly is Sacramento Parent Magazine's Editor. She loves it when review copies of kooky books land on her desk, like Sci-Fi Baby Names: 500 Out-of-this-World Baby Names, from Anakin to Zardoz. No kidding.