50 Most Popular Baby Girl Names of 2020
In October, BabyCenter released its list of most popular baby girl names of 2020. And there are no surprises again this year — with Sophia ranking No. 1 for the 11th time in a row.
Using data from more than 520,000 parents, the list is the latest reference for those interested in all things baby. While, yes, Sophia, Olivia and Emma continue to rule the top five, Riley managed to rise six spots into No. 3.
What else made the cut this year?
Sophia
It’s no surprise that Sophia continues to rule the list, as it’s Greek for “wisdom.”
Common Variants: Sophie, Sofia
Olivia
This feminine form of Oliver means “olive tree.”
Famous Olivias: Singer Olivia Newton-John
Riley
This name comes from an Old English word that means “wood clearing.”
Other Spellings: Reilly
Emma
This name is popular across the globe, which makes its meaning of “whole” or “universal” rather fitting.
Famous Emmas: Actresses Emma Thompson, Emma Stone and Emma Watson
Ava
A variation of Eve, this name comes from the Latin “avis,” which means “bird.”
Famous Avas: Actress Ava Gardner
Isabella
This royal baby name is a variation of Elizabeth and means “devoted to God” in Hebrew.
Common Nicknames: Bella, Izzy, Izzie
Aria
A musical name, Aria is a solo in an opera and happens to be Italian for “air.”
Other Spellings: Arya
Aaliyah
This Arabic name means “exalted.”
Famous Aaliyahs: Singer Aaliyah
Amelia
Of Latin origin, Amelia means “industrious” or “striving.”
Common Variants: Emilia, Amalia
Mia
Another name of Latin origin, Mia means “mine” or “wished-for child.”
Common Variants: Maria, Mila
Layla
It’s basically impossible not to think of Eric Clapton’s hit song of the same name. Layla is an Arabic name that can mean “wine,” “intoxication,” “night” or “dark beauty.”
Other Spellings: Leila
Zoe
Another Greek name, Zoe means “life.” In fact, Eve was actually named Zoe in the Greek translation of the Bible.
Famous Zoes: Actresses Zooey Deschanel and Zoe Saldana
Camilla
The name Camilla means “attendant” in Latin.
Common Variants: Camila, Camille
Charlotte
The nickname, Charlie, appears later on this list, but there’s also Charlotte for those who prefer the more formal variant of this French baby name.
It’s a feminine form of “Charles” and means “petite” and “feminine.”
Famous Charlottes: Novelist Charlotte Bronte
Eliana
Another French name, Eliana means “light, moon.”
Common Variants: Elena, Elliana, Ellie, Elaine
Mila
Mila means “industrious” and “hardworking” in Slavic as well as “dear one” in Russian.
Famous Milas: Actress Mila Kunis
Everly
This name falls under the “cool, creative” category — it’s a modern name that only recently became popular.
Common Variants: Emery, Evelyn
Luna
This name of Latin origin means “moon.”
Common Nicknames: Lu, Lulu
Avery
This gender-neutral baby name means “wise” and was originally a last name derived from Alfred.
Common Nicknames: Aves, Ave, Avy
Evelyn
Of Irish origin, Evelyn is a combination of the names Eve and Lynn.
Common Variants: Evaline, Evelina, Eveleen, Aveline
Harper
This name was traditionally given as a last name to anyone who played the harp.
Famous Harpers: Novelist Harper Lee
Lily
A popular flower name, Lily is also a symbol of purity in the Christian faith.
Common Variants: Lillian, Lila, Elizabeth
Ella
Ella is of English origin and means “light” or “beautiful fairy woman.”
Famous Ellas: Singer Ella Fitzgerald
Gianna
This Hebrew name means “God’s grace.”
Common Variants: Gia, Gina, Jenna, Giovanna
Chloe
Taken from the Greek, “Khloe,” this name means “blooming” or “young green shoot” and was used to represent the fertility goddess, Demeter.
Famous Chloes: Actresses Chloe Sevigny and Khloe Kardashian
Adalyn
Adalyn is a variant of Adele, which means “noble.”
Other Spellings: Adalynn, Adelyn, Adeline
Charlie
A nickname for Charlotte, this unisex baby name continues to grow in popularity for baby girls.
Other Spellings: Charlee
Isla
This Scottish name literally translates to “island.”
Famous Islas: Actress Isla Fisher
Ellie
Very similar to Ella, Ellie holds its own with a similar meaning of “shining light.”
Common Variants: Eleanor, Ellen, Elle
Leah
A Hebrew name, Leah actually means “weary.” While not the happiest meaning, it’s also a biblical name used for Jacob’s second wife, who was believed to have a lucky life.
Other Spellings: Lia, Lea
Nora
This name is sweet on its own but can also be a shortened version of Honora, Latin for “honor,” or Eleanora, Greek for “light.”
Famous Noras: Writer Nora Ephron and singer Norah Jones
Scarlett
Once used as a last name for someone who either dyed or sold bright fabrics, Scarlett also means “bright red.”
Famous Scarletts: Actress Scarlett Johannson
Maya
A variation of the name May, Maya means “great” or “larger” in Latin.
Famous Mayas: Writer Maya Angelou and actress Maya Rudolph
Abigail
This Hebrew name is also a biblical name and means “the father’s joy.”
Common Nicknames: Abby, Abbey, Gail
Madison
A famous last name, Madison actually comes from the medieval Madde, a nickname of Madeleine or Maude.
Common Nicknames: Maddy, Mads
Aubrey
Aubrey was derived from Alberic, who happened to be king of the elves in German mythology.
Common Variants: Audrey, Aubree
Emily
A variant of the Latin name Aemilia, Emily means “striving” and “eager.”
Famous Emilys: Writers Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson
Kinsley
Kinsley comes from Old English and translates to “king’s meadow” or “royal wood clearing.”
Common Variants: Kinley, Mckinley
Elena
Yet another variant of Eleanor, Elena means “light.”
Common Nicknames: Ella, Elle, Lena, Leni
Paisley
A Scottish name, Paisley means “church.”
Famous Paisleys: Singer Brad Paisley
Madelyn
Very similar to Madison, Madelyn means “high tower” in Greek.
Other Spellings: Madeline, Madeleine
Aurora
Of Latin origin, Aurora is a Disney princess name that means “dawn.”
Common Nicknames: Rory, Arie, Aura
Peyton
Peyton is a gender-neutral baby name that was originally a last name.
Famous Peytons: Football player Peyton Manning
Nova
The short and sweet Nova means “new” in Latin.
Common Variants: Genova, Nava, Neva
Emilia
Similar to Emily, Emilia means “ambitious” and “industrious.”
Common Variants: Emma, Emmy
Hannah
This biblical name means “favor” or “grace of God” in Hebrew.
Other Spellings: Hana, Hanna, Chana
Sarah
Of Hebrew origin, Sarah means “princess” without being too obvious.
Famous Sarahs: Actresses Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sarah Jessica Parker
Ariana
Ariana means “very holy one” in Greek.
Famous Arianas: Singer Ariana Grande
Penelope
Another Greek name, Penelope translates to “weaver.”
Famous Penelopes: Actress Penelope Cruz
Lila
This Arabic name means “night.”
Common Variants: Lyla, Lilah, Layla, Lily, Lillian