The most popular baby names are … | CNN (2024)

Top baby names of 2013: 1. Noah —

The Social Security Administration's annual list of popular baby names tends to reflect pop culture's influence. It's impossible to say with certainty who inspired baby name trends, but movies, TV, music and sports can reveal who keeps the trends alive. Click through the gallery to see the memorable celebs and characters whose names were among the most popular in 2013.

The name Noah climbed to 23 in 2005, the year after Ryan Gosling melted hearts as Noah in the film adaptation of Nicholas Spark's "The Notebook." The name has continued to gain popularity over the years, reaching No. 1 in 2013 for the first time.

1. Sophia —

Sophia, the most popular name for girls since 2011, first cracked the top 10 in 2006. By then, Sophia Bush had made a name for herself playing the character Brooke Davis in the popular CW teen drama, "One Tree Hill," which ran from 2003 to 2012.

2. Liam —

The name Liam jumped from 75 in 2008 to 49 in 2009 and has been rising fast ever since. Actor Liam Hemsworth started his acting career in Australian TV before his breakthrough role in the hit film "The Hunger Games" in 2012.

2. Emma —

The name Emma debuted in the top 10 in 2002 and was the most popular name for baby girls in 2008. Actor Emma Watson made her cinematic debut in 2001 as Hermione in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

3. Jacob —

Jacob had been the most popular name for boys since 1999, but was unseated by Noah in 2013. Jacob is the name of a character in the popular "Twilight" series, and was portrayed by actor Taylor Lautner in the film adaptation of the novel.

3. Olivia —

The name Olivia has been moving up and down the top 10 list since making its debut in 2001. Actor Olivia Wilde began appearing in the popular TV series "The O.C." in 2003, but her role as Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley in "House" propelled her to international stardom.

4. Mason —

Mason Cook is an American child actor. He is known for his portrayal of Cecil Wilson in Spy Kids and Murray in the ABC series, "The Goldbergs," pictured here. His name dropped from No.2 in 2012 to No.4 in 2013, after making a leap from 12 in 2010 to number two in 2011. Could the birth of Kourtney Kardashian's son, Mason Dash Disick, in December 2009 have anything to do with the spike?

4. Isabella —

Isabella went from the 45th-most popular baby name for girls in 2000 to No. 1 in 2009. It could it be related to the popularity of the "Twilight" book series, the vampire-themed fantasy romance novel documenting the trials of Isabella Swan, known as Bella. The first novel in the series was published in 2005, and the first film adaptation, starring Kristen Stewart, debuted in 2008.

5. William —

William is holding steady at No. 5 for the second year in a row, despite getting a royal boost from the Duke of Cambridge -- and new dad -- Prince William.

5. Ava —

The name Ava been the fifth-most popular name for girls since 2008. It's a popular name for the children of celebrities, such as Ava Phillippe, daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, and Ava Jackman, daughter of Hugh Jackman. The most famous Ava of all? The 20th-century film star Ava Gardner.

6. Ethan —

Ethan entered the Top 10 in 2002 at No. 5, but has yet to grab the top spot. Actor Ethan Hawke has been stealing hearts since his role in the 1989 film "Dead Poets Society."

6. Mia —

Mia was the sixth-most popular name among girls in 2013, with plenty of possible celeb inspiration, from soccer star Mia Hamm to "The Fast and the Furious" character Mia Toretto, played by actress Jordana Brewster, pictured.

7. Michael —

Michael has been a popular name for boys across the generations. In 2013, it was ranked seventh. One star keeping the name current? Michael Cera of "Arrested Development," "Superbad" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."

7. Emily —

Actress Emily Blunt, left, is one of many famous Emilys who could be keeping the name in the top 10; it was ranked No. 7 in 2013. In February 2014, Blunt gave birth to a daughter named Hazel, the 157th most popular name in 2013, according to the Social Security Administration.

8. Alexander —

Alexander has long been among the most popular names for boys and in 2013, it ranked No. 8. It's a popular name in Hollywood, too, from "Nebraska" filmmaker Alexander Payne to actor Alexander Ludwig, pictured, who played Cato in "The Hunger Games."

8. Abigail —

Abigail hasn't always enjoyed A-list popularity; for most of the first half of the 20th century, it failed to crack the top 1,000 names. Its star has risen alongside that of Abigail Breslin, born 1996. She made her screen debut in "Signs" in 2002 and was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in "Little Miss Sunshine" in 2006.

9. Jayden —

Jayden -- sometimes spelled Jaden or Jaiden -- debuted at 850 on the name popularity list in 1994, before making a sudden spike to 18 in 2007. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's son, Jaden, made his movie debut in "The Pursuit of Happyness" the year before.

9. Madison —

Madison has been among the top 10 names for girls since the late 1990s. Maybe it's no surprise that actor Madison Pettis of the Disney Channels "Cory in the House" was born in 1998.

10. Daniel —

Daniel is a globally popular moniker that boasts biblical origins, and feminine versions such as Danielle and Dani. The "Harry Potter" franchise star Daniel Radcliffe, born in 1989, is among the many famous Daniels of the current day.

10. Elizabeth —

Elizabeth, also spelled Elisabeth, has found a home in the top dozen female names since the turn of the 21st century. The peak of its ubiquity, however, was between 1880 and 1892, when it flirted with the top spot. Today, it's a common name among stars from Elizabeth Olsen to Elizabeth Banks, pictured.