The Most Popular Baby Names the Year You Were Born

When the teacher called your name during elementary school roll call, did they add the first letter of your last name? If so, it probably didn’t take long to realize that you shared a name with another student, or even a few. This was no accident.

Each year, one boy’s name and one girl’s name rank as the most popular. These names appear and disappear with changing trends, sometimes making a comeback from the last century or entering the charts for the first time. 

Some names stay at the top for years, while others spend only a single year in the spotlight. For a long stretch, Michael was the most popular boy’s name, until Jacob took over and held the top spot throughout the 2000s. The same goes for girls. Jennifer dominated for years, with a few Ashleys and Jessicas sprinkled in. 

Whether your parents chose an unconventional name with a special meaning or followed naming trends, each year had its own popular pick. No matter how common, your name is uniquely yours and reflects your personality!

Here's the most popular baby name in the year you were born, according to Reader's Digest.

THE MOST POPULAR BABY NAME THE YEAR YOU WERE BORN

1950

Girl: Linda
Boy: James

1951

Girl: Linda
Boy: James

1952

Girl: Linda
Boy: James

1953

Girl: Mary
Boy: Robert

1954

Girl: Mary
Boy: Michael

1955

Girl: Mary
Boy: Michael

1956

Girl: Mary
Boy: Michael

1957

Girl: Mary
Boy: Michael

1958

Girl: Mary
Boy: Michael

1959

Girl: Mary
Boy: Michael

1960

Girl: Mary
Boy: David

1961

Girl: Mary
Boy: Michael

1962

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1963

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1964

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1965

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1966

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1967

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1968

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1969

Girl: Lisa
Boy: Michael

1970

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1971

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1972

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1973

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1974

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1975

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1976

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1977

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1978

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1979

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1980

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1981

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1982

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1983

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1984

Girl: Jennifer
Boy: Michael

1985

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1986

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1987

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1988

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1989

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1990

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1991

Girl: Ashley
Boy: Michael

1992

Girl: Ashley
Boy: Michael

1993

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1994

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1995

Girl: Jessica
Boy: Michael

1996

Girl: Emily
Boy: Michael

1997

Girl: Emily
Boy: Michael

1998

Girl: Emily
Boy: Michael

1999

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2000

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2001

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2002

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2003

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2004

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2005

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2006

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2007

Girl: Emily
Boy: Jacob

2008

Girl: Emma
Boy: Jacob

2009

Girl: Isabella
Boy: Jacob

2010

Girl: Isabella
Boy: Jacob

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