50 Baby Names That Defined the 2000s

The 2000s was a decade that saw a significant shift in baby naming trends, with many classic names giving way to newer, trendier options. From the top girls' names like Emma and Hannah, to the top boys' names like Ethan and Logan, this decade was all about variety and creativity. With over 2 million babies born each year, the US saw a diverse range of names emerge, some of which have stood the test of time. In this list, we count down the top 50 baby names that defined the 2000s, based on their peak rankings and birth counts.

1. Emma — Emma peaked at US rank #2 in 2003 with 22,719 births, cementing its place as one of the most popular girls' names of the decade.
2. Hannah — Hannah peaked at US rank #2 in 2000 with 23,087 births, a testament to its enduring popularity.
3. Madison — Madison peaked at US rank #2 in 2001 with 22,166 births, a name that was all the rage in the early 2000s.
4. Ava — Ava peaked at US rank #4 in 2007 with 18,053 births, a name that was slowly but surely rising up the charts.
5. Ethan — Ethan peaked at US rank #5 in 2004 with 22,210 births, a classic name that remained popular throughout the decade.
6. Abigail — Abigail peaked at US rank #6 in 2003 with 15,932 births, a timeless name that never fell out of favor.
7. Jayden — Jayden peaked at US rank #8 in 2009 with 17,316 births, a name that was gaining momentum towards the end of the decade.
8. Chloe — Chloe peaked at US rank #9 in 2009 with 11,922 births, a name that was popular among parents looking for a unique but still stylish option.
9. Addison — Addison peaked at US rank #11 in 2007 with 11,949 births, a name that was rising up the charts in the mid-2000s.
10. Aiden — Aiden peaked at US rank #12 in 2009 with 16,030 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
11. Grace — Grace peaked at US rank #13 in 2003 with 12,781 births, a classic name that remained popular throughout the decade.
12. Brianna — Brianna peaked at US rank #15 in 2000 with 12,880 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
13. Natalie — Natalie peaked at US rank #17 in 2006 with 10,951 births, a name that was slowly but surely rising up the charts.
14. Logan — Logan peaked at US rank #17 in 2007 with 15,331 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
15. Nathan — Nathan peaked at US rank #20 in 2004 with 14,634 births, a classic name that remained popular throughout the decade.
16. Dylan — Dylan peaked at US rank #21 in 2001 with 16,497 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
17. Christian — Christian peaked at US rank #22 in 2000 with 16,059 births, a timeless name that never fell out of favor.
18. Sydney — Sydney peaked at US rank #23 in 2000 with 10,243 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
19. Gabriel — Gabriel peaked at US rank #24 in 2008 with 13,041 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
20. Destiny — Destiny peaked at US rank #24 in 2000 with 9,850 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
21. Samuel — Samuel peaked at US rank #26 in 2001 with 14,813 births, a classic name that remained popular throughout the decade.
22. Hailey — Hailey peaked at US rank #26 in 2003 with 8,798 births, a name that was popular among parents.
23. Kaylee — Kaylee peaked at US rank #26 in 2009 with 7,219 births, a name that was rising up the charts towards the end of the decade.
24. Julia — Julia peaked at US rank #27 in 2001 with 8,838 births, a timeless name that never fell out of favor.
25. Haley — Haley peaked at US rank #28 in 2000 with 9,069 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
26. Leah — Leah peaked at US rank #29 in 2009 with 6,790 births, a name that was gaining momentum towards the end of the decade.
27. Jose — Jose peaked at US rank #30 in 2002 with 12,868 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
28. Kaitlyn — Kaitlyn peaked at US rank #30 in 2000 with 8,759 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
29. Angel — Angel peaked at US rank #31 in 2006 with 11,602 births, a name that was slowly but surely rising up the charts.
30. Cameron — Cameron peaked at US rank #31 in 2000 with 12,767 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
31. Nevaeh — Nevaeh peaked at US rank #31 in 2007 with 6,818 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
32. Gavin — Gavin peaked at US rank #32 in 2007 with 11,863 births, a name that was rising up the charts in the mid-2000s.
33. Caleb — Caleb peaked at US rank #35 in 2002 with 11,665 births, a classic name that remained popular throughout the decade.
34. Hunter — Hunter peaked at US rank #35 in 2000 with 12,538 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
35. Makayla — Makayla peaked at US rank #37 in 2008 with 5,957 births, a name that was gaining momentum towards the end of the decade.
36. Savannah — Savannah peaked at US rank #37 in 2000 with 7,100 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
37. Connor — Connor peaked at US rank #38 in 2004 with 10,049 births, a name that was rising up the charts in the mid-2000s.
38. Aidan — Aidan peaked at US rank #39 in 2003 with 10,067 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
39. Isaiah — Isaiah peaked at US rank #39 in 2006 with 10,459 births, a name that was slowly but surely rising up the charts.
40. Alexa — Alexa peaked at US rank #39 in 2006 with 6,117 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
41. Mackenzie — Mackenzie peaked at US rank #40 in 2001 with 6,934 births, a name that was popular among parents in the early 2000s.
42. Evan — Evan peaked at US rank #40 in 2007 with 10,295 births, a name that was rising up the charts in the mid-2000s.
43. Isaac — Isaac peaked at US rank #41 in 2007 with 10,274 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
44. Peyton — Peyton peaked at US rank #42 in 2009 with 5,318 births, a name that was gaining momentum towards the end of the decade.
45. Angelina — Angelina peaked at US rank #43 in 2005 with 5,813 births, a name that was slowly but surely rising up the charts.
46. Paige — Paige peaked at US rank #47 in 2003 with 5,758 births, a name that was popular among parents.
47. Trinity — Trinity peaked at US rank #48 in 2004 with 5,638 births, a name that was rising up the charts in the mid-2000s.
48. Faith — Faith peaked at US rank #50 in 2003 with 5,597 births, a timeless name that never fell out of favor.
49. Jocelyn — Jocelyn peaked at US rank #50 in 2007 with 5,293 births, a name that was gaining popularity among parents.
50. Kylie — Kylie peaked at US rank #52 in 2003 with 5,558 births, a name that was popular among parents.

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