Choosing a name for your little one can be both exciting and overwhelming. On one hand, you get to research plenty of different names to find one you love for your new bundle of joy. On the other hand, coming up with something you and your partner agree on can be a challenge.
Both parents may already have an idea about where to look for inspiration. There are plenty of websites and books that are great places for ideas. Another helpful resource? The past most popular baby names. If they were well liked in the past, it’s obviously for a reason! Here are some of the top boys names from 2011.
The Top 10 Boys Names of 2011
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration’s list of the top boys’ names in 2011, the 10 most popular choices didn’t change much from the previous and following years. For all three years, the name Jacob held the No. 1 spot. Mason sat in the No. 2 spot for 2011 and 2012, but in 2010, it was Ethan. Some names that were in the top 10 for all three years were: Michael, William, Ethan and Noah. Here is the full ranking from 2011:
Strangely enough, most of the names that made it in the top 10 are all found in scripture. For example, Noah is of Hebrew origins, derived from the full name of “Noach.” It means rest and comfort. Noah is also found in the Bible in the book of Genesis. Another name found in religious culture is Alexander. It is of Greek descent and was the name of numerous kings, emperors and popes. This name is incredibly popular for boys, because it embodies strength and means “defender of man.” Biblical names have been favored throughout decades. Naming your little one something from scripture could be a great way to honor your beliefs.
Last names
In 2011, a trend featured in the top 100 names was the integration of last names. For example, traditional surnames that made the list as little boy names are: Jackson (No. 23), Blake (No. 73), Bentley (No. 75) and Parker (No. 79).
Today, many women are straying away from the custom of the woman taking the man’s last name. Some women are keeping their last surname and others are hyphenating. On the other hand, some have come up with an innovative solution: using the woman’s last name for their little boy’s first name. The best part about this is that so many last names could work great for your little one, like Anderson, Johnson, Smith, Cooper and Russell – just to name a few.
Names that end in ‘en’
In 2011, there were a lot of little boys’ names with the suffix “en.” For example, Jayden and Aiden made it in the top 10, while Brayden, (No. 37), Owen (No. 44) and Ayden (No. 70) were all in the top 100. These names are perfect because their endings pair well with middle and last names and roll off the tongue easily.
But it doesn’t just stop at “en” endings; “on” and “an” were popular as well. For instance, Landon is No. 34 on the top 100, while Jordan and Julian are No. 46 and 49, respectively.
When it comes to finding a name for your little boy, don’t limit yourself. Look at all of the past popular names for ideas. The more research you do, the better your chances are of finding something for your new family member. Be sure to start your search in advance, too. The more time you give yourself, the less stressful the process will be.
Get the most recent trends with the most popular boys names of this year.
