200 American baby names for boys and girls – with origins and meanings

Looking for American baby name ideas for baby boy or girl? We've got a brilliant selection here, including African-American names, Native American names, unisex American names, popular American names and unusual American names – each with their origin and meaning

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Published: April 11, 2024 at 3:57 PM

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The US and its culture has a huge influence on our daily live across the pond, so it's no surprise that American baby names have been steadily gaining in popularity in the UK over the past years.

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If you're on the hunt for a American baby name for your baby-to-be, you'll probably know already that there are thousands and thousands to choose for – and narrowing such a huge list down is never easy, especially when you're on a countdown to your due date.

So, here to help you, is our carefully curated list of the best American baby names for boys and girls. We've included cute American names, gender-neutral American names, pretty American names, traditional American names, cool American names, Native American baby names, unusual American names – and more.

As the US itself is less than 250 years old, most of the names will seem modern, fresh and possibly even quirky. Some of the names we've included originally come from elsewhere in the world but have been changed or adapted Stateside.

For more baby name inspiration, check out our articles on Scottish girls' names and their meanings, featuring charming and historic choices, and African baby names for boys and girls, filled with vibrant and meaningful options.

Also, discover our list of cultural heritage baby girl names which offer rich inspiration. Our Korean girl names list contains a mix of two-syllable style names, Italian girls names evoke charm and romance, and our list of Japanese girl names incorporates culture and history.

Here's our list of the best American girl and boy names to inspire you...

Popular American baby names for boys | Popular American baby names for girls | Traditional American names for girls | Traditional American names for boys | Native American names for girls | Native American names for boys | Cool American names for boys | Cool American names for girls | African-American names for girls | African-American names for boys | Pretty American names for girls | Cute American names for boys | Cute American names for girls | Unusual American names for girls | Unusual American names for boys | Unisex American baby names

Popular American baby names for boys

These US boy names have all gained a stronghold in the UK, making it onto the biggest official top 100 list for boys. We've listed them in the order they are ranked by the Office for National Statistics, which tracks birth registrations in England and Wales each year.

1. Teddy

2. Mason

3. Harrison

4. Jaxon

5. Hudson

6. Hunter

7. Oakley

8. Grayson

9. Carter

10. Riley

11. Sonny

12. Chester

13. Brody

14. Kai

15. Myles

Popular American baby names for girls

Interestingly – and in strong contrast to the boy names (above) – only two American girl names make it onto the official top 100 list for girls, compiled by the Office for National Statistics.

16. Harper

17. Hallie

Traditional American names for girls

These classic American baby girl names have long stood the test of time. Some of them – like America, Aspen and Virginia – are strongly tied to the nation itself, while others signal virtues favoured by Puritan pilgrim fathers who established the first colonial settlements in the 1620s.

18. America

19. Aspen

20. Aubrey

21. Brianna

22. Justice

23. Kennedy

24. Madison

25. Patience

26. Serenity

27. Sloane

28. Virginia

Traditional American names for boys

We've found some properly star-spangled, all-American traditional baby boy names. Some of them – like Wyatt and Austin – sound like they have ridden straight in from the Wild West, while others have strong links with past presidents of the US. We've also included some Hawaiian boy names that are variations on classical bible names used all over the world.

29. Austin

30. Brad

31. Brandon

32. Bryson

33. Chad

34. Everett

35. Franklin

36. Jameson

37. Keoni

38. Kingston

39. Lincoln

40. Makaio

41. Marlon

42. Tucker

43. Washington

44. Wyatt

Native American names for girls

These Native American baby girl names are, of course, older than the US itself. We've selected some gorgeous girl names with origins in different Native American tribes, including Sioux, Cherokee and Choctaw. Many of the names have wonderful meanings linked to the natural world.

45. Awinita

46. Cheyenne

47. Chenoa

48. Kimimela

49. Nayeli

50. Nita

51. Nizhoni

52. Shania

53. Soyala

54. Tallulah

55. Winona

56. Wyomia

Native American names for boys

Unusual and fresh to the UK ear, these baby boy names are steeped in the rich Native American history and culture. Some describe delightful aspects of personality, while others have wonderful meanings connected to the world around us.

57. Ahanu

58. Ashkii

59. Atohi

60. Bemidii

61. Chayton

62. Hopi

63. Hototo

64. Ishi

65. Jacy

66. Takoda

67. Tokala

The most popular girl names in the US

These are the top 10 baby girl names in the US, based on official information from the US Government's Department for Social Security.

Cool American names for boys

All effortlessly stylish, these American baby boy names acquired their cool from their smart and interesting meaning, from their association with a celebrity or by being originally a surname that translates into a slick and trendy first name.

68. Archer

69. Ashton

70. Brooklyn

71. Brooks

72. Cayson

73. Chase

74. Colton

75. Dyami

76. Easton

77. Jaxton

78. Kayden

79. Kekoa

80. Makani

81. Nakoa

82. Ryder

83. Ryker

84. Sawyer

85. Weston

Cool American names for girls

Sleek and modern, these ultra-cool American baby girl names take inspiration from great US female celebs (and Games of Thrones stars!) or riff on K and M, the two most on-trend initial letters for girl names right now.

86. Beyonce

87. Kaylen

88. Kehlani

89. Kendall

90. Kendra

91. Khaleesi

92. Makenna

93. Montana

94. Rhianna

95. Sedona

96. Wrenley

African-American names for girls

We love these baby names for girls for their strong, positive and hopeful meanings, and the way their (mostly) African beginnings have been shaped and varied by years of use Stateside.

97. Brielle

98. Dazzline

99. Destiny

100. Imani

101. Kalisha

102. Keysha

103. Kimani

104. Lacresha

105. Ladonna

106. Nala

107. Promise

108. Sheniqua

109. Zari

110. Zuri

African-American names for boys

All these African American baby boy names are strong and distinctive, often paying clear tribute to Black history and culture. We particularly love Booker, inspired by Booker T Washington, an influential educator and speaker who was born into slavery and became the first African-American to be invited to dine at the White House with a president.

111. Booker

112. Cleavon

113. DeAndre

114. Dion

115. Elroy

116. Jabari

117. Jaylen

118. Lamarcus

119. Lemar

120. Leroy

121. Treyvon

Pretty American names for girls

These American baby girl names are pretty, easy on the ear and have lovely meanings. One of them – Jolie – even means pretty in French, although we have a soft spot for Alayna, which means precious.

122. Aiyana

123. Alanis

124. Alayna

125. Aniyah

126. Jolie

127. Keyla

128. Maleia

129. Malia

130. Nevaeh

131. Tayen

BABY wrapped in US flag

Cute American names for boys

These American baby boy names are just adorable. Most of them started out as surnames but sound super-cute when turned into a first names for a little boy.

132. Bennett

133. Bentley

134. Brayden

135. Cooper

136. Jefferson

137. Keanu

138. Orlando

139. Parker

140. Walker

The most popular boy names in the US

Here are the most common names given to baby boys born in the United States according to official data from the US Government. All the names are, interestingly, very traditional.

Cute American names for girls

When it comes to lovably cute names for baby girls, America has plenty to offer, ranging from shortened forms of classic names – like Dolly – to names with sweet meanings and names that just sound as cute as pie.

141. Alabama

142. Dolly

143. Etta

144. Harlow

145. Isi

146. Jaelyn

147. Jovie

148. Kaylee

149. Leilani

150. Piper

151. Presley

152. Sage

153. Scout

154. Skylar

Unusual American names for girls

If you don't want a girl baby name someone else might choose, these unique and distinctive American girl names might be just what you are searching for.

155. Aalilyanna

156. Brynlee

157. Ember

158. Emersyn

159. Jaylene

160. Luana

161. Memphis

162. Nalani

163. Raelynn

164. Zinnia

Unusual American names for boys

These American baby boy names offer something different and original. No chance of another boy in your child's nursery having the same one...

165. Braxton

166. Cedar

167. Davin

168. Hollis

169. Kaleo

170. Lafayette

171. Landon

172. Nolan

173. Ransom

174. Sutton

175. Waylon

176. Wilder

Unisex American baby names

Gender-neutral baby names are growing in popularity all over the world but especially in the US – where many Native American names are gender-neutral anyway.

177. Addison

178. Alaska

179. Arizona

180. Avery

181. Blake

182. Dakota

183. Dallas

184. Denali

185. Emery

186. Everly

187. Hadley

188. Indiana

189. Jaden

190. Kinsley

191. Mackenzie

192. Maverick

193. Oregon

194. Peyton

195. Quinn

196. Reagan

197. Reign

198. Sequoia

199. Taylor

200. Tennessee

How to choose the right American baby name

Naming your baby will probably be one of the most important decisions you ever make.  If you're not sure where to begin, remember this isn't something you need to rush. Take your time looking at different options and discussing them with your partner. You could even wait to meet your baby so you can see what sort of name would suit them.  Here are our top tips on picking the right American name for your baby:

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Authors

Catherine Ball

Catherine Ball is a freelance journalist who specialises in writing about parenting and health. She has been a journalist for 20 years, writing for a wide range of regional and national publications.

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