200 American baby names for boys and girls

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.

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

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

Origin: American
Meaning: gift of god; diminutive form of Greek name Theodore
Trend: moving up

2. Mason

Origin: English/American
Meaning: stone worker; English surname
Trend: moving up

3. Harrison

Origin: English/American
Meaning: Harry's son; English surname
Trend: moving down

4. Jaxon

Origin: American
Meaning: son of Jack; Americanisation of English surname Jackson
Also: Jackson
Trend: moving down

5. Hudson

Origin: English/American
Meaning: son of Hudd; English surname
Trend: moving up

6. Hunter

Origin: American/English
Meaning: person who hunts; English surname
Trend: moving down

7. Oakley

Origin: American/English
Meaning: meadow of oak trees
Trend: moving up

8. Grayson

Origin: English/American
Meaning: son of grey-haired man; English surname
Also: Greyson
Trend: moving down

9. Carter

Origin: English/American
Meaning: transporter of goods by cart; English surname
Trend: moving down

10. Riley

Origin: English/American
Meaning: rye clearing; English surname
Also: Rylee
Trend: moving down

11. Sonny

Origin: American
Meaning: our son
Trend: moving up

12. Chester

Origin: American/Latin
Meaning: fortress, walled town
Trend: moving down

13. Brody

Origin: American/Irish
Meaning: ditch or muddy place; Gaelic surname
Trend: moving up

14. Kai

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: sea
Trend: moving up

15. Myles

Origin: American/Latin
Meaning: soldier
Also: Miles
Trend: moving down

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

Origin: English/American
Meaning: harp player; English surname
Trend: moving up

17. Hallie

Origin: English/American
Meaning: dweller at the meadow; diminutive form of Harriet
Trend: moving up

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

Origin: American
Meaning: home ruler; from Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, whose name America is derived from

19. Aspen

Origin: English/American
Meaning: aspen tree

20. Aubrey

Origin: German
Meaning: elf ruler; derived from name Alberic
Also: Aubree

21. Brianna

Origin: American/Irish
Meaning: strong

22. Justice

Origin: American/English
Meaning: justice

23. Kennedy

Origin: American
Meaning: helmeted head; Gaelic surname

24. Madison

Origin: English/American
Meaning: son of Matthew; English surname
Also: Maddison

25. Patience

Origin: Latin
Meaning: patience

26. Serenity

Origin: Latin/American
Meaning: peaceful

27. Sloane

Origin: American
Meaning: raider; from the Irish surname

28. Virginia

Origin: Latin
Meaning: virgin, pure; name of a US state

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

Origin: American
Meaning: great, magnificent; from the Latin name Augustine

30. Brad

Origin: Old English
Meaning: broad

31. Brandon

Origin: American/Celtic
Meaning: prince; from the broom hill

32. Bryson

Origin: American
Meaning: son of Brice; English surname

33. Chad

Origin: American
Meaning: protector

34. Everett

Origin: English/American
Meaning: strong boar; English surname

35. Franklin

Origin: American/Old French
Meaning: free man

36. Jameson

Origin: English/American
Meaning: son of James; English surname

37. Keoni

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: God is gracious; Hawaiian version of John

38. Kingston

Origin: American/Old English
Meaning: king's town; place name

39. Lincoln

Origin: English/American
Meaning: lake; from Lincoln; English surname

40. Makaio

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: gift of God; Hawaiian version of Matthew

41. Marlon

Origin: American
Meaning: little warlike one

42. Tucker

Origin: American
Meaning: cloth fuller, tailor; English surname

43. Washington

Origin: American/English
Meaning: from the clever person's settlement; English surname; name of a US state

44. Wyatt

Origin: Old English
Meaning: brave warrior

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

Origin: Cherokee
Meaning: fawn

46. Cheyenne

Origin: Lakota/Sioux
Meaning: people of a different language
Also: Shayan, Cheyanne

47. Chenoa

Origin: Native American
Meaning: white dove

48. Kimimela

Origin: Sioux
Meaning: butterfly

49. Nayeli

Origin: Zapotec
Meaning: I love you

50. Nita

Origin: Choctaw
Meaning: bear

51. Nizhoni

Origin: Navajo
Meaning: beautiful

52. Shania

Origin: Ojibwa
Meaning: I'm on my way

53. Soyala

Origin: Hopi
Meaning: winter solstice

54. Tallulah

Origin: Choctaw
Meaning: leaping water

55. Winona

Origin: Sioux
Meaning: first-born daughter

56. Wyomia

Origin: Native American
Meaning: wide plain

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

Origin: Algonquian
Meaning: he laughs

58. Ashkii

Origin: Navajo
Meaning: boy

59. Atohi

Origin: Cherokee
Meaning: woods
Also: Atohe, Adohi

60. Bemidii

Origin: Ojibwe
Meaning: river by a lake

61. Chayton

Origin: Sioux
Meaning: falcon

62. Hopi

Origin: Hopi
Meaning: peaceful person

63. Hototo

Origin: Nez Perce
Meaning: warrior spirit who sings

64. Ishi

Origin: Yahi
Meaning: man

65. Jacy

Origin: Blackfoot
Meaning: the moon

66. Takoda

Origin: Sioux
Meaning: friend to everyone

67. Tokala

Origin: Dakota
Meaning: fox

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.

Olivia. Origin: Latin; Meaning: olive tree
Emma. Origin: German; Meaning: universal or whole
Charlotte. Origin: French; Meaning: free man
Amelia. Origin: Latin; Meaning: work, industrious
Sophia. Origin: Greek; Meaning: wisdom
Isabella. Origin: Italian; Meaning: devoted to God
Ava. Origin: Latin; Meaning: life, bird
Mia. Origin: Latin; Meaning: mine
Evelyn. Origin: English; Meaning: desired
Luna. Origin: Latin; Meaning: moon

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

Origin: American
Meaning: bowman; English surname

69. Ashton

Origin: American/Old English
Meaning: from the ash tree; English surname

70. Brooklyn

Origin: American/Old English
Meaning: lives near small stream; borough of New York

71. Brooks

Origin: Old English/American
Meaning: small stream; English surname

72. Cayson

Origin: American
Meaning: healer; combination of Casey and Jason
Also: Kayson

73. Chase

Origin: American
Meaning: to pursue; from the Old French word 'chace'

74. Colton

Origin: English/American
Meaning: from the coal town

75. Dyami

Origin: Native American
Meaning: eagle

76. Easton

Origin: English/American
Meaning: east town; English surname

77. Jaxton

Origin: American
Meaning: God is gracious; inspired by Jack and Jason

78. Kayden

Origin: American
Meaning: battle, fighter
Also: Cayden, Caden, Kaden, Kaidan, Kaydon, Caiden, Kaiden

79. Kekoa

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: warrior, the Koa tree

80. Makani

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: wind

81. Nakoa

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: warriors

82. Ryder

Origin: American/Old English
Meaning: rider, mounted warrior

83. Ryker

Origin: American/German
Meaning: rich; German surname

84. Sawyer

Origin: American
Meaning: woodcutter

85. Weston

Origin: American/English
Meaning: from the western town; English surname

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

Origin: American/Creole
Meaning: beyond others; Creole surname

87. Kaylen

Origin: American
Meaning: keeper of the keys
Also: Kaylin, Kaylynn, Kahlan

88. Kehlani

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: sea and sky
Also: Kailani, Kaylani, Kalani, Keilani, Khalani, Kahlani

89. Kendall

Origin: American
Meaning: from Kent Valley; English place name

90. Kendra

Origin: American
Meaning: knowing

91. Khaleesi

Origin: American
Meaning: queen; from Game of Thrones

92. Makenna

Origin: African-American
Meaning: happy one

93. Montana

Origin: American/Latin
Meaning: mountain; name of a US state

94. Rhianna

Origin: American/Welsh
Meaning: great queen; adapted from Rhiannon

95. Sedona

Origin: American
Meaning: city in Arizona

96. Wrenley

Origin: American
Meaning: small songbird, adapted from wren

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

Origin: Cajun
Meaning: hunting grounds; contraction of French name Gabrielle

98. Dazzline

Origin: African-American
Meaning: dazzling, luminous

99. Destiny

Origin: American/Latin
Meaning: fate

100. Imani

Origin: African-American/Swahili
Meaning: faith

101. Kalisha

Origin: African-American
Meaning: noble, kind

102. Keysha

Origin: American (African-American)
Meaning: cinnamon tree
Also: Keisha, Keziah, Keesha

103. Kimani

Origin: African-American
Meaning: sweet, beautiful

104. Lacresha

Origin: African-American
Meaning: succeed; version of Latin name Lucrecia

105. Ladonna

Origin: African-American
Meaning: the woman; derived from Italian name Donna

106. Nala

Origin: Swahili
Meaning: successful, queen

107. Promise

Origin: American
Meaning: promise

108. Sheniqua

Origin: African-American
Meaning: God is gracious

109. Zari

Origin: African-American
Meaning: golden; shortened form of Persian name Zarin

110. Zuri

Origin: Swahili
Meaning: beautiful

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

Origin: English/American
Meaning: someone concerned with books; English surname; after Booker T Washington

112. Cleavon

Origin: African-American
Meaning: of the cliff
Also: Kleavon, Clevon, Klevon

113. DeAndre

Origin: African-American
Meaning: manly

114. Dion

Origin: African-American/Greek
Meaning: after Dionysus; the Greek God of wine
Also: Deon

115. Elroy

Origin: African-American
Meaning: the king; from the French word for king

116. Jabari

Origin: Swahili
Meaning: brave

117. Jaylen

Origin: African-American
Meaning: healer
Also: Jalen, Jaylon, Jaylin

118. Lamarcus

Origin: African-American
Meaning: warrior
Also: Lemarcus

119. Lemar

Origin: African-American
Meaning: the sea

120. Leroy

Origin: African-American/French
Meaning: the king; from the French word for king

121. Treyvon

Origin: African-American
Meaning: fair town
Also: Trayvon, Trevon, Tre'von, Trayvonn

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

Origin: Native American
Meaning: eternal flower
Also: Aiyanna

123. Alanis

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: cheerful

124. Alayna

Origin: American
Meaning: precious; from Alana (Irish) and Elaine (French)

125. Aniyah

Origin: African-American/Hebrew
Meaning: God is gracious

126. Jolie

Origin: French/American
Meaning: pretty; after the French word for pretty

127. Keyla

Origin: American
Meaning: slim and fair; from the Yiddish name

128. Maleia

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: calm, gentle waters

129. Malia

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: probably

130. Nevaeh

Origin: American
Meaning: heaven – the letters of the name spell heaven in reverse

131. Tayen

Origin: Native American
Meaning: new moon

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

Origin: American/English
Meaning: blessed; English surname

133. Bentley

Origin: American
Meaning: field with bent grass; English surname

134. Brayden

Origin: American/Irish
Meaning: brave, salmon
Also: Braden, Braeden, Braydon, Bradin, Bradyn

135. Cooper

Origin: English/American
Meaning: barrel maker; English surname

136. Jefferson

Origin: American
Meaning: son of Geoffrey; English surname

137. Keanu

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: cool breeze

138. Orlando

Origin: Italian
Meaning: famous throughout the land; city in Florida

139. Parker

Origin: American/Old English
Meaning: keeper of the park; English surname

140. Walker

Origin: American
Meaning: someone who walks; English surname

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.

Liam. Origin: Irish; Meaning: protector
Noah. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: rest
Oliver. Origin: Latin; Meaning: olive tree
James. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: supplanter
Elijah. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: Yahweh is my God
William. Origin: German; Meaning: strong helmet
Henry. Origin: German; Meaning: house ruler
Lucas. Origin: Latin; Meaning: bringer of light
Benjamin. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: son of my right hand
Theodore. Origin: Greek; Meaning: a gift from God

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

Origin: Choctaw
Meaning: vegetation gatherers, thicket clearers; name of a US state

142. Dolly

Origin: American
Meaning: gift of God; diminutive of Dorothy or Dolores

143. Etta

Origin: American
Meaning: diminutive of Henrietta

144. Harlow

Origin: American
Meaning: from the rocky hill; English place name

145. Isi

Origin: Choctaw
Meaning: deer

146. Jaelyn

Origin: American
Meaning: supplanter
Also: Jaelynn

147. Jovie

Origin: American
Meaning: jovial, joyful

148. Kaylee

Origin: American
Meaning: laurel, crown; combination of Kay and Lee

149. Leilani

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: heavenly garland of flowers

150. Piper

Origin: American
Meaning: pipe player; English surname

151. Presley

Origin: American
Meaning: priest’s meadow; English surname

152. Sage

Origin: Latin
Meaning: wise; the name of a herb

153. Scout

Origin: American
Meaning: first explorer; after the heroine of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

154. Skylar

Origin: American
Meaning: scholar; Dutch surname

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

Origin: American
Meaning: combination of Lily (pure) and Anna (grace)

156. Brynlee

Origin: American
Meaning: combination of Bryn (hill) and Lee (meadow)

157. Ember

Origin: American
Meaning: spark

158. Emersyn

Origin: American
Meaning: brave, powerful; adapted from Emerson

159. Jaylene

Origin: American
Meaning: blue-crested bird

160. Luana

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: enjoyment, happiness

161. Memphis

Origin: American
Meaning: enduring beauty; an ancient city in Egypt and a city in the US

162. Nalani

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: serenity of the skies

163. Raelynn

Origin: American
Meaning: beam of light

164. Zinnia

Origin: American/German
Meaning: after the flower

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

Origin: American
Meaning: Brock's town, badger; English surname

166. Cedar

Origin: Latin
Meaning: cedar tree

167. Davin

Origin: American
Meaning: combination of David (beloved) and Devin (poet)

168. Hollis

Origin: American
Meaning: holly tree

169. Kaleo

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning, voice, sound

170. Lafayette

Origin: American/French
Meaning: beech forest; French surname

171. Landon

Origin: English/American
Meaning: long hill; English surname

172. Nolan

Origin: Irish/American
Meaning: champion; Irish surname

173. Ransom

Origin: American
Meaning: warrior's shield; English surname

174. Sutton

Origin: American
Meaning: southern homestead; English surname

175. Waylon

Origin: Old English/American
Meaning: land by the road; variation of Wayland

176. Wilder

Origin: American
Meaning: wild, untamed; English and German surname

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

Origin: American
Meaning: son of Adam; English surname

178. Alaska

Origin: Aleut
Meaning: great land

179. Arizona

Origin: Native American
Meaning: little springs; name of a US state

180. Avery

Origin: English/American
Meaning: elf king

181. Blake

Origin: American/Old English
Meaning: black; English surname

182. Dakota

Origin: Native American – Sioux
Meaning: friend, ally
Also: Dakoda

183. Dallas

Origin: American
Meaning: from the dales; Scottish surname

184. Denali

Origin: Kuyokan Athabascan
Meaning: the tall one

185. Emery

Origin: American
Meaning: brave ruler

186. Everly

Origin: American
Meaning: boar clearing; English surname
Also: Everleigh

187. Hadley

Origin: American/English
Meaning: hay meadow; English surname

188. Indiana

Origin: American
Meaning: land of the Indians; name of a US state

189. Jaden

Origin: American/Hebrew
Meaning: God has heard
Also: Jayden

190. Kinsley

Origin: American
Meaning: king's meadow; English surname

191. Mackenzie

Origin: Scottish/American
Meaning: son of Kenneth; Scottish surname

192. Maverick

Origin: American
Meaning: independent, non-conformist

193. Oregon

Origin: Algonquin
Meaning: beautiful; name of a US state

194. Peyton

Origin: American
Meaning: fighting man's estate; English place name
Also: Payton

195. Quinn

Origin: American/Irish
Meaning: descendant of Conn; Irish surname

196. Reagan

Origin: American/Irish
Meaning: little ruler; Irish surname

197. Reign

Origin: American/Old English
Meaning: to rule

198. Sequoia

Cherokee
Meaning: redwood

199. Taylor

Origin: American/English
Meaning: tailor; Anglo-French surname

200. Tennessee

Origin: Native Cherokee
Meaning: where the waters meet

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:

Think about the kind of name you want for your baby. Do you want it to reflect a particular culture or have a certain meaning? Do you like strong, assertive names or something softer and more delicate? Is there a particular letter you want it to start with? Once you work out what your must-have elements in a baby name are, it will be easier for you to draw up a shortlist.

Practise saying your favourite names again and again. Can you imagine calling this name across a crowded playground? Does it sound good with the surname your baby will use? What will their initials be?

Consider any potential nicknames people may use to shorten the name or make it less formal. Do you like them or are some of the options a dealbreaker?

Check what the name means. If you love the sound of the name, make sure you also like its meaning and it doesn't have any negative connotations.

Think about how well the name will age as your child goes through life. If it is super cute and perfect for a newborn, will it also suit a teenager, a working adult and a pensioner?

How practical is the name? Think about how easy your favourite names are to say and spell. You may want something which is very unique but bear in mind that people will often make mistakes if they haven't come across the name before.

Look at how popular it is. If you hate the idea of your little one having the same name as several other children at school, you may want to avoid anything from the top 10 lists. Of course, you may like the idea of choosing something you know others will like and which is tried and tested.

Pics: Getty

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.