What's In A Name

By Julia Bollman on Sat, 05/08/2010 - 11:34am

Isabella has taken the crown from Emma, but no one can top Jacob's 11-year stronghold on being the top baby name for boys in the U.S. The Social Security Administration releases its annual list of top baby names every year around this time - Mother's Day - and only three names are new to the top ten lists. Mia is in the top ten for the first time for girls' names, while Noah and Jayden are new to the top ten for boys.

The SSA compiles the top 1000 names for girls and boys each year, but it's the top ten list that gets the most attention. But of note in the larger list are the fastest-rising names in popularity. Among them are Maliyah, Isla, Cullen and King. Among the names dropping most in popularity in 2009 were Lindsay, Brett, Alvin and Jonas.

Now on to the top ten:

10 Most popular names for girls:

1. Isabella

2. Emma

3. Olivia

4. Sophia

5. Ava

6. Emily

7. Madison

8. Abigail

9. Chloe

10. Mia

10 Most popular names for boys:

1. Jacob

2. Ethan

3. Michael

4. Alexander

5. William

6. Joshua

7. Daniel

8. Jayden

9. Noah

10. Anthony

At the www.ssa.gov web site, you can also see how the popularity of certain names has changed over time, and the most popular names for a particular year of birth.

List Source: U.S. Social Security Administration

Share This Story

by Julia Bollman, publisher of STL Parent

Things to Do

Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

View this event »

Museum Babies Storytelling

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Bring your babies and toddlers to this free story time at the Missouri History Museum.

View this event »

Storytelling in the Museum from the Missouri History Museum

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Grandparents Day, Disability History, Baking, Homes Around the World and more.

Storytelling in the Museum is free.

View this event »

LEGO Club at the St. Louis County Library

LEGO Club at the St. Louis County Library is a free opportunity for kids to gather and have fun building with LEGO bricks. LEGOs are provided.

View this event »

Boo at the Zoo

Families and kids of all ages can enjoy festive decorations, entertainers, many of your favorite Zoo exhibits and lots more at the Saint Louis Zoo's nighttime, non-scary Halloween experience Boo at the Zoo!

Boo at the Zoo is a long-time St. Louis family favorite, with fun, spellbinding decorations and great photo opportunities, spooktacular entertainment as actors bring the decorated areas to life, interaction with the animals, fun at the 4-D Theater, Conservation Carousel, and more.

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Popular Stories

Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

You Might Also Like...

Find yourself at Forsyth on Sunday, October 25, 3:00–5:00 pm for All-School Open House! Perfect for families with candidates for any and every grade, All-School Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet our classroom and specialist teachers, chat with current students and families, and hear from Head of School Rob Butler. Advance registration is required.

Forsyth School fosters a spirit of curiosity and joy, empowering children age 2 through Grade 6 to pursue challenges with confidence. At Forsyth, our talented and caring teachers encourage students to explore and question, enabling them to learn deeply. Each child's unique identity is known, celebrated, and nurtured by our supportive community. The results are profound: children take risks, pursue challenges, and find joy in learning. The "Forsyth experience" is enriched by the school's unique campus, location, and commitment to the natural world. LEARN MORE AND RSVP

The Missouri History Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days! One Friday per month from September to May, homeschool families with kids of all ages can explore a different historical topic—together! All activities are FREE. Explore St. Louis history in new and exciting ways through interactive guided gallery tours, hands-on workshops, and community performances that align with each month’s theme, encouraging investigation, exploration, and creative fun. Activities are offered at various times throughout the day and are customized for specific grade-level groups.

Storytelling takes place in the morning, and all ages are welcome. Visit the craft room for fun learning experiences, with museum educators available to help learners participate in meaningful ways. Topics this school year include colonial St. Louis, baseball, Black history, and wildlife. Detailed schedules for each day will be posted to the Museum’s website. The program is offered on October 9, November 13, December 11, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 9, and May 14. LEARN MORE

What if school were a place where curiosity leads the way, learning comes to life, and children discover just how much they're capable of? At The College School, students from Preschool through Eighth Grade learn by doing. They explore creeks and forests, tackle meaningful challenges, ask big questions, and build the confidence to think independently. With strong academics, hands-on experiences, and a close-knit community, learning extends far beyond the classroom.

We invite you to experience it for yourself at our All-School Open House on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. Meet our teachers, explore our classrooms and learning spaces, and discover what makes The College School such a special place to grow.

Come see how an extraordinary education begins with the freedom to explore.

Register for Open House

From Our Sponsors