Each year, the Social Security Administration releases a list of the most popular names given to babies around the country. The 2018 edition has dropped and I’m oh-so-excited to give my two cents! While it doesn’t contain any shockers, it’s a solid list with many tried-and-true classics.

Let’s look at the top 10 names for boys and girls…

BOYS

1. Liam

Taking out the top spot for the second year in a row, Liam has truly come into its own since its days as the Irish short form of William. Famous namesakes include Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, actor Liam Neeson and One Direction’s Liam Payne.

2. Noah

Noah has moved past its biblical origins and arrived squarely into the 21^st century. While it will always recall a man with an ark full of animals, it has a soft and gentle ring to it that clearly appeals to modern parents.

3. William

Prince William has increased the profile of this ever-popular classic. Meaning “resolute protection”, it comes with a range of appealing nicknames including Will, Billy, Bill and Liam.

4. James 

If you’re looking for staying power James is a winner. From King of England James I to the great actor James Earl Jones, it has a lot of street cred.

5. Oliver

Oliver has been all the rage in England and Australia for several years now, but we’re only just catching on. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and friendship, lending a deep meaning to a simple sobriquet.

6. Benjamin

This name feels so familiar even though you can’t quite remember meeting any Benjamins. Given that it hasn’t dipped below number 27 since 2000, you probably have – but they’re more likely to have introduced themselves as Ben or Benji.

7. Elijah

Elijah is the exact opposite of Benjamin – I don’t feel like it’s that common, yet it’s been in the top 20 since 2010. Perhaps its widespread appeal can be attributed to the fact that Elijah was an important figure in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

8. Lucas

I adore the multicultural feel of this attractive appellation. Is it Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese or Dutch? No one seems to know for sure, but credible sources trace it back to an ancient area of Southern Italy known as Lucania.

9. Mason 

This name has been a smash-hit since Kourtney Kardashian named her son Mason in 2009. It finds its origins from an old English surname, Stonemason, given to someone who worked with stone.

10. Logan

This Scottish surname meaning “hollow” has been making a discreet ascension up the charts for the past decade and finally made it into the top 10 last year. As long as it fits well with your last name, it can be a distinctive choice.

GIRLS

1. Emma

Emma called to say that she’s been in the top three since 2003 and she’s not planning on going anywhere. Given her rich literary and pop-culture history – from Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma to actress Emma Stone – she’s probably right.

2. Olivia

This endearing epithet has been dancing around the top 10 for close to two decades. Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, James Van Der Beek and Lance Armstrong all have daughters named Olivia.

3. Ava

What’s not to love about short-and-sweet Ava? Not only does it have the uplifting meaning of “life”, but celebs such as Reese Witherspoon and Kevin Dillon have been going cuckoo for it for years.

4. Isabella

I’m a sucker for the -ella names (I have an Arabella!), so this is a winner in my books. Isabella has been in the top 10 for 15 years thanks in large part to the popularity of the Twilight series and its heroine Isabella (Bella) Swan.

5. Sophia

Sophia has all the makings of a modern hit: vintage appeal, the feminine -a ending, and a fantastic meaning (“wisdom”). I’m sure it will stay in the top five for years to come.

6. Charlotte

This lovely moniker was already popular before Prince William and Kate Middleton bestowed it on their daughter in 2015, but it’s been steadily climbing the charts since then.

7. Mia

The first time I heard of a baby called Mia about a decade ago, I found it unusual in its conciseness. Since then, it’s become firmly entrenched in the top 10 due to its feminine and culturally diverse feel.

8. Amelia

Another usual suspect in the top 10, Amelia ticks both the vintage and romantic boxes that are so hot right now. I love that it’s associated with two feminist icons – Amelia Bloomer was a women’s rights advocate and Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic

9. Harper

Why, hello, little gem! In an ocean of names that have been gradually rising up the ranks for years, you jumped from number 887 in 2004 to number nine in 2018. Harper Beckham, born in 2011, is without a doubt the cause of your sudden boost in popularity.

10. Evelyn

With all the beguiling vintage names to choose from, Evelyn feels a bit dusty. I don’t dislike it, but my gut feeling is that she’ll be called Eve or Evie in no time. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with a serious name on a birth certificate and a cute one in real life.