Are you looking for cute baby names? This article explains the meaning and history of the 50 most popular baby names in the United States this year.

25 Most Popular Names for BOYS

1 (most popular). Jacob is a biblical name, which has its origins in the Hebrew language.

Jacob means 'supplanter' or 'one who grasps the heel;' this is because the biblical Jacob was born holding his twin brother's heel.

2. Michael is a biblical name, which means 'who is like God.' The bearer of this name in the bible is the leader of heaven's armies, and so is considered the patron saint of soldiers.

3. Joshua is from the Hebrew language, and means 'savior.' In the bible Joshua was chosen to lead the Isrealites as the successor to Moses.

4. Matthew is a biblical name, meaning 'given,' or 'reward.' Matthew was one of the 12 apostles, and wrote the first Gospel in the New Testament regarding the life of Jesus.

5. Andrew is a biblical name which means 'manly' and 'brave.' In the bible Andrew was the first apostle, and is the patron saint of Scotland and of Russia.

6. Joseph is a biblical name meaning 'addition,' or 'increase.'

7. Ethan is the name from the Old Testament. It means 'solid, strong,' and 'constancy, enduring.'

8. Daniel means 'God is my judge.' In the Old Testament Daniel was a prophet.

9. Christopher is a Latin name, and it means 'bearing Christ,' or 'he who holds Christ in his heart.' When Jesus was a child, Saint Christopher is believed to have carried him across a river.

10. Anthony is a Latin name which means 'flower,' from the Greek word anthos, or 'priceless.'

11. William has its origins in the German language, and means 'helmet, protection.' This is also the first name of Mr. Shakespeare.

12. Ryan is an Irish name in origin, which means 'little king

13. Nicholas is a Greek name which means 'the people's victory.' St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus, is the patron saint of children and merchants.

14. David is a Hebrew name meaning 'beloved,' or 'dear.' In the Old Testament David was the second king of Israel.

15. Tyler is derived from an Old English surname which was used to denote one's occupation as a 'tile layer.'

16. Alexander is derived from the Greek. It means 'defender of men.'

17. John is a biblical name; owned by John the Baptist and John the apostle. John means 'gracious,' or 'mercy of the Lord.'

18. James is a Hebrew name, and a derivative of the common name Jacob. James means 'to supplant.'

19. Dylan is a Welsh name and means 'sea,' or 'Son of the wave.'

20. Zachary is an English variant on the Hebrew name Zachariah, which means 'remembered by God.'

21. Brandon is an English name of a place, which meant 'hill covered with broom;' broom is a weed. Brandon is also a variant of the Irish name Brendan, which either means 'prince,' or 'stinking hair.'

22. Jonathan is a biblical name which means 'given of God.'

23. Samuel is a Hebrew name, held by a prophet in the Old Testament. It means 'God has heard.'

24. Christian meand 'follower of Christ,' and has origins in many languages and cultures.

25. Benjamin is a Hebrew name appearing in the Old Testament; it means 'son of the right hand.'

25 Most Popular Names for GIRLS

1. Emily has its origins in Latin, and means 'industrious' in French and German as well.

2. Emma has German and English origins, and means 'whole,' or 'universal' in both languages.

3. Madison is an English surname derived either from the name Matthew, meaning 'gift,' or is derived from the name Matilda, meaning 'strong fighter.'

4. Hannah is a Hebrew name which means 'gracious,' and 'merciful.'

5. Olivia is a derivative of the Latin word 'olive,' which is a symbol of peace.

6. Abigail is a Hebrew name meaning 'Father's joy.'

7. Alexis is from the Greek; it means 'helper,' or 'defender.'

8. Ashley is an English name that means 'she dwells in the ash tree grove.'

9. Elizabeth is a biblical name; the mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament. Elizabeth means 'oath of God.'

10. Samantha is a feminine form of the name Samuel. Samantha means 'listener.'

11. Isabella means 'devoted to God' in Hebrew. It is also supposed to be a Spanish variant on the name Elizabeth.

12. Sarah is the biblical wife of Abraham and mother Issac, the name Sarah means 'princess.'

13. Grace is an English name meaning 'God's favor.'

14. Alyssa, according to the Greek tradition, means rational.

15. Lauren means 'from the place of Laurel trees,' which in Greek culture are symbols of honor and victory.

16. Kayla means 'keeper of the keys,' or 'pure' in both English and Greek.

17. Brianna is from Celtic, meaning 'she who ascends,' or 'strong.'

18. Jessica has Shakespearean origins, first appearing in its modern form in the play 'The Merchant of Venice.'

19. Taylor was an English surname denoting the occupation of tailor.

20. Sophia is from the Greek, and means 'wise.'

21. Anna was used in the Native American Algonquin tribe to mean 'mother,' and also holds the meaning 'grace' in many languages, including Russian.

22. Victoria was the Roman goddess of victory, and the name consequently means 'victorious.'

23. Natalie is derived from the Latin, and means 'born at Christmas.'

24. Chloe means 'green shoot' in Greek. The name also appears in the bible.

25. Sydney means 'from Saint-Denis,' or 'wide-island.' The name has traceable origins in French and in English.

Monica Nelson writes articles that answer womens health questions such as what are common pregnancy symptoms, which pregnancy tests are more accurate, what are popular baby names which weightloss programs really work, and other topics of interest to women.