It Feels like 2016 Again, Baby Name List

Yes, the online world keeps harping on how it feels like 2016 again, with trends, milestones, and fashion getting numerous nods in social media. And perhaps that is enough to make you skip this blog, but as Miranda Pristly says, “Oh, okay, I see, you think this has nothing to do with you.”

I’m curious if we’ll see a resurgence of names that were popular in 2016. It was a great year for names, and keep reading to see what names are STILL in the top ten for 2025.

Top 10 Boys’ Names Nationwide (Births in 2016)

According to Social Security Administration data for 2016 (national top-10):

1. Noah

2. Liam

3. William

4. Mason

5. James

6. Benjamin

7. Jacob

8. Michael

9. Elijah

10. Ethan

Illinois context: The top statewide ranks for Illinois births that year showed Noah and Liam leading the boys’ names as well (with Oliver and Benjamin also among Illinois favorites).

Top 10 Girls’ Names — Nationwide (Births in 2016)

According to the same SSA report for 2016:

1. Emma

2. Olivia

3. Ava

4. Sophia

5. Isabella

6. Mia

7. Charlotte

8. Abigail

9. Emily

10. Harper

These were the most frequently given girls’ names across the U.S. in 2016.

Illinois context: In Illinois births for 2016, Olivia, Emma, Sophia, Ava, and Mia were also among the state’s top female names.

Gender-Neutral / Unisex Names

• Riley – popular for both boys and girls (debuted strongly in the 2010s and peaked for girls around 2016)

• Charlie – widely used by both sexes around this period (an increasingly neutral favorite)

• Finley – trending as a unisex name in the late 2010s

• Skyler / Skylar – balanced gender usage in 2016 era data

• Justice – saw relatively balanced gender use in that era

• Lennon – also among names moving toward unisex use

• Oakley – another name with close gender balance

• Armani – roughly balanced usage in that period

• Landry – balanced name profile around 2016 trends

• Azariah – used for both boys and girls

These aren’t necessarily top-10 SSA ranked names, but they represent popular unisex names in or around the 2016 erat hat parents were choosing for either gender or aiming for gender neutrality.

Curious about what names are still sitting on the list through the last decade?

Boy Leaning Names Appearing on Both Lists

• Noah — #1 boys’ name in 2016; still #2 among boys circa 2025.

• Liam — #2 in 2016; still #1 in 2025 trends.

• James — #5 in 2016; remains popular in 2025 top 10.

• Elijah — #9 in 2016; still in top 10 in 2025 trends.

• William — #3 in 2016; remains in top 10 circa 2025.

Girl Leaning Names Appearing on Both Lists

• Emma — #1 in 2016; still #2 in 2025 trends.

• Olivia — #2 in 2016; still #1 in 2025 trends.

• Ava — #3 in 2016; remains in top 10 around 2025.

• Sophia — #4 in 2016; still top 10 in 2025 trends.

• Charlotte — #7 in 2016; still top 10 in 2025 trends.

• Isabella — #5 in 2016; still top 10 in 2025 trends.

• Mia — #6 in 2016; still top 10 circa 2025.