👶

The perfect name is out there — we're here to help you find it.

Baby names that were most popular around 1996. Browse the full list below, organized by gender, with meanings and origins for each name.

Quick facts: names popular in 1996

  • 6,939 names in our database peaked in popularity around 1996
  • 4,608 girl names and 3,046 boy names are associated with 1996
  • 1996 sits between the vintage revival window and today's trends
  • Nearby years with similar naming trends: 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998

Popular Girl Names 1996

159 girl names that peaked in popularity around 1996

#19
English
rival
#45
Latin
Victory
#48
Israel
חַנָּה
#87
American↑ Rising
Who is like God?
#94
France
of Magdala
#101
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#114
Hebrew
Hebrew
#154
American
English
#172
English
bailiff, steward
#203
Greece
Greek
#204
Greece
defender of mankind
#205
American
Originally a surname meaning 'maker of torches'.
#214
American
English
#229
Greek
Greek
#247
Welsh
Sea-born or sea-circle
#252
American↑ Rising
English
#253
France
French
#254
Hebrew
ewe
#257
English
peacock town
#258
American
Speckled or freckled
#260
England
to cut or to tailor
#280
American↑ Rising
Derived from the Old French word 'cadi,' meaning 'round' or 'barrel'
#300
French↑ Rising
heavenly
#301
Denmark
A beloved name with deep roots
#315
Scottish
red-haired
#324
English
Hebrew
#334
Greek
Greek
#340
Arabic
خليل
#342
Spanish↑ Rising
Emerald
#367
Irish
Warrior
#374
Italy↑ Rising
from France; free one
#377
American
Fortuity; luck; opportunity
#383
Arabic
King
#393
American
Mary's bitterness or wished-for child
#396
English
from the river Severn
#399
Ireland
From the grassland village
#429
American
English
#432
American
English
#444
France
French
#450
American↑ Rising
Irish
#455
American
raven
#456
Irish↑ Rising
Beautiful
#466
Democratic Republic of the Con↑ Rising
Lingala
#470
Ireland↑ Rising
Irish
#476
Kenya↑ Rising
Faith
#477
Ireland
Little dark one
#500
American
African American Vernacular English
#501
American
eagle
#501
American
A modern variant of the name Deja, often associated with the meaning 'already seen'.
#501
American
Variant of Kendra, meaning 'the knowing one'.
#501
Sweden
Christian, follower of Christ
#502
American
follower of Christ
#503
American
Created name, possibly derived from 'Day' combined with elements resembling 'Asia'
#503
American
Pure
#503
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#504
American
noble or strong
#504
American
An unexpected gift
#504
Arabic
thankful, grateful
#504
American
One who is strong
#505
American
Inspirational or a leader.
#506
USA
A modern variation on Desire, conveying strong emotions.
#506
American
Rival
#506
American
of Mars, warrior
#506
American
Combination of the name Trea and Anna, meaning 'pure'
#507
American
a combination of names
#507
American
desired, longed for
#507
American
A modern name combining elements of 'Gail' and 'Lynn', often interpreted as 'joyful' or 'light'.
#508
American
Shade, shadow
#509
American
divine
#509
American
French
#510
Greek
defender of men
#510
American
Variant of Kelsey, meaning 'island of ships'.
#510
American
a variant of Mylee, meaning 'lime' or 'abbreviation of Michelle'
#511
American
Blossom, flower
#512
Greece
defender of man
#512
American
English
#513
American
deluxe
#513
American
English
#514
Slovenia
light, bright, shining
#514
American
A modern variation of Brianna
#514
American
Alternative spelling of Dion, meaning 'follower of Dionysus'
#514
American
English
#514
American
A variation of the name 'Jerena', related to the Hebrew 'Yareach' meaning 'moon'.
#514
American
A blend inspired by 'Jacqueline' and other similar names.
#514
American
A variant of Kirsten, meaning 'Christian'.
#514
American
an invented name, possibly combining elements of Quen and Tavia, suggesting qualities of elegance and life.
#514
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#515
USA
Modern creative name possibly inspired by 'Cortney' or 'Octavia'.
#515
Mexico
The name Naibe is derived from the Nahuatl word 'nahui', meaning 'four'.
#516
England
Inhabitant by the river bay.
#516
Slavic regions
Slavic
#516
American
One who is strong.
#517
American
defender of mankind
#517
American
A modern variation of Brice, suggesting strength and vigor
#517
American
American
#518
American
English
#519
Nigeria
God has done this for us.
#519
American
Bravery; strong power
#519
France
French
#520
American
English
#521
American
Unknown origin, possibly a modern creative variation.
#521
American
church near a lake
#521
American
English
#522
Arabic
Companion with kindness
#523
American
The name is a modern variant of 'Khadijah', meaning 'premature child' in Arabic.
#523
American
combination of the prefix 'La' with a variant of 'Kaysha'.
#523
Japan
Japanese
#523
English
fairy princess
#524
Hebrew
Grace
#524
Spain
a form of 'Hayde', typically related to 'a form of beauty'
#524
Italy
stone
#524
American
English
#524
Hebrew
to be good or pleasing
#525
USA
valley
#525
American↑ Rising
The name Jamir is often associated with meaning like 'handsome' or 'beautiful'.
#525
American
American English
#525
American
Keandra is a modern blend of 'K' names, often associated with 'Kiana' and 'Aleandra'
#525
American
gift from God
#526
American
already
#527
Arabic
brilliance
#527
American
A variation of Leslie, often interpreted as 'garden of hollies'.
#527
American
Derived from the Latin word for 'lake'
#527
American
From the marsh
#527
USA
English
#528
American
Little drop of water
#528
American
Arabic
#529
American
American
#529
USA
Hebrew
#530
American
Who is like God?
#533
Spanish
derived from the name meaning 'of the sea' or 'sea mistress'
#533
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#533
Wales
to be a plough or furrow
#534
American
a modern name, possibly blending elements of 'Shane' and 'Nera'
#534
American
a variant of Tamesha, often associated with a modern interpretation of time
#534
Arabic
twin
#534
Arabic
ياسمين (Yasmeen) means 'jasmine flower'
#535
Greece
Αλέξιος (Defender)
#535
American
a modern created name, possibly a variation of LaDasha
#536
American
Of noble birth
#536
American
Variation of Mark, meaning 'warrior' or 'defender'
#537
American
Arabic
#537
American
Noble
#537
American↑ Rising
cool breeze over the mountains
#537
Nigeria
A short form of Kcee Shining Star, reflecting brightness and success.
#538
Saudi Arabia
English
#538
French
A diminutive form of the name Lisette, itself derived from Elizabeth meaning 'God is my oath'.
#538
India
The name Shalaka is derived from Sanskrit, meaning 'one who is bright and shining'.
#538
Scandinavian
serene
#538
USA
A graceful and beautiful being.
#539
India
Hindi
#539
Ireland
maiden
#539
American
Derived from the Old French surname 'Devon', meaning 'one from Devon' or 'of Devon'.
#540
American
A blend of 'Julia' and 'Lisa'
#540
France
reigning
#540
American
A modern, invented name possibly based on the name Tiana, which emphasizes beauty and grace.
#541
American
A blend of Ashley and Ellen, symbolizing a combination of strength and light.
#541
Spain
celestial
#541
Irish
pure
#543
American
defender of the people

Popular Boy Names 1996

107 boy names that peaked in popularity around 1996

#32
American
מַתִּתְיָהוּ - meaning 'gift of God'.
#68
Hebrew
אֲהָרֹן
#87
American↑ Rising
Who is like God?
#96
Israel
יָרְדֵן - Yarden, meaning 'to descend'
#101
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#154
American
English
#172
English
bailiff, steward
#203
Greece
Greek
#204
Greece
defender of mankind
#205
American
Originally a surname meaning 'maker of torches'.
#214
American
English
#229
Greek
Greek
#247
Welsh
Sea-born or sea-circle
#252
American↑ Rising
English
#253
France
French
#257
English
peacock town
#258
American
Speckled or freckled
#260
England
to cut or to tailor
#280
American↑ Rising
Derived from the Old French word 'cadi,' meaning 'round' or 'barrel'
#301
Denmark
A beloved name with deep roots
#315
Scottish
red-haired
#324
English
Hebrew
#334
Greek
Greek
#340
Arabic
خليل
#342
Spanish↑ Rising
Emerald
#367
Irish
Warrior
#374
Italy↑ Rising
from France; free one
#377
American
Fortuity; luck; opportunity
#383
Arabic
King
#393
American
Mary's bitterness or wished-for child
#396
English
from the river Severn
#399
Ireland
From the grassland village
#429
American
English
#432
American
English
#444
France
French
#450
American↑ Rising
Irish
#455
American
raven
#456
Irish↑ Rising
Beautiful
#466
Democratic Republic of the Con↑ Rising
Lingala
#470
Ireland↑ Rising
Irish
#476
Kenya↑ Rising
Faith
#477
Ireland
Little dark one
#500
USA
From the valley of the rivers
#500
Japan
one hundred years
#500
USA
A beloved name with deep roots
#501
Bangladesh
Arabic
#502
American
God gives victory
#503
France
Christian, follower of Christ.
#503
Greece
Greek
#504
USA
A variation of the name Juan, which means 'God is gracious' in Spanish.
#505
American
victorious or conqueror
#505
American
impulsive
#505
American
English
#506
Hebrew
God has sent
#507
Turkey
Brave or warrior.
#508
American
Shade, shadow
#508
Japan
Wise, virtuous, abundant
#509
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#509
American
A variant that combines 'shy' with an element of 'quan', often associated with presence and charisma.
#511
Hebrew
exalted father
#511
Arabic
The one who is praised.
#512
Bosnia and Herzegovina
One who brings peace and higher order
#513
American
English
#514
American
Alternative spelling of Dion, meaning 'follower of Dionysus'
#514
English
A combination of John and Tay
#515
Arabic
he who brings joy
#516
England
Inhabitant by the river bay.
#516
American
American English
#516
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#516
Pakistan
prince
#517
American
defender of mankind
#517
American
A modern variation of Brice, suggesting strength and vigor
#517
American
A modern variation of Elijah, which means 'Yahweh is my God'.
#519
Arabic
Intelligent, wise
#519
Nigeria
God has done this for us.
#519
American
Bravery; strong power
#521
American
church near a lake
#523
Scotland
Scottish
#523
Japan
Japanese
#524
Hebrew
Grace
#524
Hebrew
to be good or pleasing
#525
USA
valley
#525
American↑ Rising
The name Jamir is often associated with meaning like 'handsome' or 'beautiful'.
#525
American
Keandra is a modern blend of 'K' names, often associated with 'Kiana' and 'Aleandra'
#526
American
African
#527
Iran
Persian
#528
American
Little drop of water
#528
Hebrew
My God is Yahweh (אֱלִיָּהוּ)
#528
American
American
#533
American
Strong oak
#533
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#534
Turkey
Turkish
#534
American
a modern invented name, possibly a variation of Tyshawn or Tysheem
#534
Arabic
ياسمين (Yasmeen) means 'jasmine flower'
#535
Greece
Αλέξιος (Defender)
#535
English
A blend of names, likely inspired by Damon and the suffix '-yune'
#535
American
from the land near the river
#536
American
Of noble birth
#536
American
Variation of Mark, meaning 'warrior' or 'defender'
#537
American
Arabic
#537
American↑ Rising
cool breeze over the mountains
#537
American
A beloved name with deep roots
#538
American
derived name with unknown specific meaning, unique contemporary name.
#539
India
Hindi
#540
American
A blend of 'Julia' and 'Lisa'
#540
France
reigning
#541
American
A blend of Ashley and Ellen, symbolizing a combination of strength and light.

Get your free baby name shortlist

Tell us your style, we'll send 20 names you'll love — curated, not generated.