The Los Angeles Department of Public Health has just dropped the list of most popular baby names for 2016, and we’re seeing definite patterns. For boys, biblical names are trending. (Hi, Noah!) And for girls, the names are movie-star-worthy. (Why hello, Ava and Emma.) See what names you’ll be hearing on the playground soon.
The 20 Most Popular Baby Names in Los Angeles
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Published Mar 10, 2017
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No. 10
Julian
The name is a derivation of Julius Caesar. So be ready to serve him, now!
Ava
It means “rare bird” in Latin. Perfect for that precious baby girl, whose voice sounds just like song. Especially at 2 a.m.
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No. 9
Abigail
Means “father’s little joy” in Hebrew. So get ready to spoil her rotten.
Jayden
A cross between Jacob and Aidan, this name has charmed celebs including Will Smith and Britney Spears. So Hollywood.
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No. 8
Alexander
There are a million things he hasn’t done. But just you wait, just you wait.
Victoria
The Roman goddess of victory. Good luck keeping up.
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No. 7
Camila
Only designer onesies will do for this tot.
Nathan
Get this kid a ballpark frank.
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No. 6
Daniel
Remember the Bible story about Daniel in the lion’s den? This little guy is destined to roar.
Sofia
Little Sofia is named after the personification of wisdom. Which is a pretty cool trait in a newborn.
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No. 5
Emily
From the German, the name Emily means “hard-working.” So you’re gonna need a bigger bag of Legos.
Sebastian
Want a goody-goody, or at least a tyke that presents as one? Name him after a third century saint (or Ariel’s snarky crustacean sidekick).
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No. 4
Jacob
A little Jacob won’t be easygoing; he shares his name with the biblical figure who grasped his twin brother’s heel on the way out of the womb. Ah, siblings.
Isabella
She’s the queen who sent Columbus to settle the New World. She’s also the girl who fell in love with a vampire in the Twilight series. Choose your own adventure.
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No. 3
Olivia
You can tell people you named her after the Shakespearean countess. Or just be real and say Olivia Benson on Law and Order: SVU is your idea of a perfect woman.
Ethan
Ethan Allen was a strong Revolutionary War soldier, so your kid will be ready for battle.
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No. 2
Noah
He’s all about the water, and don’t be surprised if he’s lining up all his stuffed animals two-by-two.
Emma
It’s German for “universal,” and we’re universally fascinated by literary characters like Bovary, suffragette Goldman and Jane Austen’s titular matchmaker.
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No. 1
Mia
In a tie for most popular baby girl name in Los Angeles, we have Mia, which means “beloved.” Awww.
Sophia
The “ph” spelling of number 6 on the girls' list ties for first place. Proving what we already know—that women have lots of wisdom.
Matthew
Los Angeles County’s most popular boy name is fitting, for an entertainment capital. After all, Matthew, as one of the scribes of the books of the Bible, is a great storyteller.
