Top Baby Names for 2003

Jacob and Emily were the most popular baby names in the United States for the third year in a row, according to the 2003 BabyCenter Baby Names List compiled by BabyCenter L.L.C., the leading online resource for new and expectant parents. However, there were major upheavals in the rankings below the number-one spots.

The use of classic feminine names like Emily, Abigail and Isabella increased significantly for girls, a move away from the TV-inspired names that have been popular since the mid-1990s, such as Alexis and Brianna. The boys' names list, which typically varies very little year to year, also saw unusual movement but in the opposite direction. Longtime classic boys' names such as Michael and Christopher are being edged out by newcomers such as Aidan, Ryan and Zachary.

Girls' names

Emily
Emma
Madison
Hannah
Hailey
Sarah
Kaitlyn
Isabella
Olivia
Abigail

Boys'names


Jacob
Aidan
Ethan
Matthew
Nicholas
Joshua
Ryan
Michael
Zachary
Tyler

BabyCenter compiled its annual baby names list from more than 300,000 members who had babies in 2003, the largest private list available. The BabyCenter list is unique because names with the same pronunciation but different spellings are combined to give a more accurate view of name popularity