Most popular baby names of 2003

[Beth E. (NJ)]

MSN family reports that according to 2003 BabyCenter Baby Names List compiled by BabyCenter L.L.C., these were the most popular baby names for 2003 --

The top 10 names of 2003

Girls' names

Emily
Emma
Madison
Hannah
Hailey
Sarah
Kaitlyn
Isabella
Olivia
Abigail

Boys' names

Jacob
Aidan
Ethan
Matthew
Nicholas
Joshua
Ryan
Michael
Zachary
Tyler

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.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Forgot to add that neither of my daughter's names are on that list. But, if either of my girls had been a boy they would have been named Joshua. I wanted a "J" name for a boy to name the baby after my grandfather.

 

[browneyes]

My dd's first and middle name made the list. My son's names didn't though.

 

[cinmell]

Names that have been really popular with friends and family are Emma, Emily and Jake.

 

[always quiet]

It's funny, when my youngest born (and named Jessica!), Jessica was a very popular name. I thought for sure, once she went to school, there would ALWAYS be a Jessica in her class! Well, she is in 4th grade now and has NEVER had a girl in class with her name!!

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for posting! I always love hearing these. Emily and Jacob dont surprise me at all. They both seems to be everywhere.

LOL, Always quiet, we thought the same thing when we named our DS Cameron. It wasvery popular and there would be a ton of them. Well hes in his 4th year of school and has never had a Cameron in his grade, and right now there isnt even one in the whole elementary school. Go figure.

 

[honeywolf7]

Neither of my childrens' names (Jessica Marie and Robert Leon) are in those lists.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Both of mine are on there Michael and Sarah, I think the year DSwas born was the last year that Michael was #1

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My daughters name Haylee is on the list. But we love it anyhow. My sons name isn't, Brandon.

 

[4greatboys]

My oldest is Michael--he is 16. He sometimes had another Michael in his class but not really that often.
DS #2 made it on the list 2 times, he is Matthew Ryan. When I named him 13 years ago I didnt know any other Matthews.
DS #3 Made it on the list one time, his mn is Nicholas. His first name is Evan--not all that popular and I hope it stays that way
Last ds Connor David didnt make the list at all

 

[my3kids]

Mine didn't make the list at all. Two of them will never find personalized pencils or magnets on the display at the end of the aisle. The third probably wouldn't either, but she has a slim chance at least.

 

[Alice28]

We have a Joshua (2001). DH and I agreed upon the name---DH likes to name our children after historical references...Joshua Chamberlain was a big-wig in the Civil War- helped the North turn things around at Gettysburg and went on to be governor of Maine. I liked Joshua better than Theodore (Roosevelt) or Winston (Churchill) (my other choices), so Joshua it was. Our first son is Samuel Colt....any guesses what his name refers to? If we have a third, he will be Nathan Hale. Now, as for a girl, that's up to me! I would probably name her after a family member.

 

[Keli]

My dd Ashli has a very common name so she's always had kids in her classes named Ashli (well they always spell it differently, usually Ashley). I think it's a beautiful name though and very much fits my daughter. She just looks like an Ashli to me.

 

[GlennandAnn]

CamColt, we have a Cameron too, born in 1999. We thought it was going to become a really popular name, but used it in spite of that. Well, we have never come across another Cameron, but we did meet a Camryn (girl). I'm glad the name didn't get really popular.

Our younger DS is Douglas. We very rarely meet any other Dougs which is great. We wanted our kids to have different (but not weird) names.

Ann

 

[Kermit]

When we chose Jacob's name, we knew it had been the #1 boy's name longer than any other name. We didn't really want a name that was quite that popular, but it was the only one we could agree on. As an Amy, I know what a pain it can be to have a popular name.

 

[dcgrumpy]

When we chose Jacob's name, we knew it had been the #1 boy's name longer than any other name.

really? Michael was number one for over 30 years

 

[auntie]

My daugher's name is Amanda and she is 16. She always has other girls in her classes with the same name. I thought it was just a beautiful name..Amanda Christine..and she was actually named after a family member..a great Aunt..so I thought it was an "old fashioned" traditional name at the time..guess I was wrong. I just tell her that I'd rather have a name that other kids have ..than have the name..not many do. Mine is Phyllis..named after grandmother...filomenia..but personally would have prefered the Filomenia..sounds more ethnic..but not dorky!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

We didn't have to go through all of this. When we adopted DS he already had a name. We did change his middle name to Emanuel, because when we adopted him, we knew that God was truly with us.

 

[karmic]

My almost 17 year old daughter is named Kara- not really common (very hard to find on personalized doodads) but not odd. At the time I realy liked Kaitlyn but it seems every other girl her age is named that. DS (age 15) is Michael and yes it was the most popular name for at least 30 years.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Neither of my DDs names made it, but then I never expected them to! Ashlynn and Maiya also belong to the club of never being able to find personalized stuff without special ordering it!!