Liam

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Short form of William.

Popularity: Became popular in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, and elsewhere in Europe and the Americas after that. It was the top-ranked name for boys in the United States beginning in 2017.

Famous Bearers: British actor Liam Neeson (1952-), British musician Liam Gallagher (1972-), and Australian actor Liam Hemsworth (1990-).

Olivia

Origin: This name was used in this spelling by William Shakespeare for a character in his comedy Twelfth Night (1602). It may have been based on Oliva or Oliver, or directly from the Latin word oliva meaning "olive".

Popularity: Used since the 18th century in the English-speaking world, it became popular in the latter half of the 20th century. Its rise in the 1970s may have been inspired by a character on The Waltons or singer Olivia Newton-John. It reached the top rank in England and Wales by 2008 and in the United States by 2019.

Famous Bearers: British-American actress Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020), among others.

Noah

Origin: From the Hebrew (Noach) meaning "rest, repose".

Biblical Story: Noah, the builder of the Ark in the Old Testament, survived the Great Flood with his family and animals of each species. Received the rainbow as a covenant from God.

Popularity: Used since the Protestant Reformation, common among Puritans. Grew in popularity in the United States from the 1970s, with notable boosts in the 1990s and 2000s. Most popular name for boys in America between 2013 and 2016.

Notable Bearers: American lexicographer Noah Webster (1758-1843). The name's popularity was also influenced by actor Noah Wyle and the main character in the movie The Notebook.

Global Reach: Popular in English-speaking countries, Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and France.

Emma

Origin: A short form of Germanic names beginning with the element "irmin", meaning "whole" or "great".

Historical Context: Popularized in England by Emma of Normandy, queen consort to both King Ethelred II and King Canute. Also the name of an 11th-century Austrian saint.

Popularity: Gained popularity in England post-Norman Conquest. Revived in the 18th century, possibly influenced by Matthew Prior's poem and Jane Austen's novel "Emma". Ranked third in the United States in 1880, declined over the next century, but rose again in the 1980s, becoming the most popular name for girls in 2008.

Global Reach: Popular in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands.

Notable Bearers: Actresses Emma Thompson, Emma Stone, and Emma Watson.

Oliver

Origin: Possibly derived from Old Norse "Aleifr" or Frankish "Alawar". The spelling was influenced by the Latin word "oliva" for "olive tree".

Historical Context: Gained prominence from the French epic "La Chanson de Roland". In England, its use declined post-17th century due to Oliver Cromwell's rule, but revived in the 19th century, partly influenced by Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist".

Popularity: Became common again in the 21st century, reaching top ranks for boys in England and Wales in 2009 and entering the top ten in the United States in 2017.

Notable Associations: Character Oliver Twist in Dickens' novel depicting a poor orphan in London.

Charlotte

Origin: French feminine diminutive of Charles. It entered British usage in the 17th century.

Historical Significance: The name of an 18th-century queen consort of Great Britain and Ireland of German origin. Also borne by Charlotte Bronte, a renowned novelist.

Popularity: Gained traction in France and England towards the late 20th century, coinciding with a period of reduced popularity in the United States. It experienced a significant rise in the U.S., breaking into the top ten in 2014.

Notable Associations: Charlotte Bronte, author of "Jane Eyre" and "Villette", and the titular character of the children's novel "Charlotte's Web" by E. B. White.

Amelia

Origin: Variant of Amalia, distinct from Emilia.

Historical Significance: Gained popularity in England with the Hanoverian succession in the 18th century. Used by Henry Fielding for his novel's title character.

Famous Bearers: Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviator who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Popularity: Saw a resurgence in popularity towards the end of the 20th century, becoming the top name for girls in England and Wales from 2011 to 2015.

Sophia

Origin: Means "wisdom" in Greek. Associated with an early saint and the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

Historical Significance: Popular among European royalty in the Middle Ages and revitalized in Britain by the House of Hanover.

Literary Influence: Featured in Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones" and Oliver Goldsmith's "The Vicar of Wakefield".

Popularity: Gained widespread popularity in the United States in the 1990s, topping the charts for girls from 2011 to 2013.

Famous Bearers: Italian actress Sophia Loren.

John

Origin: Derived from the Hebrew (Yochanan) meaning "Yahweh is gracious". It came to English via Latin and Greek forms.

Significance: Popular due to New Testament figures like John the Baptist and the apostle John. John the Baptist baptized Jesus and was executed by Herod Antipas. The apostle John is traditionally seen as the author of the fourth gospel and Revelation.

Popularity: Widespread in Eastern Christianity initially, it became extremely popular in Western Europe, especially England, from the 13th to 20th centuries, often being the most common male name.

Notable Bearers: 21 popes, eight Byzantine emperors, various European monarchs, poet John Milton, philosopher John Locke, American president John Adams, and musicians like John Lennon.

Related Forms: Ian (Scottish), Sean (Irish), Evan (Welsh), and the medieval diminutive Jack.

Mary

Origin: Usual English form of Maria, derived from the Hebrew name (Miryam). The meaning is uncertain, with theories including "sea of bitterness", "rebelliousness", and "wished for child". Likely originally an Egyptian name.

Significance: A key figure in the New Testament, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is renowned for her virgin conception. Other notable New Testament characters share this name, including Mary Magdalene.

Popularity: Due to the Virgin Mary, this name has been widely popular in the Christian world. It was highly common in England since the 12th century and in the United States until the mid-20th century.

Notable Bearers: Queens of England and Scotland, Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. The character Mary Poppins is another famous bearer.

William

Origin: Derived from the Germanic name Willehelm, meaning "will helmet", a combination of the elements for "will" and "protection".

Historical Significance: Popularized in England by William the Conqueror, with four English kings and other European rulers bearing the name.

Notable Figures: William Wallace, William Tell, dramatist William Shakespeare, poets William Blake and William Wordsworth, and authors William Butler Yeats, William Faulkner, and William S. Burroughs.

Popularity: Consistently popular in English-speaking countries, never out of the top 20 in American rankings since 1880. Its diminutive form, Liam, has also seen popularity.

Anna

Origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Channah, used in the Greek and Latin Old Testament. Associated with Saint Anna, traditionally known as the mother of the Virgin Mary.

Historical Significance: Gained popularity due to its biblical connections and veneration of Saint Anna. Common in Western Christianity since the Middle Ages.

Notable Figures: Russian royalty, including an 18th-century Empress of Russia. The main character in Leo Tolstoy's novel "Anna Karenina".

Popularity: Has been a common name in English-speaking countries since the 1970s. The biblical form Hannah is currently more popular.

James

Origin: Derived from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov. English form of the Late Latin name Iacomus, a variant of Iacobus. Known in the Bible as the name of two apostles.

Historical Significance: Used since the 13th century in England, became more popular in Scotland. Associated with several kings and the Scottish king James VI, who became the first ruler of all Britain in the 17th century.

Popularity: Consistently popular, remaining in the top 20 in American name statistics since 1880. Top ranked name for boys in the United States from 1940 to 1952.

Famous Bearers: Captain James Cook, James Watt, James Joyce, and six American presidents. Fictional character James Bond is also a notable bearer.

Elizabeth

Origin: From the Greek form of the Hebrew name ('Elisheva') meaning "my God is an oath". Appears in both the Old and New Testaments.

Historical Significance: Popularized in England since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. Borne by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and numerous European royals.

Popularity: In American name statistics since 1880, it has never ranked lower than 30, making it one of the most consistently popular girls' names in the United States.

Famous Bearers: Queen Elizabeth I, Empress Elizabeth of Russia, Queen Elizabeth II, and actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Charles

Origin: From Carolus, the Latin form of Karl, meaning "man" or possibly "army". Gained popularity due to Charlemagne and other notable historical figures.

Historical Significance: Associated with rulers across Europe, including Holy Roman Emperors and kings of France, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary. The name became synonymous with "king" in several Eastern European languages.

Popularity: Became common in Britain in the 17th century with King Charles I. It continues to be used by royalty, including the current UK monarch.

Famous Bearers: Naturalist Charles Darwin, novelist Charles Dickens, statesman Charles de Gaulle, and cartoonist Charles Schulz.