New arrivals: The most popular baby names of 2015

Ashley Strickland
By Ashley Strickland, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 12:53 PM EDT, Fri May 6, 2016
The Social Security Administration's annual <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/" target="_blank" target="_blank">list of popular baby names</a> tends to reflect pop culture's influence. It's impossible to say with certainty who inspired baby name trends, but movies, TV, music and sports can reveal who keeps the trends alive. Click through the gallery to see the memorable celebs and characters whose names were among the most popular in 2015.<br /><br />The name Noah climbed to 23 in 2005, the year after Ryan Gosling melted hearts as Noah in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook." The name has continued to gain popularity over the years, hitting No. 1 in 2015 for the third year.
1. Noah —
The Social Security Administration's annual list of popular baby names tends to reflect pop culture's influence. It's impossible to say with certainty who inspired baby name trends, but movies, TV, music and sports can reveal who keeps the trends alive. Click through the gallery to see the memorable celebs and characters whose names were among the most popular in 2015.

The name Noah climbed to 23 in 2005, the year after Ryan Gosling melted hearts as Noah in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook." The name has continued to gain popularity over the years, hitting No. 1 in 2015 for the third year.
New Line cinema
The name Emma debuted in the top 10 in 2002 and was the most popular name for baby girls in 2008. Actress <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914612/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Emma Watson</a> made her cinematic debut in 2001 as Hermione in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
1. Emma —
The name Emma debuted in the top 10 in 2002 and was the most popular name for baby girls in 2008. Actress Emma Watson made her cinematic debut in 2001 as Hermione in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
The name Liam jumped from 75 in 2008 to 49 in 2009 and has been rising fast ever since. Actor Liam Hemsworth started his acting career in Australian TV before his breakthrough role in the hit film "The Hunger Games" in 2012.
2. Liam —
The name Liam jumped from 75 in 2008 to 49 in 2009 and has been rising fast ever since. Actor Liam Hemsworth started his acting career in Australian TV before his breakthrough role in the hit film "The Hunger Games" in 2012.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
The name Olivia has been moving up and down the top 10 list since making its debut in 2001. Actress Olivia Wilde began appearing in the popular TV series "The O.C." in 2003, but her role as Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley in "House" propelled her to international stardom.
2. Olivia —
The name Olivia has been moving up and down the top 10 list since making its debut in 2001. Actress Olivia Wilde began appearing in the popular TV series "The O.C." in 2003, but her role as Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley in "House" propelled her to international stardom.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Mason Cook is an American child actor. He is known for his portrayal of Cecil Wilson in "Spy Kids" and Murray in the ABC series "The Goldbergs." His name dropped from No. 2 in 2012 to No. 3 in 2014, after making a leap from 12 in 2010 to two in 2011.
3. Mason —
Mason Cook is an American child actor. He is known for his portrayal of Cecil Wilson in "Spy Kids" and Murray in the ABC series "The Goldbergs." His name dropped from No. 2 in 2012 to No. 3 in 2014, after making a leap from 12 in 2010 to two in 2011.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Sophia, the most popular name for girls since 2011, fell to No. 3 in 2014. It first cracked the top 10 in 2006. By then, Sophia Bush had made a name for herself as Brooke Davis in the popular CW teen drama "One Tree Hill," which ran from 2003 to 2012.
3. Sophia —
Sophia, the most popular name for girls since 2011, fell to No. 3 in 2014. It first cracked the top 10 in 2006. By then, Sophia Bush had made a name for herself as Brooke Davis in the popular CW teen drama "One Tree Hill," which ran from 2003 to 2012.
Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images
Jacob had been the most popular name for boys since 1999 but was unseated by Noah in 2013. Jacob is the name of a character in the popular "Twilight" series and of "Room" actor Jacob Tremblay.
4. Jacob —
Jacob had been the most popular name for boys since 1999 but was unseated by Noah in 2013. Jacob is the name of a character in the popular "Twilight" series and of "Room" actor Jacob Tremblay.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Ava been the fifth-most popular name for girls since 2008. It's a popular name for the children of celebrities, such as Ava Phillippe, daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, and Ava Jackman, daughter of Hugh Jackman. The most famous Ava of all: 20th-century film star Ava Gardner.
4. Ava —
Ava been the fifth-most popular name for girls since 2008. It's a popular name for the children of celebrities, such as Ava Phillippe, daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, and Ava Jackman, daughter of Hugh Jackman. The most famous Ava of all: 20th-century film star Ava Gardner.
John Peodincuk/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
William is holding steady at No. 5 for another year; it gets a royal boost from the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
5. William —
William is holding steady at No. 5 for another year; it gets a royal boost from the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
Saeed Khan/Pool/Getty Images
Isabella went from the 45th-most popular baby name for girls in 2000 to No. 1 in 2009. It could be related to the popularity of the "Twilight" book series, the vampire-themed fantasy romance novel documenting the trials of Isabella Swan, known as Bella. The first novel in the series was published in 2005, and the first film adaptation, starring Kristen Stewart, debuted in 2008.
4. Isabella —
Isabella went from the 45th-most popular baby name for girls in 2000 to No. 1 in 2009. It could be related to the popularity of the "Twilight" book series, the vampire-themed fantasy romance novel documenting the trials of Isabella Swan, known as Bella. The first novel in the series was published in 2005, and the first film adaptation, starring Kristen Stewart, debuted in 2008.
Summit
Ethan entered the Top 10 in 2002 at No. 5 but has yet to grab the top spot. Actor Ethan Hawke has been stealing hearts since his role in the 1989 film "Dead Poets Society."
6. Ethan —
Ethan entered the Top 10 in 2002 at No. 5 but has yet to grab the top spot. Actor Ethan Hawke has been stealing hearts since his role in the 1989 film "Dead Poets Society."
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Mia was the sixth-most popular name among girls in 2015, with plenty of possible celeb inspiration, from soccer star Mia Hamm to "The Fast and the Furious" character Mia Toretto, played by actress Jordana Brewster.
6. Mia —
Mia was the sixth-most popular name among girls in 2015, with plenty of possible celeb inspiration, from soccer star Mia Hamm to "The Fast and the Furious" character Mia Toretto, played by actress Jordana Brewster.
Jaimie Trueblood/Universal Studios
Since 1900, the name James has been in the top 20, but it hadn't cracked the top 10 since 1992. That changed in 2014, perhaps thanks to popular actors like James Franco.
7. James —
Since 1900, the name James has been in the top 20, but it hadn't cracked the top 10 since 1992. That changed in 2014, perhaps thanks to popular actors like James Franco.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Abigail hasn't always enjoyed A-list popularity; for most of the first half of the 20th century, it failed to crack the top 1,000 names. Its star has risen alongside that of Abigail Breslin, born in 1996. She made her screen debut in "Signs" in 2002 and was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in "Little Miss Sunshine" in 2006.
7. Abigail —
Abigail hasn't always enjoyed A-list popularity; for most of the first half of the 20th century, it failed to crack the top 1,000 names. Its star has risen alongside that of Abigail Breslin, born in 1996. She made her screen debut in "Signs" in 2002 and was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in "Little Miss Sunshine" in 2006.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Alexander has long been among the most popular names for boys, and in 2015, it ranked eighth. It's a popular name in Hollywood too, from "Nebraska" filmmaker Alexander Payne to actor Alexander Ludwig, pictured, who played Cato in "The Hunger Games."
8. Alexander —
Alexander has long been among the most popular names for boys, and in 2015, it ranked eighth. It's a popular name in Hollywood too, from "Nebraska" filmmaker Alexander Payne to actor Alexander Ludwig, pictured, who played Cato in "The Hunger Games."
Getty Images
Actress Emily Blunt is one of many famous Emilys who could be keeping the name in the top 10; it was ranked No. 8 in 2015. In February 2014, Blunt gave birth to a daughter named Hazel. She's now expecting her second child.
8. Emily —
Actress Emily Blunt is one of many famous Emilys who could be keeping the name in the top 10; it was ranked No. 8 in 2015. In February 2014, Blunt gave birth to a daughter named Hazel. She's now expecting her second child.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Michael has been a popular name for boys across the generations. In 2015, it was ranked ninth. Basketball legend Michael Jordan is surely one of the best-known Michaels of all.
9. Michael —
Michael has been a popular name for boys across the generations. In 2015, it was ranked ninth. Basketball legend Michael Jordan is surely one of the best-known Michaels of all.
Elsa/Getty Images
One of the most famous Charlottes of today is surely the British princess, whose parents are Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge was born May 2, 2015, and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/01/europe/uk-princess-charlotte-photos/">recently celebrated her first birthday</a>.
9. Charlotte —
One of the most famous Charlottes of today is surely the British princess, whose parents are Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge was born May 2, 2015, and recently celebrated her first birthday.
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace/AP
It's an old name, but Benjamin was a new addition to the top 10 list in 2015. Among the buzziest Bens of today? "Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice" star Ben Affleck.
10. Benjamin —
It's an old name, but Benjamin was a new addition to the top 10 list in 2015. Among the buzziest Bens of today? "Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice" star Ben Affleck.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
The name Harper cracked the top 10 in 2015, perhaps inspired by "To Kill A Mockingbird" author Harper Lee. Another book by the author, "<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/14/living/go-set-watchman-harper-lee-react-feat/">Go Set A Watchman</a>," was published in 2015. Lee died in February.
10. Harper —
The name Harper cracked the top 10 in 2015, perhaps inspired by "To Kill A Mockingbird" author Harper Lee. Another book by the author, "Go Set A Watchman," was published in 2015. Lee died in February.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Top baby names of 2015

Story highlights

Noah and Emma are the most popular baby names for a second year in a row

Benjamin and Harper are new additions to the top 10 list

CNN  — 

Now you’re just showing off, Noah and Emma.

For the second year in a row, they are the most popular baby names in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration. 2015 is actually the third consecutive year at the top for Noah.

We said our farewells to other perennial favorites – Daniel for boys and Madison for girls – as two new baby names reached the Top 10: Benjamin for boys and Harper for girls. This is the first time either name has cracked the list of most popular names.

The lists for boys and girls haven’t changed much, with only a few shifts up and down. Perhaps Charlotte, a newcomer to the list last year, is a more popular name after the birth of British royal baby Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana in May 2015. James and Michael also swapped places, with the former growing in popularity.

The boy names are a mix of classics and nods to popular actors and pop culture. The name Liam has steadily been on the rise in the top 10 since 2012, when the first “Hunger Games” film, starring Liam Hemsworth, premiered.

The Social Security Administration is able to share the ranking because parents provide the names of children when they apply for Social Security cards. The agency started releasing its popular baby name list by gender in 1997 but has collected names dating back to 1880.

Beyond the top 10, less-traditional names are also on the rise. For girls, Alaia spiked from No. 2,676 in 2014 to No. 664 in 2015. Perhaps this can be traced to Alaia Baldwin, a model and the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin, or fashion designer Azzedine Alaia, the Social Security Administration noted.

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    Meilani, Adaline and Zelda are also growing in popularity. Meilani is the name of Jersey Shore star Jenni “JWoww” Farley’s daughter, born in 2014, as well as the middle name of “Soul Surfer” and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton. Adaline was Blake Lively’s character in the 2015 film “The Age of Adaline,” and Zelda could be attributed either to popular video game “The Legend of Zelda” or to continued fascination with writer Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

    For boys, the name Riaan jumped from No. 2,286 to No. 926. This name is connected with the son of popular Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh. Huxley, Omari and Jabari are also rising on the list of popular names. Omari Hardwick is an actor who has appeared on the shows “Power” and “Being Mary Jane,” while Jabari Parker plays basketball for the Milwaukee Bucks.

    As for Huxley, the agency is stumped, questioning whether “Brave New World” author Aldous Huxley is receiving renewed attention.

    Most popular names for girls in 2015:

    1. Emma

    2. Olivia

    3. Sophia

    4. Ava

    5. Isabella

    6. Mia

    7. Abigail

    8. Emily

    9. Charlotte

    10. Harper

    Most popular names for boys in 2015:

    1. Noah

    2. Liam

    3. Mason

    4. Jacob

    5. William

    6. Ethan

    7. James

    8. Alexander

    9. Michael

    10. Benjamin