Liam wins the game, sometimes
Jane Whelen Banks · 2009
Early Reader
Liam is in the title
Top 100 Baby Boy Names of 2026 (and the Books That Star Them)
By NamesInBooks Editors ·
The 100 most popular boy names from the latest official data, with where they come from, how they moved and real books starring each name.
Choosing a boy's name is a big decision, and a book with his name on the cover makes it even more special. Below are the 100 most popular boy names in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration's 2025 data, the newest official rankings, released in May 2026. Official rankings for 2026 births won't exist until 2027, so this is the best guide to the most popular names for babies born in 2026, based on the latest data.
For every name we show how many books in our catalog star a character with that name, and for the top 20 we add where the name comes from. Looking for the other list? See our top 100 baby girl names of 2026, or read about the baby name trends parents love in 2026. You can also browse the most popular names on NamesInBooks or every name in our A to Z name index.
The top 100 baby boy names for 2026
The table lists each name's 2025 rank, how it moved since 2024 and the number of books in our catalog starring a character with that name. Liam held the top spot, with 20,818 baby boys given the name in 2025.
| Rank | Name | Change since 2024 | Books starring the name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liam | No change | 51 |
| 2 | Noah | No change | 70 |
| 3 | Oliver | No change | 125 |
| 4 | Theodore | No change | 22 |
| 5 | Henry | Up 1 | 521 |
| 6 | James | Down 1 | 178 |
| 7 | Elijah | Up 1 | 16 |
| 8 | Mateo | Down 1 | 7 |
| 9 | William | Up 1 | 106 |
| 10 | Lucas | Down 1 | 46 |
| 11 | Benjamin | No change | 62 |
| 12 | Levi | No change | 18 |
| 13 | Elias | Up 12 | 12 |
| 14 | Luca | Up 9 | 5 |
| 15 | Jack | No change | 520 |
| 16 | Sebastian | Down 2 | 56 |
| 17 | Hudson | Up 5 | 6 |
| 18 | Samuel | Down 1 | 27 |
| 19 | Leo | Up 5 | 79 |
| 20 | Ezra | Down 7 | 27 |
| 21 | Michael | Down 3 | 147 |
| 22 | Daniel | Down 6 | 108 |
| 23 | John | Down 2 | 238 |
| 24 | Ethan | Down 5 | 53 |
| 25 | Julian | Up 5 | 84 |
| 26 | Santiago | Up 3 | 4 |
| 27 | Cooper | Up 23 | 27 |
| 28 | Asher | Down 8 | 6 |
| 29 | Joseph | Up 3 | 37 |
| 30 | Alexander | Down 3 | 50 |
| 31 | Owen | Down 5 | 45 |
| 32 | Matthew | Up 1 | 54 |
| 33 | Luke | Up 1 | 152 |
| 34 | Thomas | Up 5 | 149 |
| 35 | David | Down 4 | 186 |
| 36 | Jackson | Down 1 | 34 |
| 37 | Gabriel | Up 6 | 29 |
| 38 | Wyatt | No change | 9 |
| 39 | Mason | Up 3 | 22 |
| 40 | Bennett | Up 20 | 5 |
| 41 | Dylan | Down 13 | 61 |
| 42 | Roman | Up 10 | 4 |
| 43 | Jacob | Down 3 | 58 |
| 44 | Miles | Down 7 | 39 |
| 45 | Carter | Up 1 | 25 |
| 46 | Anthony | Down 2 | 53 |
| 47 | Isaac | Down 6 | 18 |
| 48 | Charles | Up 3 | 45 |
| 49 | Maverick | Down 13 | 2 |
| 50 | Thiago | Up 5 | 0 |
| 51 | Grayson | Down 3 | 7 |
| 52 | Wesley | Up 6 | 12 |
| 53 | Logan | Down 8 | 53 |
| 54 | Josiah | Down 1 | 0 |
| 55 | Weston | Up 15 | 1 |
| 56 | Waylon | Up 9 | 0 |
| 57 | Isaiah | Down 1 | 4 |
| 58 | Caleb | Down 9 | 26 |
| 59 | Rowan | Up 12 | 33 |
| 60 | Beau | Up 9 | 14 |
| 61 | Ezekiel | Down 7 | 3 |
| 62 | Aiden | Down 15 | 20 |
| 63 | Nathan | Down 1 | 38 |
| 64 | Brooks | Up 3 | 2 |
| 65 | Nolan | Down 1 | 7 |
| 66 | Joshua | Down 9 | 36 |
| 67 | Angel | Down 4 | 53 |
| 68 | Christopher | Down 7 | 101 |
| 69 | Lincoln | Up 4 | 7 |
| 70 | Jayden | Down 11 | 3 |
| 71 | Silas | Up 10 | 11 |
| 72 | Enzo | Up 2 | 5 |
| 73 | Andrew | Down 5 | 70 |
| 74 | Adrian | Down 2 | 18 |
| 75 | Atlas | New to top 100 | 1 |
| 76 | Cameron | Down 10 | 17 |
| 77 | Everett | Up 8 | 11 |
| 78 | Walker | Up 4 | 9 |
| 79 | Axel | Down 1 | 8 |
| 80 | Aaron | Down 1 | 41 |
| 81 | August | Up 7 | 7 |
| 82 | Theo | Down 2 | 31 |
| 83 | Ian | Down 8 | 33 |
| 84 | Adriel | New to top 100 | 0 |
| 85 | Luka | Up 9 | 3 |
| 86 | Gael | Up 3 | 1 |
| 87 | Arthur | New to top 100 | 287 |
| 88 | Jeremiah | Up 5 | 15 |
| 89 | Jonathan | Down 6 | 65 |
| 90 | Micah | Down 4 | 12 |
| 91 | Leonardo | Down 7 | 16 |
| 92 | Robert | Down 2 | 58 |
| 93 | Kai | Down 17 | 33 |
| 94 | Emiliano | New to top 100 | 1 |
| 95 | Jose | Down 4 | 10 |
| 96 | Christian | Down 19 | 13 |
| 97 | Eithan | New to top 100 | 0 |
| 98 | Archer | New to top 100 | 5 |
| 99 | Ryan | Down 12 | 51 |
| 100 | Myles | Down 1 | 9 |
Source: Social Security Administration, popular baby names, 2025 data. Book counts are from the NamesInBooks catalog.
Top 20 boy names for 2026: origins and books
These are the names you'll hear most on the playground in the next few years. For each one we note its origin from Behind the Name, how it moved in the rankings, and a few of the best books starring a boy with that name.
1. Liam
Liam held the same spot as in 2024, with 20,818 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in Irish, English and French (Modern), according to Behind the Name. We have 51 books starring a character named Liam. Browse picture books starring Liam or middle-grade books starring Liam.
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Lovable Liam
Jane Whelen Banks · 2009
Picture Book (3-6)
Liam is in the title
2. Noah
Noah held the same spot as in 2024, with 20,358 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, German and Danish, according to Behind the Name. We have 70 books starring a character named Noah. Browse picture books starring Noah or middle-grade books starring Noah.
Noah's bark
Stephen Krensky · 2008
Picture Book (3-6)
Noah is in the title
Please don't squeeze your Boa, Noah
Marilyn Singer · 1995
Picture Book (3-6)
Noah is in the title
3. Oliver
Oliver held the same spot as in 2024, with 14,939 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, German and Swedish, according to Behind the Name. We have 125 books starring a character named Oliver. Browse picture books starring Oliver or early readers starring Oliver.
More tales of Oliver Pig
Jean Van Leeuwen · 1981
Early Reader
Oliver is in the title
Oliver Finds His Way
Phyllis Root · 2002
Picture Book (3-6)
Oliver is in the title
4. Theodore
Theodore held the same spot as in 2024, with 13,355 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, according to Behind the Name. We have 22 books starring a character named Theodore. Browse picture books starring Theodore or middle-grade books starring Theodore.
Theodore Boone, the accused
John Grisham · 2012
Middle Grade
Theodore is in the title
Theodore Boone, The Accomplice
John Grisham · 2019
Middle Grade
Theodore is in the title
5. Henry
Henry moved up 1 places from #6 in 2024, with 12,020 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, according to Behind the Name. We have 521 books starring a character named Henry. Browse picture books starring Henry or early readers starring Henry.
Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea
Cynthia Rylant · 1989
Early Reader
Henry is in the title
Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat
Cynthia Rylant · 1990
Early Reader
Henry is in the title
6. James
James moved down 1 places from #5 in 2024, with 11,945 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, Biblical and Dutch (Modern), according to Behind the Name. We have 178 books starring a character named James. Browse picture books starring James or early readers starring James.
James Changes Colour
Betty Root · 2002
Early Reader
James is in the title
7. Elijah
Elijah moved up 1 places from #8 in 2024, with 11,111 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, Hebrew and Biblical, according to Behind the Name. We have 16 books starring a character named Elijah. Browse picture books starring Elijah or middle-grade books starring Elijah.
Elijah the Slave
Isaac Bashevis Singer · 1970
Picture Book (3-6)
Elijah is in the title
Elijah of Buxton
Christopher Paul Curtis · 2007
Middle Grade
Elijah is in the title
8. Mateo
Mateo moved down 1 places from #7 in 2024, with 11,045 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in Spanish and Croatian, according to Behind the Name. We have 7 books starring a character named Mateo.
Midnight War of Mateo Martinez
Robin Yardi · 2016
Middle Grade
Mateo is in the title
Steadfast
Claudia Gray · 2014
Young Adult
Mateo is a main character
9. William
William moved up 1 places from #10 in 2024, with 10,545 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, according to Behind the Name. We have 106 books starring a character named William. Browse picture books starring William or early readers starring William.
William's Happy Days
Richmal Crompton, Thomas Henry,Steven, Steven Lenton · 1930
Middle Grade
William is in the title
We want William!
Rose Impey · 2003
Picture Book (3-6)
William is in the title
10. Lucas
Lucas moved down 1 places from #9 in 2024, with 10,219 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, Dutch and French, according to Behind the Name. We have 46 books starring a character named Lucas. Browse picture books starring Lucas or middle-grade books starring Lucas.
Lucas the Spy Cat
Samantha Shannon, Lei Yang · 2022
Picture Book (3-6)
Lucas is in the title
11. Benjamin
Benjamin held the same spot as in 2024, with 9,762 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, French and German, according to Behind the Name. We have 62 books starring a character named Benjamin. Browse picture books starring Benjamin or early readers starring Benjamin.
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, a Coloring Book
Beatrix Potter · 1980
Picture Book (3-6)
Benjamin is in the title
Benjamin Rabbit and the stranger danger
Irene Keller · 1985
Picture Book (3-6)
Benjamin is in the title
12. Levi
Levi held the same spot as in 2024, with 9,642 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in Hebrew, English and Dutch, according to Behind the Name. We have 18 books starring a character named Levi. Browse picture books starring Levi or middle-grade books starring Levi.
Levi's Family
Elliot Riley, Srimalie Bassani · 2017
Picture Book (3-6)
Levi is in the title
Levi Strauss gets a bright idea
Tony Johnston · 2011
Picture Book (3-6)
Levi is in the title
13. Elias
Elias moved up 12 places from #25 in 2024, with 8,837 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in Portuguese, German and Swedish, according to Behind the Name. We have 12 books starring a character named Elias. Browse middle-grade books starring Elias.
A reaper at the gates
Sabaa Tahir · 2018
Young Adult
Elias is a main character
A torch against the night
Sabaa Tahir · 2016
Young Adult
Elias is a main character
14. Luca
Luca moved up 9 places from #23 in 2024, with 8,759 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in Italian, Romanian and German (Modern), according to Behind the Name. We have 5 books starring a character named Luca.
Stormbringers
Philippa Gregory · 2013
Middle Grade
Luca is a main character
Aquifer
Jonathan Friesen · 2013
Young Adult
Luca is a main character
15. Jack
Jack held the same spot as in 2024, with 8,748 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, according to Behind the Name. We have 520 books starring a character named Jack. Browse picture books starring Jack or early readers starring Jack.
Jack and the Flumflum Tree
Julia Donaldson · 2011
Picture Book (3-6)
Jack is in the title
Jack Holborn
Leon Garfield · 1964
Middle Grade
Jack is in the title
16. Sebastian
Sebastian moved down 2 places from #14 in 2024, with 8,605 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in German, English and Swedish, according to Behind the Name. We have 56 books starring a character named Sebastian. Browse picture books starring Sebastian or early readers starring Sebastian.
Sebastian lives in a hat
Thelma Catterwell · 1985
Picture Book (3-6)
Sebastian is in the title
Sebastian and the balloon
Philip C. Stead · 2014
Picture Book (3-6)
Sebastian is in the title
17. Hudson
Hudson moved up 5 places from #22 in 2024, with 8,583 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, according to Behind the Name. We have 6 books starring a character named Hudson. Browse picture books starring Hudson.
Hudson and the puppy
Jackie Clark Mancuso · 2018
Picture Book (3-6)
Hudson is in the title
Hudson and the Bush Beast
Sherri C. Southers, Robert W. Spruce · 2021
Picture Book (3-6)
Hudson is in the title
18. Samuel
Samuel moved down 1 places from #17 in 2024, with 8,334 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, French and German, according to Behind the Name. We have 27 books starring a character named Samuel. Browse picture books starring Samuel or middle-grade books starring Samuel.
The revenge of Samuel Stokes
Penelope Lively · 1981
Middle Grade
Samuel is in the title
Silly Sadie, Silly Samuel
Ann Whitford Paul · 1998
Picture Book (3-6)
Samuel is in the title
19. Leo
Leo moved up 5 places from #24 in 2024, with 8,173 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in German, Dutch and Swedish, according to Behind the Name. We have 79 books starring a character named Leo. Browse picture books starring Leo or early readers starring Leo.
Leo meets the queen
Jan Burchett, Sara Vogler · 2010
Early Reader
Leo is in the title
Leo and Emily's big ideas
Franz Brandenberg · 1994
Early Reader
Leo is in the title
20. Ezra
Ezra moved down 7 places from #13 in 2024, with 8,126 boys born in 2025 given the name. It's used in English, Hebrew and Biblical, according to Behind the Name. We have 27 books starring a character named Ezra. Browse picture books starring Ezra or early readers starring Ezra.
Bringing Ezra back
Cynthia C. DeFelice · 2006
Middle Grade
Ezra is in the title
Ezra's Gamble
Ryder Windham · 2014
Middle Grade
Ezra is in the title
Fastest-rising boy names
These names climbed the most places within the top 100 between 2024 and 2025, based on the SSA's rankings.
- Cooper: #50 to #27 (up 23)
- Bennett: #60 to #40 (up 20)
- Weston: #70 to #55 (up 15)
- Elias: #25 to #13 (up 12)
- Rowan: #71 to #59 (up 12)
- Roman: #52 to #42 (up 10)
- Silas: #81 to #71 (up 10)
- Luca: #23 to #14 (up 9)
- Waylon: #65 to #56 (up 9)
- Beau: #69 to #60 (up 9)
And these names joined the top 100 in 2025: Atlas (#75), Adriel (#84), Arthur (#87), Emiliano (#94), Eithan (#97), Archer (#98).
Classic boy names holding strong
Not every favorite is new. Plenty of traditional names stay in the top 100 year after year, and because they've been around so long, they also have some of the deepest bookshelves, from board books to chapter books. For more old favorites coming back, see our guide to vintage baby names with storybook charm.
- Henry: #5 in 2025, with 521 books in our catalog
- James: #6 in 2025, with 178 books in our catalog
- William: #9 in 2025, with 106 books in our catalog
- Benjamin: #11 in 2025, with 62 books in our catalog
- Jack: #15 in 2025, with 520 books in our catalog
- Samuel: #18 in 2025, with 27 books in our catalog
- Daniel: #22 in 2025, with 108 books in our catalog
- John: #23 in 2025, with 238 books in our catalog
- Joseph: #29 in 2025, with 37 books in our catalog
- Thomas: #34 in 2025, with 149 books in our catalog
- David: #35 in 2025, with 186 books in our catalog
- Charles: #48 in 2025, with 45 books in our catalog
Top boy names in the UK and Ireland
In England and Wales, the Office for National Statistics reported Muhammad, Noah and Leo as the top three boy names for 2025. In Scotland, Noah held the top spot for boys, according to National Records of Scotland.
In Ireland, the Central Statistics Office named Rían the most popular boy name of 2025, the first time it has reached number one. Jack slipped to second after years at the top, followed by Noah, James and Oisín.
Boy names with the most books
This is the list you won't find anywhere else. Of the top 100 boy names, these have the most books starring a character with that name in our catalog. If you love a name and love reading together, start here.
| Name | 2025 rank | Books starring the name |
|---|---|---|
| Henry | 5 | 521 |
| Jack | 15 | 520 |
| Arthur | 87 | 287 |
| John | 23 | 238 |
| David | 35 | 186 |
| James | 6 | 178 |
| Luke | 33 | 152 |
| Thomas | 34 | 149 |
| Michael | 21 | 147 |
| Oliver | 3 | 125 |
| Daniel | 22 | 108 |
| William | 9 | 106 |
How to find a book starring your son's name
Every name in the table links to its own page, where you can filter books by age group and genre. If your favorite name isn't listed here, search for any first name and we'll show you every book we've found. Want something rarer? Try our list of unique baby names straight from children's books. Know a book we're missing? Suggest it and we'll add it to the catalog.
Find books starring your child's name
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular boy name in 2026?
Official 2026 rankings won't be released until 2027. The latest data is the Social Security Administration's 2025 list, where Liam is the #1 boy name, followed by Noah and Oliver.
What boy names are trending for 2026?
Based on the SSA's 2025 data, the fastest climbers in the top 100 include Cooper, Bennett, Weston, Elias and Rowan.
What are the top 10 boy names?
According to the SSA's 2025 data, the top 10 boy names are Liam, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, Henry, James, Elijah, Mateo, William, Lucas.
What are unique baby boy names for 2026?
Names rising fast but still outside the top 50, like Weston, Rowan, Silas and Waylon, feel fresh without being unheard of.
Which boy names have the most books?
Of the top 100 boy names, Henry, Jack and Arthur have the most books starring a character with that name in the NamesInBooks catalog.
Are there books with my son's name?
Very likely. 95 of the top 100 boy names have at least one book starring a character with that name in our catalog. Search any name on NamesInBooks to see them.
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