Most Popular Baby Names in 2002

In this article we'll look at what the most popular baby names were for the year 2002. These names are taken directly from the Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States.

The table below shows the top 250 most popular baby names in 2002, with a total count for the number of births registered with that given name.

You can also use the links below to research more about the most popular baby names.

Top 1000 most popular boy names: 1-250 | 251-500 | 501-750 | 751-1000

Top 1000 most popular girl names: 1-250 | 251-500 | 501-750 | 751-1000

Boys Girls
Rank Name Count Name Count
1 Jacob 30,579 Emily 24,467
2 Michael 28,252 Madison 21,773
3 Joshua 25,997 Hannah 18,823
4 Matthew 25,154 Emma 16,546
5 Ethan 22,112 Alexis 15,636
6 Andrew 22,023 Ashley 15,343
7 Joseph 21,900 Abigail 15,300
8 Christopher 21,686 Sarah 14,764
9 Nicholas 21,390 Samantha 14,669
10 Daniel 21,320 Olivia 14,630
11 William 20,125 Elizabeth 14,610
12 Anthony 19,590 Alyssa 12,846
13 David 18,686 Lauren 12,325
14 Tyler 18,266 Isabella 12,170
15 Alexander 17,716 Grace 12,056
16 Ryan 17,659 Jessica 11,920
17 John 17,460 Brianna 11,520
18 James 16,965 Taylor 11,467
19 Zachary 16,622 Kayla 11,310
20 Brandon 16,280 Anna 10,388
21 Jonathan 15,511 Victoria 9,784
22 Justin 14,904 Megan 9,210
23 Dylan 14,820 Sydney 9,034
24 Christian 14,597 Rachel 8,935
25 Samuel 14,567 Chloe 8,902
26 Austin 14,541 Jasmine 8,867
27 Benjamin 13,487 Sophia 8,665
28 Nathan 13,224 Jennifer 8,539
29 Logan 12,973 Morgan 8,433
30 Jose 12,863 Natalie 8,352
31 Noah 12,069 Hailey 7,992
32 Gabriel 12,056 Kaitlyn 7,981
33 Kevin 12,043 Julia 7,963
34 Robert 12,029 Destiny 7,805
35 Caleb 11,662 Haley 7,457
36 Thomas 11,293 Katherine 7,213
37 Jordan 11,152 Nicole 6,973
38 Hunter 11,085 Alexandra 6,936
39 Cameron 10,337 Savannah 6,581
40 Kyle 10,063 Maria 6,385
41 Elijah 10,052 Stephanie 6,269
42 Jason 9,955 Mackenzie 6,268
43 Aaron 9,005 Mia 6,259
44 Jack 8,998 Allison 6,240
45 Isaiah 8,964 Jordan 6,152
46 Luke 8,692 Amanda 6,137
47 Connor 8,409 Jenna 5,664
48 Isaac 8,309 Faith 5,525
49 Angel 8,188 Makayla 5,476
50 Jackson 8,153 Mary 5,471
51 Brian 8,082 Paige 5,468
52 Eric 7,927 Brooke 5,339
53 Mason 7,877 Katelyn 5,266
54 Juan 7,820 Rebecca 5,215
55 Adam 7,751 Andrea 5,117
56 Evan 7,384 Madeline 5,114
57 Luis 7,376 Kaylee 4,983
58 Charles 7,208 Michelle 4,949
59 Sean 7,029 Sara 4,940
60 Aidan 6,952 Zoe 4,886
61 Gavin 6,951 Kylie 4,832
62 Nathaniel 6,812 Sierra 4,807
63 Alex 6,806 Kimberly 4,790
64 Bryan 6,615 Aaliyah 4,778
65 Carlos 6,587 Amber 4,723
66 Jesus 6,368 Gabrielle 4,669
67 Ian 6,361 Caroline 4,657
68 Steven 6,220 Vanessa 4,453
69 Cole 6,037 Alexa 4,401
70 Timothy 6,020 Trinity 4,385
71 Cody 5,938 Danielle 4,205
72 Seth 5,739 Erin 4,143
73 Adrian 5,684 Autumn 4,103
74 Devin 5,440 Angelina 3,981
75 Lucas 5,381 Shelby 3,961
76 Blake 5,359 Gabriella 3,911
77 Richard 5,322 Riley 3,906
78 Julian 5,223 Jada 3,898
79 Patrick 5,152 Lily 3,834
80 Sebastian 5,136 Melissa 3,768
81 Trevor 5,060 Jacqueline 3,753
82 Chase 4,858 Ava 3,751
83 Dominic 4,855 Angela 3,714
84 Jared 4,835 Bailey 3,662
85 Antonio 4,728 Isabel 3,650
86 Jeremiah 4,718 Jade 3,630
87 Jaden 4,649 Leah 3,603
88 Xavier 4,647 Courtney 3,580
89 Miguel 4,643 Ella 3,562
90 Jesse 4,431 Maya 3,544
91 Garrett 4,357 Jocelyn 3,522
92 Alejandro 4,356 Leslie 3,522
93 Mark 4,222 Ariana 3,491
94 Owen 4,190 Melanie 3,484
95 Jeremy 4,165 Claire 3,405
96 Hayden 4,142 Lillian 3,396
97 Bryce 4,068 Christina 3,389
98 Diego 3,977 Evelyn 3,372
99 Riley 3,959 Marissa 3,317
100 Victor 3,933 Audrey 3,306
101 Jayden 3,853 Catherine 3,292
102 Jake 3,791 Briana 3,263
103 Tristan 3,725 Katie 3,231
104 Kenneth 3,665 Breanna 3,198
105 Carson 3,600 Laura 3,151
106 Marcus 3,543 Alexandria 3,148
107 Dakota 3,486 Molly 3,119
108 Carter 3,480 Kathryn 3,105
109 Jorge 3,457 Angel 3,100
110 Spencer 3,448 Amy 3,095
111 Kaleb 3,446 Isabelle 3,063
112 Tanner 3,446 Sofia 3,059
113 Liam 3,381 Daniela 3,026
114 Stephen 3,349 Arianna 2,964
115 Henry 3,333 Ashanti 2,945
116 Colin 3,315 Gabriela 2,915
117 Dalton 3,282 Diana 2,905
118 Paul 3,262 Kelsey 2,883
119 Edward 3,243 Kelly 2,852
120 Oscar 3,233 Madelyn 2,852
121 Wyatt 3,232 Alicia 2,820
122 Joel 3,189 Lindsey 2,815
123 Vincent 3,185 Caitlin 2,742
124 Brendan 3,141 Mikayla 2,738
125 Colby 3,118 Jillian 2,734
126 Parker 3,098 Cassandra 2,732
127 Grant 3,077 Cheyenne 2,711
128 Colton 3,047 Alexia 2,691
129 Maxwell 3,036 Margaret 2,678
130 Shane 3,031 Mariah 2,671
131 George 3,017 Cassidy 2,634
132 Jeffrey 2,999 Avery 2,589
133 Eduardo 2,957 Lizbeth 2,569
134 Peter 2,869 Ana 2,535
135 Aiden 2,833 Sabrina 2,533
136 Ivan 2,814 Kennedy 2,513
137 Nicolas 2,810 Lydia 2,505
138 Brayden 2,809 Daisy 2,456
139 Derek 2,786 Amelia 2,443
140 Gage 2,746 Tiffany 2,398
141 Francisco 2,742 Skylar 2,391
142 Landon 2,723 Adriana 2,383
143 Ricardo 2,708 Mckenzie 2,341
144 Travis 2,702 Erica 2,305
145 Jalen 2,686 Mya 2,281
146 Cristian 2,685 Angelica 2,273
147 Brady 2,659 Miranda 2,272
148 Collin 2,656 Caitlyn 2,266
149 Bradley 2,644 Sophie 2,245
150 Alan 2,624 Karen 2,223
151 Omar 2,622 Summer 2,213
152 Shawn 2,617 Brooklyn 2,210
153 Caden 2,601 Gracie 2,155
154 Josiah 2,570 Crystal 2,143
155 Preston 2,515 Valerie 2,106
156 Erik 2,460 Kiara 2,103
157 Andres 2,439 Jordyn 2,098
158 Javier 2,435 Ashlyn 2,077
159 Fernando 2,423 Heather 2,066
160 Devon 2,395 Hope 2,053
161 Alexis 2,379 Kylee 2,009
162 Cesar 2,369 Alondra 1,996
163 Damian 2,345 Gianna 1,985
164 Manuel 2,326 Jamie 1,969
165 Levi 2,323 Abby 1,961
166 Max 2,319 Naomi 1,960
167 Jonah 2,312 Erika 1,959
168 Braden 2,291 Karina 1,959
169 Gregory 2,278 Bianca 1,954
170 Mario 2,265 Brittany 1,936
171 Johnathan 2,264 Juliana 1,926
172 Nolan 2,232 Veronica 1,910
173 Micah 2,224 Natalia 1,882
174 Kaden 2,220 Meghan 1,862
175 Edgar 2,195 Karla 1,840
176 Raymond 2,179 Cynthia 1,832
177 Mitchell 2,172 Mckenna 1,795
178 Clayton 2,160 Bethany 1,792
179 Edwin 2,145 Chelsea 1,785
180 Trenton 2,119 Monica 1,778
181 Corey 2,105 Delaney 1,765
182 Erick 2,052 Jasmin 1,758
183 Wesley 2,051 Payton 1,758
184 Emmanuel 2,032 Shannon 1,757
185 Scott 2,028 Julianna 1,748
186 Marco 2,026 Kristen 1,715
187 Sergio 2,020 Kyla 1,705
188 Roberto 1,994 Peyton 1,702
189 Dustin 1,982 Nevaeh 1,699
190 Donovan 1,964 Maggie 1,697
191 Taylor 1,964 Alejandra 1,694
192 Martin 1,959 Hayley 1,670
193 Dawson 1,953 Kate 1,668
194 Hector 1,942 Hanna 1,652
195 Eli 1,935 Kendall 1,643
196 Cooper 1,931 Aubrey 1,641
197 Conner 1,927 Valeria 1,636
198 Brett 1,867 Makenzie 1,624
199 Harrison 1,866 Reagan 1,624
200 Ashton 1,853 Ellie 1,619
201 Dillon 1,847 Rylee 1,615
202 Giovanni 1,841 Michaela 1,614
203 Jakob 1,836 Aliyah 1,607
204 Abraham 1,798 Charlotte 1,604
205 Peyton 1,764 Esmeralda 1,598
206 Alec 1,748 Carly 1,590
207 Andy 1,723 Diamond 1,579
208 Cade 1,716 Ruby 1,579
209 Andre 1,698 Jazmin 1,574
210 Malachi 1,673 Jayla 1,571
211 Malik 1,659 Rebekah 1,570
212 Damien 1,652 Sadie 1,565
213 Trey 1,611 Brenda 1,550
214 Ty 1,609 Desiree 1,550
215 Jaylen 1,598 Ariel 1,548
216 Frank 1,587 Nadia 1,499
217 Drew 1,575 Giselle 1,478
218 Elias 1,575 Julie 1,469
219 Ruben 1,572 Kaitlin 1,456
220 Josue 1,566 Addison 1,455
221 Calvin 1,561 Macy 1,446
222 Skyler 1,558 Adrianna 1,445
223 Zane 1,558 Kara 1,402
224 Dominick 1,556 Claudia 1,396
225 Pedro 1,554 Alana 1,391
226 Phillip 1,553 Kyra 1,388
227 Ronald 1,522 Kendra 1,386
228 Griffin 1,472 Genesis 1,372
229 Bryson 1,471 Nancy 1,366
230 Leonardo 1,460 Jazmine 1,365
231 Trent 1,453 Holly 1,363
232 Rafael 1,452 Alison 1,360
233 Chance 1,450 Elena 1,358
234 Gerardo 1,442 Allyson 1,348
235 Johnny 1,438 Britney 1,345
236 Derrick 1,437 Savanna 1,345
237 Darius 1,422 Raven 1,338
238 Chandler 1,417 Elise 1,336
239 Miles 1,416 Joanna 1,335
240 Raul 1,407 Eva 1,333
241 Casey 1,399 Jaden 1,324
242 Simon 1,398 Makenna 1,323
243 Armando 1,393 Nina 1,320
244 Kobe 1,392 Serena 1,306
245 Avery 1,387 Guadalupe 1,296
246 Allen 1,381 Fatima 1,288
247 Marcos 1,327 Selena 1,288
248 Keith 1,325 Haylee 1,281
249 Enrique 1,301 Vivian 1,275
250 Troy 1,301 Katelynn 1,271

What's in a (Popular) Name?

How do we know which baby names are hot each year? It's simple! The Social Security Administration collects data as parents register their newborns for a Social Security card. So, instead of waiting for the 10-year census, we get an annual update on the trending names!

Popular Baby Names vs. Popular First Names: Any Differences?

If you're wondering why the most popular baby names and the most popular first names aren't the same, remember: first names include everyone, not just babies. With 16.5% of the population over 65, names popular in their generation, like 'Avery' or 'Fatima', still top the charts. As the birth rate declines, we won't see baby names like 'Jacob' or 'Emily' topping the overall popular names list until the Baby Boomer generation decreases significantly.

What Factors Influence Baby Name Popularity?

Ever wondered how a name like 'Matthew' or 'Sarah' hits the charts? It's not an exact science, but here are some cool factors:

Celebrity Influence

Americans adore their stars! A favorite celeb can influence baby names, so if you see more little 'Joshuas' or 'Madisons' running around, you might have a Hollywood A-lister to thank!

Character-Inspired Names

Bookworms and movie buffs often name their kids after beloved characters. If 'Ethan' or 'Abigail' sound familiar, check out the latest bestseller or box-office hit!

Following the Trend

We humans are trend-followers. So, if a friend's baby 'Andrew' or 'Samantha' has a cute ring to it, don't be surprised if it catches on!

The Power of Recall

Names heard repeatedly stick in our minds. So if 'Daniel' or 'Emma' are on repeat, you'll likely see them in the baby name charts.

Family Tradition

Some names like 'Joseph' or 'Lauren' stand the test of time, thanks to the tradition of naming babies after older relatives.

Religion and Politics

Religious texts and political figures inspire many parents. Evergreen choices like 'Christopher' or 'Ashley' show the lasting impact of religion and politics on baby names.

So, while we can't always predict why a name like 'Nicholas' or 'Jasmine' becomes popular, these factors give us some fun insights into the ever-changing landscape of baby names!

Historical Data for Baby Names

If you're interested to see how the trends and popularity of baby names have changed, you can use the links below to view the historical data by decade.

Most popular first names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010

Most popular boy names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010

Most popular girl names, 1880-present | since 1950 | since 1960 | since 1970 | since 1980 | since 1990 | since 2000 | since 2010

Data Source(s)

All of the data on this page is sourced from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and excludes any names with fewer than 5 occurrences in any geographic area.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spent a lot of time downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

  • "Most Popular Baby Names in 2002". NameCensus.com. Accessed on March 29, 2024. https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-2002/.

  • "Most Popular Baby Names in 2002". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-2002/. Accessed 29 March, 2024

  • Most Popular Baby Names in 2002. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from https://namecensus.com/baby-names/popular-baby-names-in-2002/.