Every generation has those remarkable, defining characteristics that set them apart. Millennials are the bridge generation, with analog childhoods and digital adulthoods. Generation Z was shaped by social media, technology, and cultural connectivity. Then there’s Generation Alpha: born between 2013 and 2024, the first true digital natives, and the most racially and ethnically diverse generation by far. With so many fascinating characteristics, one can’t help but wonder: what are the most popular Gen Alpha names?
Using data from the Social Security Administration, we’ve created a definitive list of the top Gen Alpha names, from Mia to Oliver. From that data, we also pulled out some notable baby naming trends because—just like Gen Alpha themselves—Gen Alpha baby names have been shaped by ongoing cultural shifts and trends.
Save this list to see what baby names will appear on your Gen Alpha kid’s class roster.
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Who is Gen Alpha?
Born between 2013 and 2024, Gen Alpha are the children of millennials and the younger siblings of Gen Z. They’re digital natives who have engaged with and shaped the social media landscape since they were remarkably young. In fact, they’re the first generation to have screens in abundance from the time they were in diapers. So it’s no wonder Gen Alpha’s top career choice is to be a YouTuber or TikTok influencer, according to a recent study of 12- to 15-year-olds.
It’s projected that their generation will surpass two billion people worldwide, making them one of the largest demographic groups in history. They’re also projected to be the most racially and ethnically diverse generation ever, reflecting changing birth rates and global urbanization.
Like all generations, Gen Alpha has been shaped by their experiences. For them, that means experiencing the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic during their critical early childhood and school years—and navigating continued disruptions since. Still, they remain the most technologically savvy, inclusive, and adaptable generation yet.
Top 20 Gen Alpha Girl Names
Pulled directly from the Social Security Administration’s baby name data, these are the baby girl names that made the top 20 for Gen Alpha, from Sofia to Scarlett. While some of these are enduring favorites, you may find some surprises on this list.
Olivia
Classic and widely loved, Olivia holds the number one spot for Gen Alpha girl names, with 215,162 births between 2013 and 2024. With Latin and Roman roots, the name translates to “olive tree” and “peace.”
Emma
Another enduring classic. Emma beautifully sums up just how much a baby means to their family, with translations like “whole,” “entire,” and “great.” What is a baby if not your entire world?
Sophia
The girl’s name most likely to be heard on a playground full of Gen Alpha kids when you combine the number of births for baby girls named Sophia and Sofia; the name comes out on top. The more popular spelling, Sophia, is a Greek baby name with meanings like “wisdom” and “knowledge.” Its common nature among Gen Alpha is fitting, considering this generation is so open-minded and adaptable.
Isabella
With Hebrew roots, Isabella’s enduring popularity amongst Gen Alpha may be related to its many possible nicknames: Izzy, Is, Isa. Short names, after all, are one of the baby name trends for Gen Alpha.
Ava
Short and sweet, 164,986 baby girls were named Ava between 2013 and 2024. With Latin, Hebrew, and Persian roots, it’s a name with a varied history and fascinating meanings like “bird-like” and “voice.”
Mia
Three-letter names for the win! Mia holds the number six spot and has charming translations like “rebelliousness” and “wished-for child.” If you know any spunky, sassy Gen Alpha kids with this name, you know why.
Charlotte
Charlotte may just be the most classic girl’s name on this list, so it’s no surprise it still made it into the top 20 for Gen Alpha girls. With translations like “free man” and beloved figures like Charlotte Brontë and Princess Charlotte (daughter of Prince William and Princess Kate), any girl would be lucky to have this title.
Amelia
Amelia almost nudged Charlotte out of the number seven spot with 138,172 births. If you see this one a lot amongst your child’s friends or classmates, it may be because of its German roots and translations to “industrious” and “hard-working.”
Evelyn
Vintage flair is another trend among Gen Alpha names, and for a title like Evelyn, we can see the appeal, especially with cute nickname potential like Evie/Evy. Of British origin, this sweet name translates to “strength,” “radiance,” and “beauty.” What could be more fitting for a new baby girl?
Harper
With 111,401 births, we love the modern “cool girl” vibe Harper offers for Gen Alpha girls. If you know any budding musicians with this title, it couldn’t be any more perfect: Harper translates to “harpist.”
Abigail
You may know a particular Abigail who goes by Abby or Ab—they’re great modern alternatives to this classic Hebrew girl’s name. Plus, when raising a baby in faith, this is the perfect title, honoring King David’s intelligent and brave third wife.
Emily
From Emily Brontë to Emily Blunt, this is one of those girl names that never goes out of style. Even for Gen Alpha, Emily has amassed 107,593 births. It’s just too sweet.
Elizabeth
Another enduring girl name that starts with an “e” and has plenty of nickname potential. Elizabeth has British and Greek roots and translates to “My God is my oath.” Even if she goes by Lizzie or Eliza, you’re bound to see this one amongst your child’s Gen Alpha peers.
Sofia
Another variation of a baby name we’ve already seen on this list, Sofia is the less common Greek spelling and still translates to “wisdom.” Gen Alpha is a generation with a lot of international flair in their baby names, so it’s no surprise we’ve seen this one climb the ranks—it’s especially fashionable in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Avery
Gen Alpha also loves a classic gender-neutral name, and Avery checks all the boxes. With 91,929 births, its striking sound and whimsical translations of “elf counsel” and “ruler of elves” have made it a popular choice for millennial parents.
Ella
Another whimsical name fit for a princess, Ella is short, sweet, and super popular amongst Gen Alpha, with 89,320 births. Even if not given as a first name, Ella is also a charming nickname for longer, more romantic names like Gabriella and Isabella.
Madison
Originally a surname-turned-first-name, Madison has a strong feminine quality parents love. It’s connected to countless places—from Madison, Wisconsin, to Madison, Alabama—and people—the fourth U.S. president, James Madison.
Chloe
With 84,257 births, Chloe still managed to snag a spot in the top 20 Gen Alpha baby names. Of course, it’s no surprise considering its charming, nature-inspired translations like “blooming” and “verdant.”
Camila
Another international name that Gen Alpha parents love! Camila has Portuguese roots and means “religious attendant” or “priest’s helper.” For a baby raised in faith, Camila is a no-brainer.
Scarlett
Rounding out the top 20 with 80,601 births, Scarlett is strong, sharp, and rooted in British English. If you know any Gen Alpha fashionistas with this name, make sure to let them know that Scarlett actually means “clothes seller” or “clothes maker.”
Top 20 Gen Alpha Boy Names
The most popular boy names for Gen Alpha range all the way from classic and biblical to modern and spunky. Keep reading to see what boy names you’ll find on your Gen Alpha kid’s class roster.
Liam
Liam is holding strong as the number one baby boy name—it even got the title for 2025, too! With Irish roots and translations like “willing to protect,” it’s no surprise why parents of Gen Alphers love this one so much.
Noah
With 228,295 births between 2013 and 2024, Liam and Noah were neck-and-neck, but Noah grabbed the number two spot. This Hebrew name means both “rest” and “motion,” representing a kind of balance that Millennial parents love.
William
Of German origin, William means “strong-willed protector” and grabbed the number three spot with 166,152 births—leaving a large gap behind Noah and Liam. William has travelled across borders and centuries, and is appealing for its nickname potential: anybody know a Will or Billy?
James
With Hebrew roots, James translates to “supplanter” and has that simple and sophisticated one-syllable sound parents have loved for generations. In fact, James ranks similarly in popularity today as it did 100 years ago.
Oliver
Rooted in French, Oliver sounds straight out of a storybook—and it really is! Stories like Oliver Twist have definitely inspired parents to name their little boy Oliver. For Gen Alpha, there have been 156,510 baby boys born named Oliver.
Elijah
Parents of Gen Alpha kids seem to especially love names with classic roots, yet lots of modern nickname potential, and Elijah checks all the boxes. With Hebrew roots, a little boy with this title could be called Eli, Elio, or even EJ.
Benjamin
With 151,313 births, Benjamin is another classic boy name that made its way into the top 20. Like so many on this list, it has Hebrew roots and translates to “son of the right hand.”
Mason
Mason is sweet yet strong, translating to “stoneworker” and rooted in English and French. For Gen Alpha, there have been just over 145,000 births with this name—though it was popular long before that.
Lucas
Lucas reached peak popularity in 2018. It’s an adorable name for a baby, yet it can also grow with your kiddo. As for translations, there’s no one more fitting for a baby than Lucas’s: “Bringer of light.”
Jacob
Derived from Ya’akov, Jacob is a biblical boy’s name that—despite its long and storied history—still proved very popular with Gen Alpha, at about 140,000 births.
Ethan
Every parent wants their child to be strong—able to hold themselves up, no matter what they’re facing—and Ethan encapsulates that strength beautifully. Of Hebrew origin, the name’s direct translations are “solid” and “firm.” Even though Ethan has been around for centuries, it still has 139,434 births for Gen Alpha, nearly knocking Jacob from its spot.
Michael
Michael was the most popular boys’ name from the 1950s-1990s. And the name is still a top choice for parents of Gen Alphas. Those who want to raise their little boys in faith may have chosen Michael for its biblical, Hebrew roots and strong, fitting translation: “Who is like God?” Or they may be honoring a family member with the same name.
Alexander
Of Greek origin, Alexander belongs to over 138,000 Gen Alpha baby boys. It means “defender of men,” which is a perfect translation considering how many strong historical figures have this name: Alexander Hamilton and Alexander the Great, to name a couple.
Daniel
With just over 133,000 births, Daniel is another enduring favorite for parents of boys. It means “God is my judge,” and also sports notable biblical roots.
Henry
Translating to “home ruler,” Henry is perfect for a little king who rules his household. It’s no surprise parents of Gen Alphas love this name—it’s been popular for centuries and has strong German roots.
Logan
Another trend amongst Gen Alpha kids? A love for gender-neutral picks, and even though Logan is more commonly used for boys, the name still falls within the top 400 most popular girl names for Gen Alpha. We also predict pop culture could push this name up the list for Gen Beta babies thanks to the considerate hockey player John Logan in the show Off Campus.
Aiden
Along with Jayden, Aiden actually fell a bit compared to its popularity with older Gen Z siblings (parents of Gen Z loved -den names). But Aiden still made it into the top 20 most popular Gen Alpha boy names! With Irish roots, its charming translation of “little fiery one” no doubt made it a no-brainer for parents who wanted to capture their little boy’s spunk.
Jackson
It’s likely Gen Alpha parents love Jackson for the modern, playful spin it offers to the more classic Jack. With British roots, it actually translates directly to “son of Jack.”
Matthew
Biblical and full of strength, Matthew has an impressive 119,825 births for Gen Alpha. Direct translations include “Gift of God,” which is a fitting meaning for any baby, regardless of their generation.
David
Rounding out the list with one final biblical name! David has Hebrew roots and means “beloved.” With just over 115,000 births for Gen Alpha, it’s proved to be a timeless favorite amongst millennial parents.
Gen Alpha Baby Naming Trends
The top Gen Alpha names reveal a lot of surprising trends, from a rise in vintage names to a preference for international names. Keep reading for the top baby naming trends to keep an eye out for in your Gen Alpha kid’s classroom.
Classic, traditional names remained strong
Despite Gen Alpha being born into a new technological era, parents didn’t reject standard and traditional first names—in fact, many embraced them. In 2024, Olivia and Emma were still number one and number two for baby girls. For boys, Liam, Noah, and William demonstrated a similar endurance. While other baby name trends revealed new stylistic choices, the stubborn popularity of names like Amelia, Mia, and James shows that parents are mixing traditional names with more unique nicknames and middle names.
Boy names also showed a strong preference for classic, biblical names. Picks like David, Jacob, Matthew, and Elijah have been around for centuries, but are still holding strong for Gen Alpha boys.
Vintage, romantic names for girls rose through the ranks
Skim the girl names list, and you’ll notice a certain aesthetic sticking out amongst the pack: Scarlett, Isabella, Camila. These names are soft, melodic, and possess some of that European, vintage flair parents have been loving. This is one of the clearest trends we can see from the data: parents of Gen Alpha moved toward vintage, romantic names for baby girls. Even for names outside of the top 20, we still see this trend revealing itself. Nora, Violet, and Penelope saw a substantial rise through the ranks from 2013 to 2024. Other top climbers included Lucy and Ellie.
Soft, vowel-heavy names were widely used
If there is one standout trend for Gen Alpha names, I’d say it’s the use of soft, vowel-heavy names across both the boy and girl lists. Think Olivia and Evelyn, or Oliver and Liam. Some are longer, and some are shorter, but it’s likely parents are opting for these lyrical, melodic names because of how they sound and how they look on paper. They roll off the tongue and are packed with meaning.
This naming preference also showed itself in names that didn’t make the top 20, but still rose substantially through the ranks. Luca, Elias, and Levi were key climbers for boys. And girls saw names like Aria, Isla, and Luna shoot up the list.
International names became more and more common
Gen Alpha names also reveal a strong uptick in the use of international baby names. Just in the top 20 girl names, we see popular global picks like Camila, Sofia, and Isabella sitting near the top of the list. As for boys, there weren’t quite as many international picks in the top 20, but still plenty of other names that rose through the ranks between 2013 and 2024. Luca and Mateo are two notable picks.
While the exact cause of this trend is up for debate, it certainly shows that Gen Alpha parents are becoming increasingly comfortable with names that have cross-cultural connotations—even if the names are harder to pronounce.
More experimentation for girls names
It’s also important to note that Gen Alpha girl names saw a higher turnover amongst their top picks than boy names did. In fact, girl names that were very popular during the early 2000s—Hailey, Allison, Natalie, Audrey—saw a significant fall through the ranks as parents began to experiment with new trends and stylistic choices.
This pattern suggests that parents were perhaps more comfortable experimenting with baby girl names than they were with baby boy names, which showed a large preference for classic, biblical picks (Matthew, David, Jacob).
FAQs
What are the most popular baby names for Gen Alpha?
The most popular baby names for Gen Alpha include Olivia, Emma, and Sophia for girls. For boys, popular names include Liam, Noah, and William.
What girl names grew more popular with Gen Alpha?
Some of the most notable rising girl names for Gen Alpha include Camila, Amelia, and Scarlett, which jumped multiple places in the ranking from 2013 to 2024.
What boy names grew more popular with Gen Alpha?
Oliver was the fastest climber for Gen Alpha boy names, jumping 49 places from 2013 to 2024. Henry, Lucas, and James were also notable fast risers amongst Gen Alpha boys.
Are short baby names trending with Gen Alpha?
Yes! There’s a notable preference for short names amongst Gen Alpha kids. In fact, some baby name experts cite 4-letter names as the biggest name trend in the 2020s. Some notable picks include Ella, Emma, Liam, and Noah—all four letters.
Are vintage baby names popular with Gen Alpha?
Yes! There has been a big resurgence of vintage, classic baby names in Gen Alpha. For boys, this has meant names like Henry and David still claiming spots in the top 20. For girls, classic, lyrical names like Charlotte and Evelyn are still rising in popularity.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
