25 most popular baby boy names in Canada for 2016

Last year’s ranking: 1 

For the second year in a row, Liam was the most popular baby boy name in Canada. As the Irish short form for William (which also makes this year’s list), your little Liam will exude a bold sense of confidence, much like actor Liam Hemsworth. 

Did Emma come out on top again this year? Check out the top 25 girl names for 2016.

Last year’s ranking: 2

Sorry George and Harry, but William is the most influential royal when it comes to baby names. According to Nameberry, William stands for “resolute protection,” which is a perfect fit for your little prince. He’s royalty in your eyes, after all.

Read more: Top 100 baby names in Canada for 2016

Last year’s ranking: 4 

The rise in popularity of this sweet name has knocked down other biblical names on the list, like Jacob and Adam. This name means “peace” and “rest,” which may mean your little guy will give you lots of sleep in the future (hopefully!). On a sidenote, your little Noah might be a passionate and selfess boy, just like the main character in The Notebook.

Last year’s ranking: 6 

Your precious Benjamin will no doubt have a sense of wonder and an itch for adventure—much like the Founding Father of the United States. And Ben is a super cute shortform. 

Last year’s ranking: 3 

Your son will be destined for greatness with this name, and might even show success early in life—just like witty, 10-year-old Canadian actor, Jacob Tremblay. 

Last year’s ranking: 5 

This moniker means “from the hollow” which is quite fitting since 2016 was the year Gilmore Girls and our favourite fictional town, Stars Hollow, came back into our lives. This name is perfect for all those #TeamLogan fans. 

Last year’s ranking: 7 

An Old Testament name, Nathan means “given” or “he will give,” making this a great name for your caring and giving son. 

Last year’s ranking: 17

This classic name was very popular name this year! It means “affectionate” and is one of those names that will grow with your little guy. 

Last year’s ranking: 11 

If you’re a fan of Chad Michael Murray’s character on One Tree Hill, this is a perfect fit for your future basketball player.

Last year’s ranking: 9

This name was given a major boost with the release of the Mission Impossible films, which is quite fitting since Ethan means “strong.” It’s also the name of actor Ethan Hawke, who stars in a number of action-packed movies. Your baby boy may be little, but he’s full of strength. 

Last year’s ranking: 10 

Who better to name your son after than the beloved Thomas the Tank Engine, who keeps on moving forward in the face of difficulty? Your little guy will persevere and be successful with a name like this, just like the inventor of the lightbulb—Thomas Edison.

Last year’s ranking: 13

Mason has been a trendy name for the last few years, thanks in part to Kourtney Kardashian’s eldest son. Mason means “stone worker,” which may seem like an odd name to give your kid, but it’s a symbol of strength. 

Last year’s ranking: 20 

This timeless, unisex name (Blake Lively chose it for her daughter) is the ultimate choice if you’re looking for something that’ll grow with your child (you can call him Jamie when he’s little). Many funny people in the entertainment industry have this name, like hilarious talk show hosts James “Jimmy” Fallon and James Corden. 

Last year’s ranking: 14

This name means “God is my strength” and is the perfect moniker for your little angel. 

Last year’s ranking: 16

Meaning “defending men,” Alexander (or Alex for short) is a great name for your baby boy. He’ll share this strong name with conqueror Alexander the Great. It’s also the name that celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, chose for his son—you might have a great cook in your household someday.

Last year’s ranking: 12

Your tiny goober can share a name with Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s son and actor Samuel L. Jackson. It’s a biblical name that means “His name is God.”

Last year’s ranking: 19 

Stemming (pun intended) from the old tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, your little one will climb through life with this short, but powerful name. Anna Faris and Chris Pratt chose this cute name for their little guy. 

Last year’s ranking: 15

Speaking of funny, expect to be constantly laughing with your silly little Owen, who shares this name with actor, Owen Wilson. The name also means “warrior” and “well-born,” so you can’t go wrong with this bold choice.

Last year’s ranking: 

Your little guy might have musical abilities when he grows up like Maroon 5 frontman, Adam Levine. This biblical name means Man of the Earth so your cutie could be a big fan of playing outdoors. 

Last year’s ranking: 24

Whether you just like the shortened version of Leonardo or you based it off his zodiac sign, Leo stands for “lion” and your cub will be a strong leader. There were lots of little Leos born in 2016 including Jillian Harris’s son and Mindy Kaling’s fictional baby on The Mindy Project. 

Last year’s ranking: 48

This moniker is a favourite for royalty (it means “ruler of the home”) and Henry is actually Prince Harry’s full name. He’ll be a humanitarian who is always looking to help better the lives of others. The classic name has become quite trendy thanks to celebrity parents, like Julia Roberts and Heidi Klum, who picked it for their sons. 

Last year’s ranking: 8

Your talented and super smart guy might turn out to be a scientist or surgeon, just like Jackson Avery from Grey’s Anatomy. 

Last year’s ranking: 27

The literal translation for Aiden is “little fire,” meaning you might have a tiny firecracker on your hands. But boy is he cute! 

Last year’s ranking: 21 

He might be slick, like Felix the cat, but your little guy will be “happy” and “fortunate” in life.

Last year’s ranking: 30 

Your precious boy will be “thankful” and appreciative for all that you do, which is probably why Britney Spears liked the name so much for her 10-year-old son.

Read more: Top 100 baby names in Canada for 2016 8 baby name trends for 2017 100 years of popular baby names