Top baby names of 2014 | CNN

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Top baby names of 2014

Updated 7:30 AM EST, Wed December 2, 2015
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The Social Security Administration's annual <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ssa.gov%2Foact%2Fbabynames%2F" 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 2014.<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 2014 for the second 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 2014.

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 2014 for the second 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. Actor <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Fname%2Fnm0914612%2Fbio%3Fref_%3Dnm_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. Actor Emma Watson made her cinematic debut in 2001 as Hermione in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Jemal Countess/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. Actor 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. Actor 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.
Jason Merritt/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," pictured here. 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.<br />
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," pictured here. 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.
Richard Cartwright/ABC via 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 playing the character 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 playing the character 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 was portrayed by actor Taylor Lautner in the film adaptation of the novel.
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 was portrayed by actor Taylor Lautner in the film adaptation of the novel.
Summit Entertainment
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
William is holding steady at No. 5 for the third year in a row, despite getting a royal boost from the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
5. William —
William is holding steady at No. 5 for the third year in a row, despite getting a royal boost from the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
Saeed Khan/Pool/Getty Images
The name 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? The 20th-century film star Ava Gardner.
5. Ava —
The name 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? The 20th-century film star Ava Gardner.
John Peodincuk/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
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 2014, 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, pictured.
6. Mia —
Mia was the sixth-most popular name among girls in 2014, 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, pictured.
Jaimie Trueblood/Universal Studios
Michael has been a popular name for boys across the generations. In 2014, it was ranked seventh. One star keeping the name current? Michael Cera of "Arrested Development," "Superbad" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."
7. Michael —
Michael has been a popular name for boys across the generations. In 2014, it was ranked seventh. One star keeping the name current? Michael Cera of "Arrested Development," "Superbad" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Actress Emily Blunt, left, is one of many famous Emilys who could be keeping the name in the top 10; it was ranked No. 7 in 2014. In February 2014, Blunt gave birth to a daughter named Hazel.
7. Emily —
Actress Emily Blunt, left, is one of many famous Emilys who could be keeping the name in the top 10; it was ranked No. 7 in 2014. In February 2014, Blunt gave birth to a daughter named Hazel.
Stefanie Keenan/WireImage/GETTY IMAGES
Alexander has long been among the most popular names for boys and in 2014, it ranked No. 8. 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 2014, it ranked No. 8. 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."
CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS/LANDOV
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.
8. 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
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.
9. 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
Madison has been among the top 10 names for girls since the late 1990s. Maybe it's no surprise that actor Madison Pettis of the Disney Channels "Cory in the House" was born in 1998.
9. Madison —
Madison has been among the top 10 names for girls since the late 1990s. Maybe it's no surprise that actor Madison Pettis of the Disney Channels "Cory in the House" was born in 1998.
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Nylon
Daniel is a globally popular moniker that boasts biblical origins, and feminine versions such as Danielle and Dani. The "Harry Potter" franchise star Daniel Radcliffe, born in 1989, is among the many famous Daniels of the current day.<br />
10. Daniel —
Daniel is a globally popular moniker that boasts biblical origins, and feminine versions such as Danielle and Dani. The "Harry Potter" franchise star Daniel Radcliffe, born in 1989, is among the many famous Daniels of the current day.
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
One of the most famous Charlottes of today is surely the newly born princess of Cambridge, whose parents are Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge arrived on May 2.
10. Charlotte —
One of the most famous Charlottes of today is surely the newly born princess of Cambridge, whose parents are Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge arrived on May 2.
JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

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