Matthew … its meaning is "gift of the Lord" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Matthew is of Hebrew origin. Matthew was one of the twelve disciples, and he wrote one of the Gospels. Matthew was a tax collector before becoming a disciple, so he includes the most references to parables related to money as compared to the other gospels.

In the United States, the baby name Matthew has not dropped below #209 since 1880. (The baby name ranked #209 in 1931.) The baby name broke into the Top 100 in 1956 and jumped into the Top 10 in 1972, where it has remained ever since. The baby name Matthew peaked at #2 in 1995 and 1996, and it dropped down to #9 in 2007. See Popular Baby Names.

Anthony … its meaning is " unknown" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Anthony is of Latin origin. Nobody knows what the baby name is supposed to mean. I checked several sites, and they all report that the meaning of the baby name Anthony is unknown.

Apparently, not knowing the meaning of the baby name Anthony has not affected the popularity of the baby name. In the United States, the baby name Anthony has been in the Top 100 since 1883!

Sophia … its meaning is "wisdom" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Sophia is of Greek origin. The name Sophia has been popular name since 1880 (the last date for which I could find statistics). Back in 1880, the baby name Sophia ranked at #118.

After the turn of the century, the popularity of the baby name Sophia plummeted. While the baby name still ranked in the Top 1000, it dropped out of the Top 300 in 1922 and dropped all the way down to #858 in 1942.

By the late 1950’s, the baby name Sophia started gaining popularity.

Madison … its meaning is "son of the mighty warrier" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Madison is of Old English origin. Believe it or not, the baby name Madison was originally a boy’s name. The baby name did not even make the Top 1000 in popularity as a baby girl's name until 1985. See Popular Baby Names. There is speculation that Daryl Hannah’s mermaid in the 1984 movie Splash had something to do with Madison making its debut as a baby girl’s name in 1985. See Think Baby Names.

Daniel … its meaning is " God is my judge" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Daniel is of Hebrew origin. Daniel is the prophet who was thrown in the lion’s den for continuing to pray to God in violation of the king’s edict. God sealed the mouths of the lions, so Daniel was still alive the next morning, much to the king’s relief. You can read about Daniel’s life in the Book of Daniel.

The baby name Daniel had been a wildly popular name for the last 100 years. Since 1908, the lowest ranking that the baby name Daniel has reached is #55 back in 1914-1916.The baby name has remained in the Top 12 since 1973. In 2007, the baby name Daniel ranked #5, which is the highest the baby name has ever ranked (tying with its ranking in 1985 and 1990). See Popular Baby Names.

Ethan … its meaning is " firmness, steadfastness, constancy" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Ethan is of Hebrew origin. According to Think Baby Names, the name Ethan comes from the name Eitan, who was “a man of Israel noted for his wisdom.” However, according to BibleGateway.com, the name “Eitan” does not appear in the Bible. So, perhaps the story of Eitan was passed down through tradition rather than through the Bible??

Regardless, Ethan does have Hebrew roots, which makes it a good name for both Jewish and Christian adoptive families. The meaning of “firmness, steadfastness, and constancy” is a good one for families that grow through adoption because so much “steadfastness” is required to make it through the adoption process.

The baby name Ethan is a Top Ten baby name.

Ava … its meaning is "life; serpent; bird" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Ava is of unknown origin. It is possibly of Germanic origin. The baby name Ava might possibly be a variation of the Hebrew name Chava, meaning either “life” or “serpent.” Another possible origin is a variation of the Latin word “avis,” which means “bird.”

The baby name Ava is a wildly popular baby name but only in recent years. The statistical history of this baby name is fascinating.

Emma … its meaning is "whole; complete" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Emma is of German origin. The name Emma is a wildly popular baby name and has been popular since 1880, which is the last date for which I could find statistics.

What’s interesting about the popularity of the baby name Emma is that it was as popular in the 1880’s as it is today. The baby name Emma ranked at #3 from 1880 through 1886. The baby name stayed in the Top Ten through 1897 and gradually decreased in popularity, falling below the Top 50 in 1923 and the Top 100 in 1942. The baby name’s lowest ranking was at #463 in 1976.

After 1976, the popularity of the baby name Emma increased.

Isabella … its meaning is "God’s promise; God is my oath" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Isabella is a variant of the baby name Elizabeth, which is of Hebrew origin, and also of the baby name Isabel, which is of Spanish and Latin origin.

The baby name Isabella was somewhat popular in the early 1900’s, but it fell off the charts after 1948, when it ranked #996. The baby name then resurfaced on the charts in 1990, ranking at #895. By 1998, the baby name Isabella was in the Top 100, and by 2004, the baby name had broken into the Top Ten. As of 2007, the baby name Isabella ranked #2. See Popular Baby Names.

Emily … its meaning is "industrious; striving" - Think Baby Names

The baby name Emily is of Latin origin. The name Emily is a wildly popular baby name and has been in the Top 100 since 1973. The baby name broke into the Top Ten in 1991 and has remained there ever since. The baby name Emily has ranked #1 every year since 1996. See Popular Baby Names.