The three most popular names for American males are James, John and Robert, as of 2015. These names bested the rest according to Social Security Administration data for name usage over 100 years, spanning from 1915 to 2014.Continue Reading
The most popular boy's name, James, has biblical origins. Two apostles in the New Testament went by the name. Six of 43 U.S. presidents have also borne the name, making it the most common presidential first name, as of 2015. A number of English and Scottish royals have also gone by the name.
The name John has Hebrew origins. It means "the grace or mercy of the Lord." There were several Johns in the Bible, including John the Baptist. William Shakespeare frequently used the name, which appears in many of his works, including "Much Ado about Nothing" and "Romeo and Juliet."
The name Robert comes from the German name Hrodebert, which means "bright fame." This name became popular in Britain after its introduction to the region by the Normans. Its popularity traveled across the ocean to America with the early colonists. A host of famous Americans, including writer Robert Frost and actors Robert Redford, Robert De Niro and Robert Downey Jr. have shared this name.Learn more about Education