The baby names below saw sudden changes in usage during the 2000s (the decade) thanks to the influence of historical events. I’ve written explanatory blog posts about some of them — please click the links to learn more!
To check out history-influenced baby names from other decades, visit the baby name timeline main page.
2009
2009 Politics: Malia, Sasha, Bristol, Tripp
2009 Movie characters: Coraline, Pippin, Renesmee, Cullen, Pepper
2009 TV characters: Marichuy, Castiel, Godric, Analia
2009 TV personalities: Baya, Greidys, Chastelyn, Kiptyn, Neveen, Ailea, Trason, Aysia, Atalya, Teyona, Nijah, Tahlia, Sundai, Analeigh, Dhani, Makynli, Zonnique
2009 Video game characters: Illidan, Arthas, Anivia
2009 Actors: Jencarlos
2009 Singers: Demi, Jeremih, Yandel
2009 Musical group: Avett
2009 Rapper: Kiotti
2009 Sports: Wanderlei, Urijah, Kexin, Chase, Jrue, Kinsler, Pennington, Bojan, Xabi, Tashard
2009 Product: Tesla
2009 Celebrity babies: Bronx, Honor, Knox, Vivienne
2009 Celebrity related: Yanixan
2009 Model: Gisele
2008
2008 News: Caylee
2008 Politics: Barack, Obama, Rahm, Palin, Daschle, Trig, Hillary
2008 Movie characters: Yvaine, Marley, Evolet, Spartan, Iridessa, Juno
2008 TV characters: Mili, Milagros, Albeiro, Aymar, Azazel
2008 TV personalities: Kimoralee, Kimora, Yaindhi, Jometh, Yerly, Jennavecia, Jenah, Syesha, Aideliz, Emeraude, Dayami, Kherington, Kesan, Byata, Dhani, Kellyanne, Deangelo, Que, Teyana
2008 Video game characters: Cortana, Roxas, Zaon, Jenova, Kratos, Rydia
2008 Actors: Allisson, Demi, Altair, Blake, Leighton, Tinashe
2008 Singers: Colbie, Chrisette, Eiza, Kany, Wisin
2008 Sports: Crosby, Jacoby, Sneijder, Yosgart, Korver
2008 Celebrity babies: Harlow, Nahla
2008: Beauty queens: Dayana, Taliana
2007
Here are the names for 2007.
2006
Here are the names for 2006.
2005
2005 News: Johnpaul, Gemelli, Johnbenedict, Benedict, Katrina
2005 Politics: Condoleezza
2005 Movie characters: Achilles, Aleera, Briseis, Davanee, Dash, Patience, Constantine
2005 Movie: Syriana
2005 TV personalities: Naima, Toccara, Norelle, Kahlen, Lluvy, Keenyah, Abyade, Yuridia, Jolette, Jayro, Krisily, Mikalah, Jordis, Anhuar, Neyzer, Marijose, Dayris, Niliyne, Johanna, Nehemiah, Aubrey, Mylah, Yahaira, Ibis, Carlysia
2005 Video game character: Kaileena
2005 Actors: Arleth, Joemy, Samaire, Sienna
2005 Book: Davinci
2005 Comic: Thessaly
2005 Song: Karma
2005 Singers: Rihanna, Dierks
2005 Rappers: Jayceon, Daddy
2005 Sports: Zinedine, Yadier, Ginobili, Antrell, Colt, Danica
2005 Celebrity babies: Zahara, Kailand
2005 Celebrity related: Dereon, Dayanara
2005 Model: Azzareya
2004
2004 News: Tsunami, Espn, Chalino
2004 Politics: Kerry
2004 Movie characters: Theoden, Riddick, Jovie, Paikea, Naturelle, Jazira, Kaena, Veer, Zaara, Celeste, Kenai, Koda
2004 Movie: Garv
2004 TV personalities: Tsitsiki, Bam, Jenascia, Janayra, Kany, Reyli, Hiromi, Dexiree, Adan, Xitlali, Shiomara, Brissia, Trishelle, Mallory, Cameran, Jacquese, Tarralyn, Kina
2004 Video game character: Sora
2004 Actors: Gwyneth, Scarlett, Keira, Heder, Mischa, Remini, Ninel, Grettel, Kayky, Mariska, Khotan
2004 Song: Zoejane
2004 Singers: Betzaida, Milian, Amylee, Roselyn
2004 Rappers: Kanye, Jkwon, Obie
2004 Sports: Kahne
2004 Products: Amanti, Scion
2004 Celebrity babies: Apple, Coco, Ryder
2004 Beauty queen: Shandi
2003
2003 News: Nasiriyah
2003 Movie characters: Legolas, Vivienne, Niobe, Sidda, Siddalee, Rheya, Samara, Mathayus, Akasha
2003 Movie: Solaris
2003 TV character: Kenshin
2003 TV personalities: Giada, Nigella, Trenyce, Reichen, Irulan, Arissa, Brynn, Azeneth, Gracin, Yamna, Demis, Jonessa, Jamirah, Helene
2003 commercial: Myzel
2003 Video game characters: Aerith, Riku
2003 Actors: Niurka, Karyme, Daveigh, Khamani
2003 Singers: Pharrell, Avril, Nivea
2003 Musical group: Ramiyah
2003 Sports: Amare, Lebron, Torii
2003 Celebrity babies: Diezel, Carys, Stellan, Cashel
2003 Beauty queens: Jiapsi, Zuszeth, Mariangel
2002
2002 News: Aaliyah, Nyla
2002 9/11-related news: Giuliani, Jihad, Islam, Mohamed
2002 War: Osama, Jenin
2002 Movie characters: Samwise, Satine, Cadence, Anubis, Kida, Tenoch, Juni, Blade
2002 TV characters: Dijonay, Karicia, Emma
2002 TV personalities: Neleh, Wendolee, Yahir, Ninel, Aneesa, Jisela
2002 Video game characters: Tidus, Auron, Kimahri
2002 Actor: Taraji, Gael
2002 Singers: Ashanti, Omarion, Shakira, Amerie, Eyra, Jhene, Nelly
2002 Musical group: Isyss
2002 Rappers: Sacario, Juelz, Nore
2002 Producer: Kanye
2002 Sports: Apolo, Peja, Raef
2002 Celebrity babies: Maddox, Syrai
2002 Model: Shallan
2001
2001 News: Mychal, Yuleidi
2001 Politics: Cheney
2001 Movie characters: Maximus, Nyah, Novalee, Americus, Lara, Sway, Torrance
2001 TV personalities: Colby
2001 TV characters: Caillou, Taina, Nayeli, Greenlee, Sirr, Azucena
2001 TV talk show guest: Shadimon
2001 Video game character: Rune
2001 Actors: Angelina, Ludwika, Sanaa
2001 Singers: Natina, Yaire, Naturi
2001 Rappers: Jaheim, Jarule, Shyne, Romeo
2001 Musical group: Linkin
2001 Sports: Kobe, Ladainian, Kwame, Brady, Iverson, Rivaldo
2001 Celebrity babies: Nevaeh, Eja, Xen, Denim, Caziah
2000
2000 News: Elian, Marisleysis, Iuma, Dragon, Long, Ryu, Tatsu
2000 Politics: Mccain
2000 Movie characters: Nyah, Morpheus, Laney, Zack, Ishika
2000 TV personalities: Ikaika, Laterrian
2000 TV characters: Fatima, Yamile, Montse, Montserrat, Sebastian, Meadow
2000 TV contestant: Alancia
2000 Video game character: Rinoa, Raziel
2000 Actors: Jude, Jolie, Hrithik, Niurka, Karyme, Arleth, Hallie
2000 Singers: Kelis, Sisqo, Sonique, Shamari, Avant
2000 Rappers: Jayz, Sole, Amil
2000 Sports: Edgerrin, Erubiel, Lleyton, Rikishi, Midajah
2000 Product: Jadore
2000 Celebrity babies: Rocco, Massai
2000 Beauty queen: Yukta