Used to be you just named em after the mountain or valley where you gave birth. Or the trade or craft the clan mastered. Maybe you saw a bird fly by or a star fall from the sky. You named em for the future you hoped they would have or the legends in your family’s past.

These days, inspiration can come from some wild places. And sometimes, that birth certificate stays as empty as your creativity. Choosing a baby name isn’t easy.

What about you? How did you decide on the baby name you picked? And is it on the list?

The Top 20 Baby Names of 2011

Girls

1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
11. Elizabeth
12. Ella
13. Addison
14. Natalie
15. Lily
16. Grace
17. Samantha
18. Avery
19. Sofia
20. Aubrey

Boys

1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. William
4. Jayden
5. Noah
6. Michael
7. Ethan
8. Alexander
9. Aiden
10. Daniel
11. Anthony
12. Matthew
13. Elijah
14. Joshua
15. Liam
16. Andrew
17. James
18. David
19. Benjamin
20. Logan