Ethan vs Liam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ethan

Boy #19 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"permanent, long-lived"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English American Jewish Christian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#19
Total SSA Count
8,170
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Eth

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ethan →

Liam

Boy #1 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong-willed warrior"

Origin: Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1
Total SSA Count
22,164
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Liam →

Popularity Comparison

Ethan Rank #19
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #19 for Ethan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ethan ___

  • Ethan James
  • Ethan Cole
  • Ethan Thomas
  • Ethan Alexander
  • Ethan Grey
  • Ethan Joseph

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ethan

Emma Sophia Noah Olivia Lucas

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethan or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to Ethan at #19 in the United States.

What do Ethan and Liam mean?

Ethan means "permanent, long-lived" (Hebrew origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are Ethan and Liam boy or girl names?

Ethan is primarily a boy name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Ethan ← Full profile: Liam Browse all baby names