Most popular baby names shared by Oscar winners

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September 16, 2019
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Most popular baby names shared by Oscar winners

In a world where children are given names like Apple and Rocket, it's easy to think today's culture has done away with the classics. It's certainly fair to say the baby name pool has become more eclectic. But there's still room for names with history, and for those that reference a legacy of greatness. In fact, many of the classics are more than alive; they're thriving. And what greater legacy to pass on to the next generation than the Academy Awards? Whether it's motivated by the writing, the thespian talent, a riveting performance, or perspective-changing cinematography, naming a baby after an Oscar-winner is always a solid choice.

It's no secret that names hold a certain reference in parents' minds; and, according to the numbers, this is very much true. To determine the most popular baby names shared by Oscar winners, Stacker compiled data from Behind the Name's Oscar Award Winners Namesakes list and the Social Security Administration's 2018 name popularity rankings. Then, we ranked names by the number of Oscar winners for best actor, best actress, and best director who share this name. Ties are broken by the names' popularity in 2018. All 45 names shared by two or more Oscar winners for best actor, best actress, and best director are included in this gallery. The Oscar winners who share these names and the years they won their awards are also included. For stars who won multiple Oscars, the first year they won is included.

Click ahead to see if your favorite name (or perchance your own) made the list. Or, better yet, be ready to be inspired.

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#45. Kim

- Today's name popularity rank: #4,046 (35 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Kim Basinger (1997), Kim Hunter (1951)

Actress Kim Hunter took home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1951 for her role as Stella Kowalski in the Hollywood classic “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Kim Basinger followed Hunter with her Oscar win in 1997 for her supporting role as Lynn Bracken in “L.A. Confidential.” While Basinger was director Curtis Hanson’s top (and only) pick for the role, the actress apparently said no to it three times before agreeing to play Lynn.

#44. Tom

- Today's name popularity rank: #2,103 (66 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- Tom Hanks (1993), Tom Hooper (2010)

It’s undeniable that Tom Hanks dominated the stage of ‘90s cinema. It’s equally unsurprising that his name is one of the top-ranked names of babies born in 2018. Hanks won his first Oscar for his leading role in “Philadelphia” in 1993 and the next year for his leading role in “Forrest Gump.” The second Tom that earned the name an Oscar is English director Tom Hooper who earned his Oscar for directing the 2010 film “The King’s Speech.”

#43. Joan

- Today's name popularity rank: #1,722 (118 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Joan Crawford (1945), Joan Fontaine (1941)

The award-winning ladies that claim this name as their own are definitely not void of the dramatics. Joan Fontaine earned an Oscar for her starring role in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Suspicion,” playing opposite Cary Grant. She is the only actor (woman or man) to win an Oscar for their role in a Hitchcock film. The second Joan to win an Oscar is Joan Crawford, who accepted her award for “Mildred Pierce”... in bed. Legend has it that the actress feigned illness on the night of the ceremony, but after hearing that she won, she quickly made herself up and invited press into her bedroom to accept the award within the comfort of her bed.

#42. Barry

- Today's name popularity rank: #1,207 (154 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- Barry Fitzgerald (1944), Barry Levinson (1988)

Barry Levinson was awarded Best Director for “Rain Man” and three years later was nominated for the same distinction for “Bugsy.” It was actor Barry Fitzgerald, however, who first made an award-winning name out of Barry. Fitzgerald was nominated for both a leading and supporting role in the 1944 film “Going My Way,” but won the award for his supporting role.

#41. Susan

- Today's name popularity rank: #1,079 (234 babies born)
- Name shared by 2 actresses
--- Susan Hayward (1958), Susan Sarandon (1995)

The two Susans who have won Oscars, though decades apart, actually share a lot in common. Susan Hayward and Susan Sarandon have each won one award have four nominations—all of which are for leading roles. Hayward won her Oscar in 1958 for her starring role in “I Want to Live!,” which she also won a Golden Globe for. Sarandon won her Oscar in 1995 for her leading role in “Dead Man Walking.”

#40. Mercedes

- Today's name popularity rank: #1,068 (236 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Mercedes McCambridge (1949), Mercedes Ruehl (1991)

While Mercedes McCambridge may have won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in “All the King’s Men,” some may not know she also provided the raspy voice of the girl possessed by a demon in “The Exorcist.” McCambridge was nominated for another Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in the 1956 film “Giant.” The second Oscar-winning Mercedes in question is the lovely Mercedes Ruehl, who won for her supporting role in “The Fisher King.”

#39. Patricia

- Today's name popularity rank: #909 (293 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Patricia Arquette (2014), Patricia Neal (1963)

Patricia Neal won an Oscar for her leading role in “Hud” in 1963, which French actress Annabelle accepted in her stead. Patricia Arquette won for her supporting role in the precedent-setting film “Boyhood,” a scripted film that was shot over the course of 10 years. During the 2014 ceremony, Arquette used her acceptance speech to talk about the importance of equal pay for equal work—an issue that still plagues the industry to this day.

#38. Ben

- Today's name popularity rank: #692 (347 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors
--- Ben Johnson (1971), Ben Kingsley (1982)

The rugged Western actor Ben Johnson won one Oscar during his entire career for his role in the 1971 film “The Last Picture Show,” despite having about 300 films to his name. Ben Kingsley won his award for his role in 1982’s “Gandhi” where he portrayed the life of Mohandas Gandhi. This role was Kingsley’s first nomination and win for an Oscar.

#37. Lee

- Today's name popularity rank: #688 (350 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 actress
--- Lee Grant (1975), Lee Marvin (1965)

The versatility of this name is displayed by the two Oscar-winning actors that bear it. First being actor Lee Marvin, who won for his leading role in the film “Cat Ballou” in 1965. The second is Lee Grant, an actress who won for her supporting role in the 1975 film “Shampoo.”

#36. Gary

- Today's name popularity rank: #674 (367 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors
--- Gary Cooper (1941), Gary Oldman (2017)

Gary Cooper created a high bar for the name being one of the few to win three Oscars in his lifetime. Two awards were for his leading roles in “Sergeant York” and “High Noon” and his third award for his memorable performances international acclaim he gained for the motion picture industry. Gary Oldman is the second to earn the name prestige, earning the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in 2017’s “Darkest Hour.”

#35. Sam

- Today's name popularity rank: #601 (451 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- Sam Mendes (1999), Sam Rockwell (2017)

Both Sams in this category are known for their provocative work in the industry. Sam Mendes took home an Oscar for directing “American Beauty,” a dark comedy that shook up the ‘90s (and that earned four other Oscars, including Best Picture), and Sam Rockwell winning for his antihero role in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

#34. Julie

- Today's name popularity rank: #588 (516 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Julie Andrews (1964), Julie Christie (1965)

The two Oscar-winning actresses named Julie actually became competitors in their category at the 1966 Oscars. Because Julie Andrews won for her lead role in 1965 for the Disney musical “Mary Poppins,” it was expected that she would also win the following year for her lead role in “The Sound of Music.” However, it was Julie Christie who snagged the award for her lead role in “Darling.”

#33. Jessica

- Today's name popularity rank: #312 (1,057 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Jessica Lange (1982), Jessica Tandy (1989)

Jessica Lange won her first Oscar for her supporting role in the 1982 film “Tootsie” alongside Dustin Hoffman. It wasn’t until 1995 that she would take home an Oscar for a lead role with “Blue Sky.” Jessica Tandy won the Oscar for Best Actress for her iconic role as Daisy Werthan in “Driving Miss Daisy” in 1989 after six decades as a performer. 2018’s “The Green Book” was called “a blatantly Oscar-baiting flip on ‘Driving Miss Daisy’” by Richard Brody for The New Yorker.

#32. Sean

- Today's name popularity rank: #269 (1,310 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors
--- Sean Connery (1987), Sean Penn (2003)

Although Bond may be top of mind for Sean Connery, he actually won his Oscar for his supporting role in “The Untouchables” in 1988. Sean Penn won his first Oscar for his lead role in “Mystic River” and for his portrayal of politician Harvey Milk in “Milk.” For that film, Penn underwent an extensive makeup routine, including a reconfigured hairline, contact lenses, and a prosthetic nose and teeth.

#31. Steven

- Today's name popularity rank: #198 (2,022 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 directors
--- Steven Soderbergh (2000), Steven Spielberg (1993)

The name Steven is shared by two of the most influential directors of the 21st century: Steven Spielberg and Steven Soderbergh. With an incredible amount of iconic films to his name, Steven Spielberg’s films include “E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jaws,” “The Goonies,” “The Color Purple,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and many more. Steven Soderbergh has earned an equally notable roster of films including “Erin Brockovich,” “Traffic,” “Behind the Candelabra,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” and “Magic Mike.”

#30. Richard

- Today's name popularity rank: #187 (2,119 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- Richard Attenborough (1982), Richard Dreyfuss (1977)

Richard Dreyfuss is known for his memorable roles in iconic films such as “Jaws,” “American Graffiti,” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” Dreyfuss finally earned the Oscar for his leading role in 1977’s “The Goodbye Girl,” nudging past Marlon Brando to become the youngest actor at the time to have won the award.

And if you needed any further convincing that “Gandhi” is a great movie, Richard Attenborough won his Oscar for his directing alongside Ben Kingsley (#38) as lead actor, as well as the film winning for Best Picture.

#29. Joel

- Today's name popularity rank: #187 (2,119 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- Joel Coen (2007), Joel Grey (1972)

The first Joel to win an Oscar is Joel Grey, who won for his supporting role in 1972’s “Cabaret” directed by the iconic choreographer Bob Fosse, who also won Best Director on that film. The second is Joel Coen, one-half of the indomitable filmmaking duo the Coen brothers. The pair’s first Best Screenplay Oscar was for 1996’s “Fargo.” The pair went on to virtually sweep the awards for 2007’s “No Country for Old Men,” with Oscars for Best Picture, Best Directing, and Best Screenplay.

#28. Victor

- Today's name popularity rank: #177 (2,213 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- Victor Fleming (1939), Victor McLaglen (1935)

Known particularly for his roles in the Western genre, Victor McLaglen made seven films with John Ford and John Wayne. McLaglen eventually won for his lead role in the 1935 film “The Informer” set during the Irish War of Independence, and would also be nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in “The Quiet Man.” The second Oscar-winning Victor is none other than Victor Fleming, director of "Gone With the Wind," the most successful independent film ever made.

#27. Anna

- Today's name popularity rank: #54 (4,145 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Anna Magnani (1955), Anna Paquin (1993)

The name Anna gained its first accolade with Italian actress Anna Magnani’s Oscar win for Best Actress in 1955 for the movie adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play “The Rose Tattoo.” The second Anna to secure the name’s popularity is Anna Paquin, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1993 for her role in “The Piano” at 11 years old. Her Oscar win made her the second-youngest winner in the category, after Tatum O’Neal, who won her Oscar at 10.

#26. Charles

- Today's name popularity rank: #52 (6,604 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors
--- Charles Coburn (1943), Charles Laughton (1933)

The name Charles earned a significant distinction when Charles Laughton won the Oscar for his leading role portraying King Henry VIII in the 1933 film “The Private Life of Henry VIII.” The second of the two is Charles Coburn, who was awarded an Oscar for his supporting role in the 1943 film “The More the Merrier.”

#25. Christopher

- Today's name popularity rank: #42 (7,261 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors
--- Christopher Plummer (2011), Christopher Walken (1978)

The name Christopher is attached to two prolific, Oscar-winning actors who bear the moniker. The first was Christopher Walken, who in 1978 won Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Deer Hunter.” He was nominated in the same category in 2003 for his role as the con artist father in “Catch Me if You Can.” The second award-winning Christopher is Christopher Plummer, who won for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Beginners” in 2011. At 82, his win made him the oldest actor to receive an Oscar in this category.

#24. Joseph

- Today's name popularity rank: #23 (9,555 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- Joseph L. Mankiewicz (1949), Joseph Schildkraut (1937)

Joseph Schildkraut may be best-remembered for playing Anne Frank’s father Otto in the 1959 film “The Diary of Anne Frank.” However, Schildkraut won his Oscar far before that role in the 1937 film “The Life of Emile Zola.” Joseph L. Mankiewicz won Oscars for his screenplay and direction on the 1949 film “A Letter to Three Wives,” besides earning Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director for “All About Eve.”

#23. David

- Today's name popularity rank: #22 (9,697 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 1 director
--- David Lean (1957), David Niven (1958)

David Lean is the legendary director behind classics such as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Doctor Zhivago,” “A Passage to India,” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” which he won his first Oscar for. Lean is followed by actor David Niven, who actually hosted the Academy Awards in 1959 and won for Best Actor for his role in the film “Separate Tables.” He is the only host that has ever won for Best Actor the same year he hosted.

#22. Olivia

- Today's name popularity rank: #2 (17,921 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Olivia Colman (2019), Olivia de Havilland (1946)

Two bold actresses have created a strong reputation for the name Olivia. Olivia de Havilland won the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1946 for her role in “To Each His Own.” This win was especially noteworthy because “To Each His Own” was Havilland’s first film after an enforced two-year absence from working in the industry while engaging with a lawsuit with Warner Brothers for her excessively restrictive contract. The second is English actress Olivia Colman, winning for her lead role as Queen Anne in the 2018 film “The Favourite.”

#21. Emma

- Today's name popularity rank: #1 (18,688 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actresses
--- Emma Stone (2016), Emma Thompson (1992)

Emma Stone was also in “The Favourite,” but won her Academy Award for her lead role as Mia Dolan in Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” in 2016. The film won an astounding six awards that year. The second award-winning actress of the same first name is English actress Emma Thompson, who won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in “Howards End.”

#20. Shirley

- Today's name popularity rank: #1,451 (150 babies born)
- Name shared by: 3 actresses
--- Shirley Booth (1952), Shirley Jones (1960), Shirley MacLaine (1983)

The first Oscar-winner of this name, Shirley Booth, was actually only a Shirley by credit. She was born Thelma Booth Ford and won her award for Best Actress in “Come Back, Little Sheba” in 1952. The second, Shirley Jones, was known her her wholesome musical roles in films like “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” and “The Music Man,” however she won her only Oscar for her role as a prostitute in “Elmer Gantry” in 1960. Lastly, as if that wasn’t enough star power, the unforgettable Shirley MacLaine won an Academy Award for her leading role in “Terms of Endearment” in 1983.

#19. Helen

- Today's name popularity rank: #413 (745 babies born)
- Name shared by: 3 actresses
--- Helen Hayes (1932), Helen Hunt (1997), Helen Mirren (2006)

Nicknamed the “First Lady of American Theater,” Helen Hayes leads the pack in this group and is one of the few who have earned the designation of EGOT that is given for the accomplishment of winning all four major American entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Second, Helen Hunt won her award for her leading role in “As Good As it Gets” in 1997. Last, is English actress Helen Mirren, who took home an Oscar for her role as Queen Elizabeth in “The Queen” in 2006.

#18. Jane

- Today's name popularity rank: #291 (1,123 babies born)
- Name shared by: 3 actresses
--- Jane Darwell (1940), Jane Fonda (1971), Jane Wyman (1948)

Jane is a classic name with fantastic cinematic standing, beginning with Jane Darwell and her Oscar win for her supporting role in the John Steinbeck film adaptation of “Grapes of Wrath” in 1940. Jane Wyman won her award nine years later for her leading role in “Johnny Belinda.” And the most famous of the bunch, with two Oscar wins and five other nominations, is Jane Fonda.

#17. Martin

- Today's name popularity rank: #272 (1,286 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors, 1 director
--- Martin Balsam (1965), Martin Landau (1994), Martin Scorsese (2006)

Leading the pack of Oscar-winning Martins is Martin Balsam for his 1966 win as Best Supporting Actor in “A Thousand Clowns.” The second is actor Martin Landau who won his Oscar for his supporting role in the film “Ed Wood” in 1994. And last, but arguably the most impactful on film as a whole, is director Martin Scorsese who won for his 2006 film “The Departed,” although he has received 11 nominations for Academy Awards throughout his career.

#16. Walter

- Today's name popularity rank: #271 (1,303 babies born)
- Name shared by: 3 actors
--- Walter Brennan (1936), Walter Huston (1948), Walter Matthau (1966)

Starting with the most decorated Walter of the bunch, Walter Brennan won his first Oscar in 1937 for his supporting role in “Come and Get It,” and would later win two additional awards in the same category for “Kentucky” and “The Westerner.” The second award-winning Walter is Walter Huston for his supporting role in “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” which he also received a Golden Globe for that year. Lastly, actor and comedian Walter Matthau won for his supporting role in the 1966 film “The Fortune Cookie” alongside Jack Lemmon.

#15. Peter

- Today's name popularity rank: #211 (1,812 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors, 1 director
--- Peter Finch (1976), Peter Jackson (2003), Peter Ustinov (1960)

Peter Ustinov won his first Oscar in 1961 for his supporting role in the film classic “Spartacus” and his second four years later for his supporting role in “Topkapi.” But it was Peter Finch who became the first to be nominated and win for a movie posthumously. He won for his leading role in 1976’s “Network.” His widow, Eletha Finch, accepted the award on his behalf. The last Peter is possibly responsible for one of the most successful movie franchises in history: “Lord of the Rings.” He won his award for direction on “The Return of the King,” the last of the famed trilogy.

#14. Mary

- Today's name popularity rank: #126 (2,327 babies born)
- Name shared by: 3 actresses
--- Mary Astor (1941), Mary Pickford (1929), Mary Steenburgen (1980)

Mary Pickford won an Oscar during the second year of the Academy Awards for her role in “Coquette,” but faced a lot of criticism as this was her first talkie film. Mary Astor followed Pickford’s win for her supporting role in “The Great Lie.” More recently, Mary Steenburgen won an Oscar for her role in the 1980 film “Melvin and Howard.”

#13. Kevin

- Today's name popularity rank: #125 (3,124 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors, 1 director
--- Kevin Costner (1990), Kevin Kline (1988), Kevin Spacey (1995)

The ‘80s and ‘90s were rife with stars bearing the name Kevin. Kevin Kline won his Oscar for his role in “A Fish Called Wanda” in 1989. Kline has become one of the most dynamic actors of his time, playing roles that range from cartoons to singing characters. Kline’s win was followed by Kevin Costner’s in 1991 for his direction on modern classic “Dances with Wolves.” Last, but certainly the most controversial, is Kevin Spacey, who won for his leading role in “American Beauty.” Most recently, Spacey was cast to star in Ridley Scott’s 2017 film “All the Money in the World,” but was replaced by Christopher Plummer after many sexual allegations came to light.

#12. Anthony

- Today's name popularity rank: #38 (8,003 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors, 1 director
--- Anthony Hopkins (1991), Anthony Minghella (1996), Anthony Quinn (1952)

Anthony Quinn earned two Oscar wins, beginning with “Viva Zapata!” in 1953 and followed by “Lust for Life” in 1957. The next is the talented Anthony Hopkins for his spine-tingling role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.” And finally, the director Anthony Minghella won for his work on the 1996 film “The English Patient.”

#11. Anne

- Today's name popularity rank: #599 (504 babies born)
- Name shared by: 4 actresses
--- Anne Bancroft (1962), Anne Baxter (1946), Anne Hathaway (2012), Anne Revere (1945)

This crop of talent is known for taking on bold roles. Anne Baxter scored an Oscar for her win in “The Razor’s Edge” in 1947, followed by Anne Revere for her win in “National Velvet” in 1946, and then Anne Bancroft for her win in “The Miracle Worker” in 1963, and finally with Anne Hathaway for her lead role in the 2012 adaptation of “Les Miserables.” Upon winning her Oscar, Hathaway revealed that she had to pretend to be happy and said, “I kind of lost my mind doing that movie.”

#10. Frank

- Today's name popularity rank: #392 (803 babies born)
- Name shared by: 1 actor, 3 directors
--- Frank Borzage (1928), Frank Capra (1934), Frank Lloyd (1929), Frank Sinatra (1953)

You’ve made it to the many talented Franks, most of which are on this list for their directing. That is, except for the era-defining actor Frank Sinatra, who earned his place within this highly lauded cast for his role in “From Here to Eternity” in 1954. Another notable is the work of Frank Capra, a talented actor with a keen eye who won awards for his direction in the mid-’30s for “It Happened One Night,” “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” and “You Can’t Take It with You.”

#9. Jennifer

- Today's name popularity rank: #344 (915 babies born)
- Name shared by: 4 actresses
--- Jennifer Connelly (2001), Jennifer Hudson (2006), Jennifer Jones (1943), Jennifer Lawrence (2012)

Jennifer Jones is at the forefront of this group of esteemed ladies winning her first Oscar for her leading role in “The Song of Bernadette” in 1943. The rest of the Jennifers won their Oscars within the last 20 years, including Jennifer Connelly for “A Beautiful Mind,” Jennifer Hudson winning for her unforgettable musical role in “Dreamgirls,” and finally Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook.”

#8. Paul

- Today's name popularity rank: #234 (1,625 babies born)
- Name shared by: 4 actors
--- Paul Lukas (1943), Paul Muni (1936), Paul Newman (1986), Paul Scofield (1966)

Paul Muni is the first actor to share this name and win an Oscar, winning for his role portraying Louis Pasteur in “The Story of Louis Pasteur” in 1937. Next, Paul Lukas won for his lead role in “Watch on the Rhine” in 1944. Paul Scofield followed with a win for his lead role in the 1966 film “A Man for All Seasons.” And finally, Paul Newman coming through with three Oscar wins, two of which honor his work in the industry and one for his leading role in “The Color of Money.”

#7. Jack

- Today's name popularity rank: #28 (8,834 babies born)
- Name shared by: 4 actors
--- Jack Albertson (1968), Jack Lemmon (1955), Jack Nicholson (1975), Jack Palance (1991)

The actors in this category are chock full of personality. From the unique comedy of Jack Lemmon, who won his Oscar for “Mister Roberts” in 1956 to the quirky, yet charming personality of Jack Nicholson who won three Oscars for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “As Good as It Gets.” This couldn’t be more vividly highlighted than by Jack Palance’s on-stage, one-armed push-ups when he accepted his Oscar for his performance in “City Slickers” in 1991.

#6. Michael

- Today's name popularity rank: #14 (11,620 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors, 2 directors
--- Michael Caine (1986), Michael Cimino (1978), Michael Curtiz (1943), Michael Douglas (1987)

A reputable name with an all-star cast of Oscar-winners, famous Michaels include Michael Caine, who won two Oscars for the films “Hannah and Her Sisters” and “The Cider House Rules,” as well as Michael Curtiz who won for his iconic direction of “Casablanca.” Michael Douglas won his Oscars for his role in “Wall Street” as well as for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”—the first film in 41 years to win across the major Oscar categories: best picture, director, actor, actress, and screenplay.

#5. William

- Today's name popularity rank: #3 (14,516 babies born)
- Name shared by: 2 actors, 2 directors
--- William Friedkin (1971), William Holden (1953), William Hurt (1985), William Wyler (1942)

William Wyler started off strong in this group with four wins and 11 nominations. He earned his first win for “Mrs. Miniver” in 1943. William Holden became a huge box-office draw of the ‘50s and ‘60s era of film, earning an Oscar for his role in “Stalag 17” in 1954. William Friedkin won for his direction of the 1971 film “The French Connection.” Finally, William Hurt won for his role in “Kiss of a Spider Woman” in 1986.

#4. James

- Today's name popularity rank: #4 (13,525 babies born)
- Name shared by: 4 actors, 2 directors
--- James Cagney (1942), James Cameron (1997), James Coburn (1998), James Dunn (1945), James L. Brooks (1983), James Stewart (1940)

The James legacy began with James Stewart’s win for the 1940 film “The Philadelphia Story” up until James Coburn for his role in Paul Schrader’s “Affliction.” The many Johns have all made incredible work in the industry, most notably James Cameron and his work on his 1997 film “Titanic” and “Avatar,” as well as James L. Brooks for his films “Terms of Endearment” and Jerry Maguire.”

#3. Robert

- Today's name popularity rank: #71 (5,140 babies born)
- Name shared by: 3 actors, 4 directors
--- Robert Benton (1979), Robert De Niro (1974), Robert Donat (1939), Robert Duvall (1983), Robert Redford (1980), Robert Wise (1961), Robert Zemeckis (1994)

With an incredible number of Oscar-winning Roberts—three actors and four directors—there are just as many reasons why this name has gained in popularity. While all the Roberts in this list are undeniably recognizable, some also won multiple Oscars, including Robert Benton, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, and Robert Wise.

#2. John

- Today's name popularity rank: #27 (9,119 babies born)
- Name shared by: 4 actors, 4 directors
--- John Ford (1935), John G. Avildsen (1976), John Gielgud (1981), John Houseman (1973), John Huston (1948), John Mills (1970), John Schlesinger (1969), John Wayne (1969)

Over 9,000 babies named John were born in 2018, making it the second-most popular name shared by Oscar winners for that year. It’s no surprise that these babies share their namesake with the likes of John Ford, John Huston, John Houseman, and most notably, the iconic Singing Cowboy: John Wayne.

#1. George

- Today's name popularity rank: #127 (3,059 babies born)
- Name shared by: 7 actors, 3 directors
--- George Arliss (1930), George Burns (1975), George C. Scott (1970), George Chakiris (1961), George Clooney (2005), George Cukor (1964), George Kennedy (1967), George Roy Hill (1973), George Sanders (1950), George Stevens (1951)

Finally, the most popular baby name shared by Oscar winners is George. With 10 Georges winning Oscars, it’s fair to say that the name has earned itself a certain panache. The most influential George of the bunch on pop culture being George Clooney, an actor who earned a reputation for his wise, debonair characters and his star-studded list of girlfriends.

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