Predictions 2019: Top Ten Baby NamesIt’s time for Top Ten baby names predictions 2019! Later this week, the US Social Security Administration will release the new most popular names list.

It’s like Christmas meets the Super Bowl meets my birthday.

New popularity lists means plenty more prognosticating than a groundhog on the morning of February 2nd. Catch up on all of my Predictions posts here:

  • My bets for the names most likely to enter the US Top 100.
  • The boy names I’m guessing will break into the Top 1000.
  • And the girl names that might do the same.

Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that the Top Ten tend to be a pretty stable bunch – and the Top Five, even more so! Only a handful of names have ever climbed that high.

This means you won’t find Khaleesi in my predictions – at least not for the Top Ten! Instead, you’ll recognize every one of these names … and probably know at least a few kiddos called them already.

TOP TEN GIRL NAMES – CURRENT LIST

The current Top Ten for girl names looks like this:

    1. Emma
    2. Olivia
    3. Ava
    4. Isabella
    5. Sophia
    6. Mia
    7. Charlotte
    8. Amelia*
    9. Evelyn*
    10. Abigail

Amelia and Evelyn entered the Top Ten last year, replacing Emily and Harper. (As they say on Netflix, nailed it!)

PREDICTIONS FOR NEW TOP TEN GIRL NAMES

The new list is tough. In order for a new name to enter, a current name needs to vacate its spot. That means a name has to fall in use and another name has to gain enough to surpass one of the current Top Tens. In recent years, we’ve seen a different pattern: currently popular names are falling in terms of absolute births, but few names are rising in use dramatically enough to replace them.

That leads to curious outcomes. Emma fell in use from 2013 to 2014, in terms of percentage of total births – but still became the #1 name in the US.

There’s only one current Top Ten name that strikes me as truly vulnerable: Abigail. Here’s my prediction for the new Top Ten:

Emma – It’s falling in use, but nothing seems to be gaining dramatically enough to knock it out of place – yet.

Olivia – The story with Olivia sounds the same. I think it holds on to the #2 spot simply because we’re not quite ready to replace it.

Ava – Like the current #1 and #2 names, I expect #3 Ava to hold onto that spot when we see the new popularity list.

Amelia – A leap from #8 to #4 would be massive. And yet, Amelia seems to have plenty of momentum. It shares Olivia’s chart-topping style. One factor that argues against Amelia’s rise? The strong gains in popularity of similar-but-not-the-same Emilia.

Evelyn – A tailored name with that great middle ‘v’ sound shared by current Top Five names Ava and Olivia, Evelyn could continue to climb quickly.

Charlotte – I’m betting that Charlotte might gain slightly in the rankings. Why? Nonstop coverage of the British royal family keeps this name in front of parents – even American parents – in a (mostly) favorable light.

Isabella – I might have Isabella knocked too far down the rankings. Parents love this long and storied name. And yet, it’s been on top for ages, and I’m hearing plenty of parents avoid it because it’s just too, too familiar.

Sophia – Same story as Isabella. If Sophia falls, it’s just the what-goes-up-must-come-down rule in operation.

Mia – Another great English-Spanish crossover name like Isabella, and a mini name in the key of Ava, it’s easy to see the appeal of Mia. But after so many years, I think Mia is finally starting to lose favor with current parents.

Victoria – If Abigail is exiting stage left, what name will replace it? Camila spoke to me. Except I think Victoria has the greater chance. It’s tough to miss it when traditional names trend. But consider this: it’s another English-Spanish crossover, a feminine name rich with strength, and we’ve all been watching Jenna Coleman as a young queen on Victoria, shown on Masterpiece Theater in the US. Downton Abbey boosted plenty of names. This series could easily do the same. Plus, it’s one of those great long names, like Isabella, that comes with plenty of great nicknames, but begs to be used in full, too.

A random thought: remember a few years ago, when Princess Charlotte was born just days before the new US data was released … and Charlotte had entered the US Top Ten? We could have a repeat of that coincidence, with Meghan and Harry’s child due any day now, and Victoria a favorite among bookies if Baby Sussex is a girl.

TOP TEN BOY NAMES – CURRENT LIST

Moving on to the gentlemen, here’s the current list of most popular boy names in the US:

  1. Liam
  2. Noah
  3. William
  4. James
  5. Logan*
  6. Benjamin
  7. Mason
  8. Elijah
  9. Oliver*
  10. Jacob

Oliver and Logan replaced Ethan and Michael last year. I called Oliver, but Logan took me by surprise!

PREDICTIONS FOR NEW TOP TEN BOY NAMES

Wild card Logan soared into last year’s Top Ten on the strength of two blockbuster movies, both with the name in the title. While Logan had been popular for ages, suddenly it was everywhere and then some.

I doubt that kind of momentum can be sustained. Mason is also slowing down, and Jacob continues to fall. (Don’t mishear that as “no one is naming their kids Mason or Jacob these days … I expect both names to remain steadily popular for years to come.)

Still, I think both could tumble out of the Top Ten – but Mason seems slightly more vulnerable. As for newcomers, Henry and Wyatt both have some good momentum. But Lucas strikes me as the strongest candidate.

Liam – Liam overtook Noah for the top spot in the US last year. I think it will likely hold on in this year’s data.

James – This classic name feels quite current today – though a baby James is more likely to use the name in full, rather than Jimmy or Jamie. Despite worries that parents are borrowing it for girls – and they are, especially as a middle – I think it could be the new go-to classic for boys.

Noah – I’m hearing Noah less these days, but never bet on a former #1 to fall too fast.

William – I’m guessing James will eclipse William as the most popular classic boy name … but not by much.

Benjamin – A longer boy name with classic appeal, Benjamin is the new Alexander.

Oliver – Or maybe Oliver is the new Alexander? It’s one of the few names in the boys’ Top Ten that strikes me as really climbing.

Elijah – I think Elijah has just enough momentum to move up the rankings a bit.

Logan – Last year’s Logan spike strikes me as a fluke. My take? It’s a modern staple, but not a future #1 name.

Jacob – This former #1 name remains in heavy use, but Benjamin + Oliver have more appeal today.

Lucas – My bet for the newest member of the US Top Ten, a Biblical classic that feels just a little bit different today.

I ruled out Henry and Wyatt because while they’re both climbing, they’d have to really surge in use – eight spots for Henry, and fifteen for Wyatt. Of course, Henry is wildly popular in several states, ranking in multiple Top Tens already. So maybe in the near future … but not this time.

Are there others names you think will reach the US Top Ten?

Predictions 2019: Top Ten Girl NamesPredictions 2019: Top Ten Boy Names

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

3 Comments

  1. I always find it interesting how many of the current top ten names I never meet on an actual child. I know a few Emmas, half a dozen Evelyns, and two Sophias. But none of the other girls. I know one or two of most of the boy names, but nothing close to the frequency of “Matt”, “Mike”, or “Jonathan” among my own age group of mid-80’s babies. (And Jon wasn’t even a top 10!)

    There really is a lot of truth to the idea that “top 10” names are declining in use overall, as the pool of names keeps getting bigger.

  2. For girls I think Mia and Abigail are likely to drop – they’ve been loosing steam lately.

    1. Olivia (I think it’s finally Olivia’s year)
    2. Emma (Down but not out)
    3. Amelia
    4. Sophia
    5. Charlotte
    6. Isabella
    7. Ava
    8. Evelyn
    9. Harper
    10. Avery (This was pick for last year and it feels right again now).

    Wild cards – Elizabeth , Aria , Ella , Grace and Chloe

    For boys I think we’re going to see some massive shakeups. I’m predicting Mason , Jacob and potentially Benjamin are out.

    1. Liam
    2. William
    3. Oliver
    4. James
    5. Noah
    6. Logan
    7. Henry (I know you think it’s too early but I don’t. I’ve heard of so many Henrys lately that a big rise feels clear and I feel like 8 is not a lot of places to rise here).
    8. Benjamin
    9. Samuel
    10. Sebastian

    Wildcards – Carter , Wyatt , Owen , Luke , Grayson

  3. Where do I suggest a name? I’d like to suggest a name I saw it on some Irish tv show on Netflix and have been wondering about the name since then. It’s Avelaine.