Every year, we talk about the fastest rising girl names. But we usually mean the names that gained the most in terms of rank. Which name leapt from #755 to #373? (It’s Haisley. More about that name later in this post.)
Make no mistake, it’s fascinating to look at names new to the Top Ten or 100. And, of course, the Top 1000 generates tons of buzz, too.
But this list is about something slightly different – and every bit as significant.
These are the fastest rising girl names in terms of actual births. And that might be an even better measure of which names are truly white hot right now.
The list ranges from trendy inventions to classics on their way back to the top, with absolutely everything in between.
FASTEST RISING GIRL NAMES
#25 OAKLEY (+218; unranked on last year’s list)
Part-surname name, part-nature inspired choice, Oakley follows choices like Willow and Hadley straight up the list.
#24 KAILANI (+218; unranked on last year’s list)
Hawaiian and Hawaiian-flavored -lani ending names have been a big trendlet in recent years. Kailani is part of the club.
#23 MILANI (+220; unranked on last year’s list)
Another -lani name, Milani owes something to Melanie’s recent revival, too.
#22 ALAYAH (+224; +23 on last year’s list)
Another spin on fast-rising favorite Alaia.
#21 NOVAH (+225; unranked on last year’s list)
With Nova near the top of this list, Novah follows right along.
#20 LILITH (+226 births; unranked on last year’s list)
Most Lily names have fallen slightly in recent years, but Lilith climbed. In a year that saw Mazikeen enter the US Top 1000, that’s probably down to the character’s appearance on Netflix series Lucifer.
#19 ALANI (+231 births; unranked on last year’s list)
It’s the year of the -lani names, no doubt.
#18 DELILAH (+241 births; unranked on last year’s list)
A lovely, romantic-sounding name, Delilah was boosted by a hit pop single in 2006. The success of so many Lyla and Layla names helps, too.
#17 KINSLEY (+244 births; unranked on last year’s list)
A surname name, Kinsley follows Kennedy and similar choices up the popularity list.
#16 AYLA (+267 births; unranked on last year’s list)
A name with multiple origins and meanings, Ayla succeeds Kayla and picks up on the same sounds as Alaia and other fast-rising names on this list.
#15 CAMILA (+269 births; #22 on last year’s list and in the Top 25 for two years prior)
Camila continues to post steady gains, the latest English-Spanish crossover is boosted by celebrities like Camila Cabello and Camila Mendes.
#14 LENNON (+270; unranked on last year’s list)
After debuting in the US Top 1000 back in 2013, Lennon has continued to gain for girls, a mix of the musical and surname styles.
#13 MAGNOLIA (+275; unranked on last year’s list)
A lovely floral name, Magnolia is every bit as elaborate as favorites like Amelia, and shares that stylish -lia ending.
#12 AITANA (+313; unranked on last year’s list)
A favorite rising quickly with Spanish-speaking parents, Aitana comes from the name of a mountain range.
#11 REMI (+331; unranked on last year’s list)
A name with multiple origins and meanings, Remi has risen like a rocket.
#10 NATALIA (+332 births; unranked on last year’s list)
A classic name with plenty of appeal, Natalia is perfect for a daughter born at Christmastime – or any other season.
#9 MAEVE (+337 births; #21 on last year’s list)
A sharp and stylish Irish name, with a little boost from Thandiwe Newton’s Westworld character.
#8 ARIELLA (+374 births; unranked on last year’s list)
Another dramatic -ella name, one-part mermaid and one-part lion.
#7 KEHLANI (+387 births; #15 on last year’s list and #20 in the prior year)
A Kailani cousin, popularized by the singer Kehlani.
#6 OAKLYNN (+406 births; unranked on last year’s list)
Oaklynn feels more like a modern invented name than surname Oakley might, but they share many of the same qualities.
#5 HAISLEY (+451 births; unranked on last year’s list)
A synthetic surname, mixing Hailey with Paisley for a name that’s all 2021.
#4 ISLA (+500 births; #6 on last year’s list and in the Top 25 since 2017)
Long an obscure Scottish choice, actor Isla Fisher put this name on parents’ radar. It’s been white hot for years. Could Isla be headed to the Top Ten?
#3 NOVA (+635 births; unranked last year, but in the Top 25 in 2018 and 2017)
A Latin name meaning new, Nova follows Ava and other middle-V names into widespread popularity.
#2 ALAIA (+654 births; #1 on last year’s list of fastest rising girl names)
An irresistible modern sound with an equally upbeat meaning: joyful.
#1 GIANNA (+4,414 births; unranked in prior years)
A feminine form of John, Gianna soared to the top of this list following the tragic death of Gianna Bryant and her dad, Kobe.
Any favorites on this list?
