Popular Girl Names: What’s Next for the US Top 1000?

Dust off that crystal ball! Let’s guess the future Top 1000 baby girl names.

When it comes to popularity, there’s a sharp divide.

A name either ranks in the US Top 1000 most popular baby names, as reported annually by the US Social Security Administration, or (obviously) it does not.

We tend to focus our energy on the baby names at the tippy-top of the charts. Olivia and Amelia and Charlotte, the most popular baby girl names of our moment.

But the really interesting part is often what happens on the fringes.

Because once a name debuts in – or returns to – the US Top 1000, it’s often the beginning of a slow, steady climb … that might lead to the Top Ten in another two dozen years or so.

Or not.

Nevertheless, in order for parents to consider a name, they have to hear it. Inspiration can come from so many places, of course – television shows, popular songs, athletes and other public figures. But sometimes names just catch on thanks to style and sound, working their way into the rankings.

And names that crack the US Top 1000 are more likely to be heard.

So these are my guesses for future Top 1000 girl names. I’m looking for names like Layla and Nova, Freya and Juniper. Once-rare possibilities that now feel right at home on nearly any playground.

FUTURE TOP 1000 GIRL NAMES

Some of these are appearing on the future Top 1000 girl names for the very first time. Others are making an encore appearance.

ELENI (repeat from last year’s list)

Elena ranks in the US Top 100, and has since 2016. Plenty of other spellings of this name rank, too: Elaina, Alaina, Alayna. Alina, Elina and Alena, plus Eliana, again with multiple spellings, are only a little different. Eleni is the modern Greek form of Helen. That makes it accessible. Though, of course, we’re in the era of Greek mythology names. If Athena and Persephone are popular, then Eleni isn’t a stretch. And we are wild about El- names, with Elodie, Elowyn, Elodie, Eloise, Elora, Elisa, and Elsie all gaining in use. Eleni might appeal to parents looking for an update to names like Avery and Wrenlee, Eliza, Natalie, and Chloe, too – a very broad range of styles.

GEORGIE (repeat from last year’s list)

Georgia is a fast-rising favorite, part-classic choice and part-place name. Now Georgina ranks in the US Top 1000, too, and Georgie fits right in, a little like Julie and Julia from another generation. But more than our love of feminine forms of George, it’s worth noting that several feminine forms of baby boy names have become rising favorites of late. Some are gender-neutral names, like Charlie. Others might be called gender neutral, but truly are used in significantly bigger numbers for girls, like Stevie and Frankie. Scottie debuted in the girls’ Top 1000 recently, so Georgie? Feels inevitable.

HONEY (repeat from last year’s list)

As a generation of children answering to word names like Ivy and Aria grows up, a name like Honey doesn’t sound so outlandish. It’s been a Top 200 pick in England & Wales in recent years, and British celebs like Jamie Oliver and Kate Winslet famously chose the name for their daughters. It’s quadrupled in use in the US since 2017. That’s well after reality sensation Here Comes Honey Boo Boo left television – another reason to think the name’s rise isn’t a pop culture fluke.

LAVENDER (new to this year’s list)

One of the biggest baby name trends of recent generations? Nature names. Also: the letter V in the middle (think Olivia, Ava, Evelyn) and R-ending favorites (hello Harper and Piper and River, which is all of the above). With Violet firmly established in the US Top 1000, Lavender is an obvious successor.

LENI (new to this year’s list)

This is the second boyish nickname-name to make this year’s list. Sort of. It looks like a spare take on Lenny, from Leonard. That would put it in the same category as Charlie and Billie. Except Leni is also short for Magdalene (ultimately of Hebrew origin), Helene (of Greek origin), or Eleanor (from an older French name). Heidi Klum gave the name to her firstborn over twenty years ago. Leni Klum has appeared in the spotlight as a model, too, raising the name’s profile.

MAVEN (repeat from last year’s list)

Word names have gone from out-there picks to perfectly ordinary choices. File Maven midway between modern nature names like Meadow and old school virtue choices like Grace. Plus, it shares the middle V and appealing sound of fellow word name Haven, a choice that continues to rise. And speaking of rising, Irish origin Maeve and Margaret nickname Maisie are fast-rising favorites. There’s room for another May name. Lastly, Maven isn’t a common surname or place name, but we’re used to girls’ names like Emberlynn and London, Harper and Peyton. Maven sounds right at home.

ROMY (repeat from last year’s list)

Remy and Remi have become twenty-first century staples with gender neutral appeal. Romy, originally a nickname for Rosemary and Rosemarie, sounds like a logical successor. It’s a little bit Ruby, a little bit Reagan, and an R name that has double in use over the last five years. Romy also feels ever so slightly European, thanks to German-French screen legend Romy Schneider. The Prix Romy Schneider is presented annually to an up-and-coming French actress. In 2025, Romy reads a little like a feminine form of the very-popular Roman and Rome, as well as a successor to the unisex Remy.

SALOME (new to this year’s list)

Ultimately from the Hebrew word shalom, meaning peace, Salome has a great meaning. The pronunciation is more straightforward in our age of Esme: sal oh may. It’s associated with a scandalous Biblical character, a princess known for demanding the head of John the Baptist. There’s a real historical figure who matches up to this Salome, as well as others in the ancient world and mentioned in the Bible. If Delilah can rank in the US Top 100, then Salome has potential, too.

SHEA (new to this year’s list)

Originally an Irish boy’s name and surname, Shea has ranked in the US Top 1000 for boys and girls previously. It’s strongly assocaited with New York’s historic Shea Stadium. It’s sometimes mixed up with a Hebrew name meaning gift, too, particularly when spelled Shay. The name had a good run from the 1970s into the early 2000s, but never reached even the Top 500 in the US. Today it could benefit from the shared sound with Charlotte, as well as a bright, vowel ending. Like fellow Irish origin name Maeve, it’s accessible in English. But it’s also a unisex possibility, one that fits nicely with rising choices from last year’s list, like Indy and Emryn.

SUNDAY (repeat from last year’s list)

If names that point to the sun are having a moment, then Sunday has potential. Nicole Kidman named her daughter Sunday way back in 2008, inspired by an Australian patron of the arts. Mike Myers chose the same name in 2014. Nickname Sunny is a plus, and several influencers have recently mentioned – or used – the name, too. It might be a reference to the seventh day of the week, traditionally reserved for worship. That makes it a slightly less obvious Christian choice than Angel or Heaven. While it’s a stretch for Sunday to reach the US Top 1000 based on current numbers, it’s worth noting that the name has more than quadrupled in use in less than a decade. The mix of word name, possible allusions to sunshine and/or spirituality, and the sense that it’s just a little different could be the perfect mix.

TILLY (repeat from last year’s list)

Tilly works for many of the reasons Dolly makes this list. It’s casual and breezy, but with plenty of history, too. Most Tillys are probably short for a longer name, like Matilda. Though it might work for anything with a strong T and L sound. Natalia, maybe? Tilly recently left England’s Top 100, but in the US, it’s been climbing steadily over the last decade or more. As for the spelling, Tilly-with-a-Y might be more familiar thanks to the chain store located in many suburban shopping malls. Originally named The World of Jeans and Tops, it was re-named Tillys after co-founder Tilly Levine. If combined with Tillie, this name would already be on the charts.

WEDNESDAY (repeat from last year’s list)

It’s not as if Wednesday Addams is a new character. But Netflix’s recent series Wednesday puts the eldest Addams child front and center, detailing her life at Nevermore Academy. We learn more about Morticia and Gomez, and Wedesnday, too, of course. Played to perfection by Jenna Ortega, it’s easy to fall in love with her character – and her name. While inspiration probably came from the old nursery rhyme – “Wedensday’s child is full of woe” – the character is intelligent, loyal, and capable – if, yes, a little dark. The numbers don’t quite add up for Wednesday to make the US Top 1000 just yet, but the potential is there.

LAST YEAR’S PREDICTIONS

How did the last round of prognostication go? Let’s take a look …

AURA (debuted at #960 as of 2023)

We love Aurora, a night sky name currently ranked in the US Top 50. Aura is a little different. Also Latin by way of Greek, Aura comes from a word meaning breeze. But we associate it with a kind of energy. An aura is almost a vibe, except some people say they can see them – and those auras indicate another person’s state of being. That makes this name spiritual, not so different from Bodhi or Eden. One drawback: it’s also a medical term, referring to the phenomenon signalling that a migraine is about to start. Still, in our age of Luna and Ava, Maya and Ayla, Emma and Cora, Aura works.

BETTY (unranked)

Yes, I’ve been betting on Betty for ages. After all, Betty White was the nation’s grandmother, and we still mourn her 2021 passing. Since we lost her at the very end of 2021, it’s possible that 2022 was a little too soon to see an impact on the name’s popularity. But also: Taylor Swift worked the Blake Lively-Ryan Reynolds’ girls names – at least their first three – into her lyrics for a recent(ish) album. Swift released “Betty” on Folklore in 2020, and she’s only gotten more famous since then. Millions scored tickets to see The Eras Tour, and millions more watched the movie version in theaters. Plus, Riverdale gave us Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper. And it fits! Billie is back. So why not Betty? One possible hitch: classic, royal Elizabeth might be nicknamed Betty, without causing Betty itself to rise in use.

DOLLY (unranked)

If Betty White’s name makes this list, then surely Dolly Parton ought to put her vintage nickname name on the list, too. Ms. Parton’s given name is Dolly, but it’s traditionally short for Dorothy – a classic favorite on the upswing. Millie and Molly, Lily and Ellie are all popular names with a middle L sound and an EE ending. Darling Dolly belongs. Of course, it’s among the cutest – maybe even cutesiest – of the nickname names. In an earlier generation, that might’ve given parents pause. But those casual choices are favorites now. And Parton’s powerhouse status makes it easier than ever to take Dolly seriously.

ELENI (unranked)

Eleni rose in use in 2023, reaching an all-time high of 214 births. That puts it even closer to the Top 1000 mark, which is why it’s still on this year’s list.

ESMAE (unranked)

Typically, a respelling of name doesn’t make it on to thie list. But somehow Esmae feels like more than just a reboot of Esme. Why? First, strictly speaking, the original is spelled Esmé, with the diacritical mark clarifying pronunciation. But American English doesn’t use those signifiers and we’re so used to names like Penelope and Zoe that we’re quite likely to pronounce this one EsMEE. Esmae simples that up. Another factor: Esme ranks solidly in the England & Wales Top 100, while Esmae waits just beyond. While Americans don’t always follow the British lead, it’s something to consider.

GEORGIE (unranked)

Given to 138 girls in 2023, Georgie still has a ways to go before it enters the US Top 1000 for girls. (According to the official SSA data in 2023, that number was 254 births. But with names like Lainey and Millie on the fastest-rising girl names list, as well as Georgia? There’s potential here.

HARRIET (unranked)

Not so long ago, we dismissed names like Evelyn, Eleanor, and Hazel as horribly old-fashioned. Sophia? She was the oldest of The Golden Girls. But we are forever rediscovering vintage gems. And Harriet is one that feels overdue for revival. Nicknames Hattie and Hallie are already rocketing up the popularity charts. With names like Charlotte and Juliet in favor, and classic Margaret on the rise, Harriet’s comeback is surely imminent. It returned to the US rankings briefly in 2019 – for the first time since 1970 – but left again in 2020. Still, with Abigail falling, it feels like there’s a space for a buttoned-up formal name with sparky short forms. Harriet could play that role beautifully.

HONEY (unranked)

An Old English word name, Honey has crossed the 200-births threshold in the US, with 205 births in 2023.

IDA (unranked)

Ava and Mia are long-time Top Ten picks in the US. Isla and Mila have been recent favorites. Ida marries those mini names and the “eye” sound with a more vintage energy. It’s easy to imagine Ida as a sister for Frances or Ruth. There’s something substantial about Ida, even though it’s quite brief. A Top Ten favorite in the nineteenth century and a Top 100 pick until the 1930s, the 100 Year Rule suggests that Ida is more than ready for a comeback.

LOIS (unranked)

Influencer Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm fame has made life in rural Utah look impossibly wholesome and stylish. She and husband Daniel have also welcomed eight beautifully named children. The boys are Henry, Charles, and George; and the girls are Frances, Lois, Martha, Mabel, and baby Flora Jo. There’s no question that Martha and Mabel are gaining in use, possibly with some credit to Hannah. Or maybe, as with her gorgeously curated social media presence, she might just have a knack for tapping into current trends. While on paper Lois is stuck in style limbo, I think it’s still worth watching, a borrowed-from-the Bible name might substitute for popular picks like Lydia or conventional classics like Sarah.

MAVEN (unranked)

A May name with modern virtue energy, Maven blends the sounds of Maisie and Ava and Haven. It reached an all-time high of 155 births in 2023, and shows no signs of slowing down.

ROMY (unranked)

Romy rose to 179 births in 2023. With Roman and Rome popular for boys, and Rosemary trending for girls, Romy fits. It’s a replacement for French origin Remy, too.

RUE (unranked)

It’s a mini name and a nature name, two qualities that might pique parents’ interest on their own. Another factor: Rue is an appealing character in The Hunger Games, a YA sci fi series back in the spotlight thanks to prequel movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. And, of course, Zendaya plays Ruby “Rue” Bennett on Euphoria, a critically acclaimed series and a role for which she has won an Emmy. Rue falls midway between serious Ruth and sparkly Ruby, as brief as Jade or Sloane, and feels like something more than just an appealing sound.

SOLANA (debuted at #934 as of 2023)

Solano is a Spanish surname meaning “a place in the sun.” St. Francis Solanus – or Francisco Solano – served as a missionary to South America at the turn of the seventeenth century. Solana is the logical feminine form; both names are sometimes given in his honor. But Solana’s inclusion on this list isn’t about religion. Instead, several of the most popular names combine romance language roots with the word Sol – sun in Spanish. Sol, Soleil, and Marisol are all rising in use at the moment. Solana feels nicely feminine, too, a little more like Sierra or Cecilia – or possibly even a Spanish classic like Catalina – than a modern nature name.

SUNDAY (unranked)

With 178 births in 2023, Sunday is on the upswing. Calendar names are the new nature names.

TALLULAH (debuted at #817 as of 2023)

Long names like Isabella, Gabriella, and Savannah have been Top 100 favorites for years. Factor in our love of Lu- names (Luna, Lucy, Lucia) and the appeal of names with strong L sounds (Ella, Lyla), and Tallulah checks a lot of boxes. But despite celebrity birth announcements and vintage Hollywood charm, this name has yet to catch on. That could be changing – the numbers put Tallulah right outside of the current US Top 1000.

TILLY (unranked)

On paper, Tilly dropped in 2023. It dipped from 249 births in 2022 to 241 in the last data set. Except Tillie rose from 156 births to 176 births in the same time period. I’m guessing we’re all torn: is this name spelled more like Molly or Millie, Hallie or Lily?

WEDNESDAY (unranked)

This name reached an all-time high in 2023, with 152 births. Wednesday Addams gets much of the credit, but it’s not the only factor this name remains one to watch.

WINIFRED (debuted at #967 as of 2023)

Another vintage name due for a comeback, Winifred nickname Winnie returned to the rankings four years ago. It’s a big, substantial name, the kind of choice we associate with 1800s-era heiresses and sufragettes. Think Adelaide or Emmeline, but even less expected. But that’s exactly the point. After peaking in the 1910s and leaving the rankings entirely during the 1960s, Winifred has had a long rest and is ready for a comeback.

WINRY (unranked)

File this manga name somewhere between Emery and Winifred, sound-wise. Winry Rockbell is a character in Full Metal Alchemist, a teenage mechanic who helps two brothers on their quest. The name’s origins aren’t explained, but it sounds like a name – a little bit like Marie/Mary/Maria, and a lot like Winnie, too. As the story – and associated adaptations, including a video game – has caught on in the US, so has the name.

PAST PREDICTIONS

Here are the girls’ names I’ve previously predicted would enter the rankings – and their current standing:

• AGNES
• AMAL
• ANDIE (ranks #883 as of the 2023 data)
• ANNABETH
• ANNELIESE
• ANTONELLA (ranks #287 as of the 2023 data)
• ARAYA (ranks #993 as of the 2023 data)
• AUGUST (ranks #913 as of the 2023 data)
• BEATRIX
• BELLAMY (ranks #828 as of the 2023 data)
• BERNADETTE
• BETTY
• BILLIE (ranks #865 as of the 2023 data)
• BIRDIE (ranks #701 as of the 2023 data)
• BRIAR (ranks #550 as of the 2023 data)
• CLEMENTINE (ranks #543 as of the 2023 data)
• CLEO (ranks #608 as of the 2023 data)
• CLOVER (ranks #675 as of the 2023 data)
• DELIA
• EGYPT
• EISLEY
• ELLERY 
• ELODIE (ranks #738 as of the 2023 data)
• ELOWYN (ranks #693 as of the 2023 data)
• EMERALD (ranks #744 as of the 2023 data)
• EMILIANA (ranks #955 as of the 2023 data)
• FLORA (ranks #684 as of the 2023 data)
• FLORENCE (ranks #521 as of the 2023 data)
• FRANKIE (ranks #538 as of the 2023 data)
• GOLDIE (ranks #685 as of the 2023 data)
• HARRIET
• INDIE (ranks #579 as of the 2023 data)
• INAYA (ranks #736 as of the 2023 data)
• JOVIE (ranks #588 as of the 2023 data)
• KENSINGTON
• LAKELYN (ranked #929 as of the 2023 data)
• LAKELYNN (ranked #778 as of the 2023 data)
• LANDRY 
• LOTTIE (ranks #775 as of the 2023 data)
• LOUISE (ranks #586 as of the 2023 data)
• LOVE (ranks #734 as of the 2023 data)
• LUELLA (ranks #930 as of the 2023 data)
• MARIGOLD (ranks #714 as of the 2023 data)
• MARLOWE (ranks #836 as of the 2023 data)
• MAVIS (ranks #595 as of the 2023 data)
• MAXINE (ranks #513 as of the 2023 data)
• MAYLEE
• NAIROBI
• NOA (ranks #298 as of the 2023 data)
• OCEAN (ranks #826 as of the 2023 data)
• OCTAVIA (ranks #279 as of the 2023 data)
• OPAL (ranks #488 as of the 2023 data)
• OPHELIA (ranks #267 as of the 2023 data)
• PALMER (ranks #277 as of the 2023 data)
• PEPPER
• PERSEPHONE (ranks #745 as of the 2023 data)
• POPPY (ranks #289 as of the 2023 data)
• PROMISE (ranks #716 as of the 2023 data)
• RAE
• RAMONA (ranks #795 as of the 2023 data)
• RIPLEY
• SALEM (ranks #420 as of the 2023 data)
• SAPPHIRE (ranks #973 as of the 2023 data)
• SCOUT (ranks #821 as of the 2023 data)
• SERAPHINA (ranks #974 as of the 2023 data)
• SYLVIE (ranks #425 as of the 2023 data) 
• TALLULAH (ranks #817 as of 2023 data)
• TRUE (did not rank, but Tru ranks #966 for girls as of 2023 data)
• WENDY
• WINNIE (ranks #612 as of the 2023 data)
• ZELDA (ranks #705 as of the 2023 data)
• ZORA (ranks #863 as of the 2023 data)

What do you think will be the future top 1000 girl names?