Welcome back to March Madness Baby Names 2025 Girls SemiFinals!

If you’re new here, let me explain: every March, we engage in a friendly competition. We take the sixteen wild, wonderful, most-viewed names at Appellation Mountain from the prior year, and set them up, bracket-style. Just like that other contest that happens every March …

The competition reveals just one girls’ champ and a single victor on the boys’ side, too.

For more details on past winners, and this year’s competition, check out the Opening Round.

Now let’s jump right in to the results from last week’s match-ups.

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MARCH MADNESS BABY NAMES 2025: RESULTS FROM THE QUARTERFINALS

The competition always get harder with every round. That’s the way it should be, right?

Alice handily beat Tallulah, earning just short of 70% of the total. This one surprised me just a little, because Tallulah has been such a favorite of name fans in recent years, and has been rising in the US Top 1000. But it’s hard to argue with sophisticated, storybook Alice.

With over 65% of the vote, Flora beat Saskia. This feels a little more predictable. After all, Flora is one of the Cora/Nora/Aurora names, an ecovintage choice we’re using in growing numbers. Saskia might be gorgeous, but it remains very rare.

Bright red Poppy earned over 71% against blue Azura. Again, the QuarterFinals tend to favor the more familiar names, a pattern that only accelerates as the contest goes on. Another intriguing fact: while color names are popular in general, it’s worth noting that red rules. Think of Ruby and Scarlett, Rowan and Rory. Poppy fits right in.

Calista sailed past Noa, raking in a little more than 70% for the win. This contest felt tougher to call. Mini name Noa is distinct from Noah, but we tend to see it as the same. Calista is the kind of name AM readers love, but it’s definitely on the rare side.

That sets us up nicely for the semifinals!

MARCH MADNESS BABY NAMES 2025: GIRLS SEMIFINALS

We’re down to just four names and two match-ups, and these are gonna be tough!

ALICE versus CALISTA

FLORA versus POPPY

THANKS FOR VOTING!

Polls remain open until Wednesday, March 26th. Check back on March 29th to see if your favorites advance – and, of course, to vote in the next round!

hands holding up a basketball; March Madness Baby Names 2025 Girls SemiFinals
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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.

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3 Comments

  1. Anyways, for the Classic Name Unusual Nicknames:

    Margaret nn Onyx / Tansy (Bc Margaret means Pearl / Daisy)

    Katherine nn Kizzy / Boone (Boone has the same meaning as Kathryn)

    Elizabeth nn Zola / Zubi

    Alexander nn Nash / Axel

    Julian nn Juno / Jem

    Christopher nn Kip / Tofe

    Reply

  2. I noticed in a Nameberry Name sage post, where a woman was having Name regret about Leila Rose, you mentioned Layla isn’t as classic as Katherine or Jane.

    Not true, this name is a certified Arabic / Muslim classic, and I get the feeling its MORE classic than Katherine OR Jane

    I’m just pointing this out, no offence meant

    Reply