Most Popular Names 2015With the new year just hours away, let’s take a look back at the name posts that were most read in 2015.

A few disclaimers:

  • While the Nameberry and BabyNames.com popularity charts often indicate trends, the names that chart here at Appellation Mountain are a quirkier set. Often that’s because the names are obscure, and this is one of the few places with a real write-up on the name.
  • Also, because this is a collection of posts, not a database, many of the names were first written about in 2015. Logic dictates that a name posted in January 2015 might be better-viewed than one posted in November 2015.
  • I struggle with what’s a unisex name and what’s meant for girls or boys. It’s more gut feeling that hard numbers.
  • Lastly, plenty of these posts were originally written way back in 2011 or even 2008. The longer the history of the post, the better the chance that it will make this list, especially if it was updated in 2015.

That said, I do think many of these names are likely to rise in 2016. Because while readers of Appellation Mountain have eclectic taste, you’ve also got great style, and a feel for what’s likely to catch on in the future.

And now … on to the names!

  1. LeoMost Popular Boy Names 2015
  2. Koa
  3. Soren
  4. Huxley
  5. Atlas
  6. Everett
  7. Sullivan
  8. Beckett
  9. Elliot
  10. Rafferty
  11. Shepherd
  12. Caius
  13. Finn
  14. Wolf
  15. Emrys
  16. Wilder
  17. Reid
  18. Theodore
  19. Grady
  20. Fox
  21. Hartley
  22. Jude
  23. Cael
  24. Maverick
  25. Cove
  26. Ari
  27. Otto
  28. Atticus
  29. Eamon
  30. Asher
  31. Cillian
  32. Crew
  33. Grant
  34. Zev
  35. Caspian
  36. Ezra
  37. Calder
  38. Thatcher
  39. Etienne
  40. Rhys
  41. Ayrton
  42. Gray
  43. Matteo
  44. Ransom
  45. August
  46. Bode
  47. Ronan
  48. Griffin
  49. Ansel
  50. Valen
  1. Lena2015Girls
  2. Elodie
  3. Selah
  4. Wren
  5. Marigold
  6. Esme
  7. Pluma
  8. Nadia
  9. Elowen
  10. Cora
  11. Sylvie
  12. Maisie
  13. Phryne
  14. Mira
  15. Aveline
  16. Clementine
  17. Lila
  18. Sloane
  19. Tallulah
  20. Soraya
  21. Zosia
  22. Iris
  23. Maeve
  24. Noa
  25. Margot
  26. Genevieve
  27. Bindi
  28. Eloise
  29. Nori
  30. Magnolia
  31. Vesper
  32. Eowyn
  33. Coco
  34. Luella
  35. Avonlea
  36. Lorelei
  37. Sylvia
  38. Susannah
  39. Ellia
  40. Aya
  41. Emmeline
  42. Oona
  43. Marlo
  44. Fae
  45. Sabine
  46. Isla
  47. Tess
  48. Violet
  49. Felicity
  50. Nora
  1. Rumi
  2. Lael
  3. Meridian
  4. Nico
  5. Roux
  6. Aven
  7. Indigo
  8. Rowan
  9. Indie
  10. Arden

The Top 16 boy and girl names will move on to compete in this year’s March Madness tournament, which kicks off on March 5, 2016. There are just three exceptions: on the boys’ side, Finn and Everett are past winners. Cora is also a past winner of March Madness. In 2015, we decided that once a name has won, it is retired from competition forevermore.

So Lila will compete in the girls’ tournament, and Reid and Theodore for the boys. I simply cannot wait! March tends to be a cold and dreary time of the year in Maryland, and I love having this massive, month-long name game to count down the weeks until spring!

Did any of your favorites make the lists?

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.

Read More About Me

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4 Comments

  1. I feel like half the views of Elowen must be from me–we had our second daughter this year and I was incredibly indecisive. We eventually welcomed Elowen Cordelia Snow. So thank you! You’ve actually helped name 3 of our 5 babies without even realizing it!

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