America's Next Top Baby Names

What are America's next top baby names, the future favorites that nobody is using today?

A few generations ago, in 1980, names like Luna and Luca, Kennedy and Maverick were shuffling along at the bottom of the charts. Today, they’re among the most popular names USA, each ranking within the Top 100. That got us thinking — if some of the least common baby names of the 1980s are so trendy in the 2020s, a number of today’s lowest rankers are bound to be on top in generations to come.

We posed a challenge to our editorial team. Find ten names — five girls, five boys — given to around 20 or fewer babies in 2020 that could be America's next top baby names. The five of us independently combed the charts and nominated our picks for future chart-toppers.

There was more variation than anticipated, but four names were nominated more than once:

Ione

Nominated by Das and Pam

“Mythology is in and it’s not going anywhere. Ione is a strong name (just overlook the story). The Harry Potter fever generation is still having kids and if you look closely, “Ione” is a nod to the end of Hermione, another Greek name that parents are too shy to name their children with the strong Harry Potter association.” — Das

Fiora

Nominated by Emma and Clare

“At three syllables but only five letters, with a flowery meaning but a fiery (although still super-feminine) sound, it feels like a good ‘futureproof’ bet. No matter whether short or long names, soft or strong names, turn out to be the next vogue, Fiora slots comfortably into both camps and feels stylishly Italianate, but not culturally exclusive.” — Emma

Florian

Nominated by Das and Pam

“The incoming generation is more flexible on gender. In the same vein that girls were given boy names, I see future names dropping the stigma of boys having a feminine tie. Florian has the formality of Benjamin and William, but with an earthy nature undertone. If Gideon could do it, so will Florian.” — Das

Prairie

Nominated by Emma and Clare

“It’s got the cute sound and boho, nature vibe of trending names like Sylvie, Birdie and Indie. And the literary connection to Little House on the Prairie gives it the potential widespread cultural appeal of names like Harper, Atticus and Wilder. Almost everyone, even non-readers, knows and feels a personal connection to these childhood classics, and the literary background of these names gives them an extra shot of cultural cachet. The cottagecore aesthetic is only going to grow and get more adventurous in the coming years, and Prairie feels like a good contender to rise in terms of sound and general vibe.” — Emma

America's Next Top Girl Names

Cosima

"Cosima is such a rich international name and I love the meaning of order and beauty. Now that Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost have named their son Cosmo, Cosima will feel more accessible to American parents." — Pam

Dot

“Dot is a formidable standalone that is a fresh alternative to a growing trend of nicknames being full names.” — Das

Franklin

“Franklin has many of the same qualities that made Madison popular: a famous name with gravitas that's surprising on girls but with a plausible feminine sound. It’s an alternative way to get to Frankie.” — Clare

Iceland

“-land is the new -lynn. And Ice-, which is super fresh today, will still be an exciting, modern prefix decades from now. It’s cool, literally and figuratively.” — Sophie

Louie

“The boys will keep Louis, but this cutesy-er, more casual version will become the standard for girls.”  — Sophie

Lunarose

“With the current rise in sweeter, more nickname-y names for girls in the US, the British style of double names will gain traction across the pond.” — Emma

Maude

“We haven’t reached the tipping point yet, but after we tire of those liquid, vowel-heavy names, there will be a shift back to strong, clunky consonants, and Maude will be the star.” — Sophie

Mavi

“Mavi has that long A vowel and soft, sweet appeal, plus the trendy V and the I ending that is finally coming back into mainstream fashion after the boom of Loris and Teris in the 1960s sent it into style limbo for the past half century.” — Emma

Morgana

“The Greek myth associations are very strong, and Morgana is more feminine than the familiar Morgan.”  — Das

Pax

“After decades of Max and co. for baby boys, Pax will sound more original on girls.” — Sophie

Pixie

"I'm obsessed with Pixie. Such a cute, sprightly name with that stylish middle X." — Pam

Riviera

“Riviera is a romantic nature name, and an international one at that, which makes it all the more appealing.” — Sophie

Snow

"Cool, sleek, evocative, Snow is a nature name that also summons the attractive image of Jon Snow from Game of Thrones." — Pam

Vega

“Something about the combination of a short, bright, punchy sound and starry night sky imagery seems to really appeal to parents at the moment. Vega is a continuation of the trend started by Luna and Nova.” — Emma

Wanda

“With its witchy affiliations, offbeat classic Wanda will have its comeuppance.” — Das

Willoughby

“Like Remington and Ellery, it's an androgynous surname with a feminine-sounding start that could be a nickname.” — Clare

Xoe

“While alternate spellings should see a fallout in popularity, Xoe, “Zoh” or “Zo-ee,” hits a ‘90s generation vibe to the popular Zoey.” — Das

Vita

"Vita has the same popular 'life' meaning as Zoe and Vivian and also claims roots in the fashionable world of Virginia Woolf, via Vita Sackville-West." — Pam

Zita

“Parents will always be looking for fresh, simple, international names like Mila and Luna.” — Clare

America's Next Top Boy Names

Albie

“The US will fall for ‘cutesy’ nickname names for girls first, following the UK, but the boys will eventually follow. Albie is sweet but has a distinguished appeal as well.” — Emma

Barney

“The purple dinosaur gave Barney a bad reputation, but it’s such a classic name. Cute and posh, just like Archie.” — Das

Clement

"Clementine is back, clearing the way for her twin brother Clement, due for a revival after being off the Top 1000 since 1969." — Pam

Cyprian

“Following hot on the heels of Cassian and Caspian.” — Clare

Elim

“This Biblical place name marries spiritual symbolism for religious parents with a simple, soft yet solid sound which I think would appeal to non-religious parents too, reminiscent of Liam and Eli.” — Emma

Elysian

“As we see a shift toward gentler boy names, Elysian, with its mythological and spiritual connections, will rise to the top.” — Sophie

Hale

"Hale combines simplicity and strength, feels fresh yet has Early American roots." — Pam

Helix

“It has the potential to reach the height of Felix, but with some Helios vibes to back it up for a future generation.” — Das

Hermes

“With a luxe but classic charm, Hermes sends the message of better times to come.” — Das

Isidore

“The perfect alternative to Theodore, Isidore will appeal to parents from many backgrounds because it has a history of use among Jewish, Spanish, French, Italian, and Greek families.” — Sophie

Ivo

“Parents are going to like the concept of 'traveling light,' with a short, easily understood and translated international name for their child. Ivo is super stylish with its slim profile and a punchy V.” — Sophie

Jupiter

"I named a character in my novel The Possibility of You Jupiter and have been in love with the name ever since. The popularity of Juniper created the possibility of Jupiter." — Pam

Kanoa

“Kanoa has a strong, energetic, offbeat feel in a boy name, reflective of the general beachy, outdoorsy, alternative vibe which Hawaiian names tend to conjure up in the wider US.” — Emma

Merit

“The wordier Merit spelling will rise for boys in particular. It feels like exactly the sort of powerful, positive, aspirational modern virtue name that has potential to really catch on.” — Emma

Ned

"I've never understood why this vintage nickname isn't more popular. Ned is more than due for a comeback." — Pam

Oakes

“Oakley, Oaklyn and Oakland are hot, as are -s ending surnames. Oakes is just getting established.” — Clare

Oxford

“The nicknames will seal the deal — whether it’s the preppier, ultra-American Ford or the energetic Ox.” — Sophie

Rasmus

“It’s a successor to Magnus — strong and philosophical but more accessible and less geeky than Erasmus.” — Sophie

Ridger

“Occupational ending? Woodsy feel? Easy to spell and pronounce? Similar Bridger is rising steadily? Tick, tick, tick and tick.” — Clare

Roark

“Roark feels half wild and rugged, thanks to that “roar” sound, and half smart and restrained, thanks to the clipped K ending, similar to Clark and Kirk.” — Emma

Tennessee

“A successor both to state names Dakota and Indiana, and country music names like Nash and Knox.” — Clare

Vision

“So many uplifting, powerful, optionally-spiritual word names are rising. Vision looks promising.” — Clare

Wilbur

“Wilbur is ready to be picked up by the same parents who brought back Archer and Jasper. It has that Gatsby vibe that’s rearing to go.” — Das

Thanks to Nameberry editors Sophie Kihm, Emma Waterhouse, Clare Green, and Das Garcia for their contributions.

Check out our official predictions for Names of the Future.

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