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Names that Peaked in 2012

  1. Kendall
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "valley of the river Kent"
    • Description:

      Originally an English surname, borrowed from the place name, Kendale, Kendall was given almost exclusively to boys until the 40s when it began to be used for a small number of girls each year. By the 80s, it was a gender-neutral choice, however, since the 1993 appearance of the character Kendall Hart in the soap opera All My Children, it has been leaning feminine.
  2. Romeo
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "pilgrim to Rome, Roman"
    • Description:

      It wasn't so long ago that Romeo was considered as outre for an American baby as Casanova or Cupid. But that really changed when David and Victoria Beckham chose it for their second son in 2002, a path followed by Jon Bon Jovi.
  3. Reagan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little king"
    • Description:

      A strong, straightforward Irish unisex surname, with a merry glint in its eye, Reagan has been leaping up the popularity lists, to become one of the top girl names starting with R. Some will inevitably link it to President Ronald, but spell it Regan and it's a Shakespearean name: a daughter of King Lear.
  4. Harper
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "harp player"
    • Description:

      Harper got its start as a celebrity baby name when Paul Simon chose it for his now-grown son. Since then, other famous parents have followed suit: musician Tim Finn and actor Cecilia Peck both have sons called Harper.
  5. Bentley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow with coarse grass"
    • Description:

      Bentley, a somewhat stuffy British surname, previously associated primarily with an incredibly expensive English car, has had a recent surge in popularity, thanks largely to the reality TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, with Bentley being the name of the son of breakout star Maci (another new favorite) Bookout.
  6. Channing
    • Origin:

      English or Irish
    • Meaning:

      "people of Cana or wolf cub"
    • Description:

      Channing is a sophisticated surname name whose use is probably linked to actor Channing Tatum and Channing Crowder, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.
  7. Temperance
    • Origin:

      Virtue name
    • Description:

      Not too long ago, Temperance was found only on lists of Puritan baby names.
  8. Alayna
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Alana or Elena
    • Meaning:

      "handsome, cheerful; bright shining light"
    • Description:

      Blending classic with contemporary elements, Alayna is considered a spin on the name Alana, which also draws inspiration from Elaine and Elena. An obscure choice until the 80s, it began to climb the charts after fencer Alayna Snell took part in the 1984 Olympics.
  9. Cambria
    • Origin:

      Place name, Latin from Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "Wales"
    • Description:

      Most names that start with Cam- are on the upswing, so why not this obscure term for Wales as well as for a prehistoric time period.
  10. Jagger
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "carter"
    • Description:

      Jagger is a swaggering Rolling Stone of a name that's been picked up by a number of fellow celebs, including Lindsay Davenport and Brett Scallions--while Soleil Moon Frye pulled a gender switch when she bestowed it on her daughter. It's edgy with a touch of danger.
  11. Giuliana
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Juliana
    • Meaning:

      "youthful"
    • Description:

      Italian names like Gianna, Giovanna, Ginevra, Giulia, and Giuliana are being used increasingly by trendy baby namers — whether they have Italian roots or not. The Gi standing in for the more conventional J at the beginning seems to automatically make a name more appealing to some, perhaps because it gets you to nickname Gigi.
  12. Camilo
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "young ceremonial attendant"
    • Description:

      The increasing popularity of Camila may have pushed this underrated Spanish name into the Top 1000 — though it remains far less popular than its feminine counterpart. A perfect familiar-but-rare choice.
  13. Aubrie
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Aubrey
    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler"
    • Description:

      An alternative spelling to the highly popular Aubrey that entered the US Top 1000 back in 2001 and peaked in 2012 when it neared the Top 300. More recently, it has dropped out of the charts, with Aubrey and Aubree holding favor.
  14. Kinley
    • Origin:

      Scottish surname
    • Meaning:

      "fair hero"
    • Description:

      A Scottish surname name, more popular as the Presidential McKinley, meaning "son of the fair hero".
  15. Skyla
    • Origin:

      Variation of Dutch Schuyler
    • Meaning:

      "scholar"
    • Description:

      Skyla is the most feminine form of the Skylar / Sklyer trend - little Skyla will never be mistaken on paper for a boy.
  16. Maxim
    • Origin:

      French variation of Maximus
    • Meaning:

      "greatest"
    • Description:

      Although often connected to the men's magazine title, Maxim is a chic and powerful name for a little boy. It's proving moderately popular too, having been in the Top 1000 in the US since the year 2000.
  17. Yaretzi
    • Origin:

      Nahuatl, Aztec
    • Meaning:

      "you will always be loved"
    • Description:

      This unusual name from the Nahuatl or Aztec language has one of the best meanings around. It sprang onto the US popularity list in 2006 and made a brief appearance in the Top 300 before sliding down a bit. It's popular in Mexico and with US Americans of Latino or Hispanic heritage, hitting on two big girl name trends in those communities: Ya- beginnings and -i endings.
  18. Karis
    • Origin:

      English variation of Carys, Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      This much less popular variation draws more from Karin.
  19. Azaria
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Azariah
    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh has helped"
    • Description:

      A Biblical name with a modern feel, Azaria is a spelling variation of the Hebrew name, Azariah. Used as a masculine name in the Bible, this spelling is now more commonly used on girls.
  20. Graeme
    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of Graham
    • Meaning:

      "gravelly homestead"
    • Description:

      An interesting vowel combination lightens up Graham.

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