Names that Peaked in 2013

  1. Tripp
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      The extra p makes Tripp more of a name and less of a Trip. Usually a nickname of a boy who's a third, but Tripp is sure to get more attention in its own right now as the name of Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol and Levi Johnston's son.
  2. Zander
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      On the rise as an independent name: Zander and Xander are both widely used can increasingly be found as characters in movies and on TV.
  3. Gwyneth
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "blessed, happy"
    • Description:

      Because of Gwyneth Paltrow, this has almost become a one-person name, but not in the prohibitive there's-only-one-Oprah sense. Also seen as Gwenyth and Gweneth, this mellifluous appellation is definitely becoming more and more appreciated by American parents-- enough to land it on this year's Top 1000.
  4. Serenity
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "peaceful"
    • Description:

      Peaceful, calm, and untroubled: these are qualities parents may be hoping for, either on their parenting journey or in their child’s life. The name Serenity encapsulates these hopes, conjuring up a sense of balance, composure, and ease.
  5. Genesis
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      GENESIS With the sounds of Jennifer and Alexis, and the vibes of Eden and Serenity, Genesis is a Biblical inspired choice that has been popular in the US since the 2000’s.
  6. Kaiden
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kaden, modern invented name
    • Description:

      This version of Kaden is also a popular choice and one of the many boys' names starting with k that can also start with a C, as in Caiden, Cayden et al.. Kaiden Alenko is a character in the video game Mass Effect.
  7. Carmelo
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian from Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "garden"
    • Description:

      Carmelo is a well-used Hispanic name associated with Mt. Carmel, home of the prophet Elijah and the location of the convent for the order of Carmelites. Carmelo is also a saint's name and — in modern times — tied to basketball player Carmelo Anthony.
  8. London
    • Origin:

      English place-name
    • Description:

      The capital of the United Kingdom makes a solid and attractive twenty-first-century choice, with a lot more substance than Paris. It's in the unisex column, with both girls and boys given the name in recent years.
  9. Lyric
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "lyre"
    • Description:

      A musical name that's more popular for girls, but has been hovering just inside the Top 1000 for boys since 2007.
  10. Milan
    • Origin:

      Italian place name or Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "gracious, dear"
    • Description:

      In many Slavic and other European countries, Milan is purely a boys’ name, but in the US, it's also popular for girls – no doubt inspired by the fashionable Italian city. It entered the Top 1000 for boys in 2013, while for girls it has been in the Top 1000 since 2009.
  11. Kendrick
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "royal ruler, champion"
    • Description:

      Punchy surname name that found some favor in the last couple of decades—potentially due to rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was one of the quickest rising boy names in 2013 when it reached its high point at #318.
  12. Lilliana
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lillian or Liliana
    • Meaning:

      "lily, a flower"
    • Description:

      While Lillian is the English version of this elaborated flower name and Liliana is the authentic Spanish and Portuguese spelling, Lilliana is a familiar and perfectly usable option in the US.
  13. Yael
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "ibex"
    • Description:

      A common unisex name in Israel, more properly written as Ya'el, Yael rose more than 200 places in 2023 to become one of the fastest-rising boys' names of the year in the US.
  14. Ryland
    • Origin:

      Old English
    • Meaning:

      "place where Rye is grown"
    • Description:

      This name, similar to Ryan and Rylan, dropped out of the Top 500 in 2016 after a six year stint in it. It's the full birth name of legendary musician Ry Cooder.
  15. Scarlet
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Description:

      The Scarlet spelling makes it less a name, less Gone With The Wind and Scarlett Johansson, and more the bright red color that inspired it in the first place.
  16. Brantley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "sword, fiery torch"
    • Description:

      Brantley is one of several English surnames that was new to the tops in 2009. A possible-probable inspiration is the country rock singer Brantley Gilbert.
  17. Mustafa
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "the chosen one"
    • Description:

      Mustafa is a name widely used in Turkey, as it was the given name of the man popularly known as Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Mustafa is also an epithet of the prophet Muhammad and was the name of four Ottoman sultans. Other spellings include Mostafa, Moustafa, and Moustapha.
  18. Sylas
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Silas
    • Description:

      This spelling of Silas hit a peak at Number 520 in 2013 -- likely to due the trendy Y -- but has since fallen a bit in the ranking. The classic spelling is much more popular.
  19. Jase
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jason
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is salvation"
    • Description:

      Nickname name Jase joined twin brother Jace in the Top 100 in 2013, after first entering the list in 2002 -- but has since dropped in the charts. Inspiration may be Jase (born Jason) Robinson of the reality show Duck Dynasty.
  20. Malaya
    • Origin:

      Filipino
    • Meaning:

      "free"
    • Description:

      Deriving from the same East Asian root as Malaysia and Malay, Malaya is a name that recalls the more popular Maya and the name of 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai. It first appeared in the US Top 1000 in 2006.