Names that Peaked in 2016
- Zayden
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
The most popular spelling of the fast-climbing member of the Aiden-rhyming clan is used by parents who love the first initial Z. Zaiden is nearly as popular, and Zaden is a ways behind.
- Azariah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"helped by God"Description:
Though this is a popular name for men in the Bible, today it's used with this spelling for nearly equal numbers of girls and boys. The Azaria variation is much more often given to girls.
- Armani
Origin:
Italian surname derived from Herman or Arman, German or PersianMeaning:
"soldier or wish,hope"Description:
One of the designer baby names -- Chanel and Gucci are others -- that have appeared in this era of branding everything from your purse to your offspring.
- Carter
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"cart maker or driver"Description:
One of the surname names for boys on its way to becoming unisex, this name broke into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013 for girls. While it sounds masculine to us, because of its two-syllable er-ending sound so trendy with boys’ names, many parents apparently disagree.
- Franco
Origin:
Italian variation of FrancisMeaning:
"Frenchman or free man"Description:
A classic Italian name still heard in the Italian-American community. Once tainted by the association with the Spanish dictator, it's now more likely to call up actor James Franco.
- Maylee
Description:
Debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2016.
- Kori
Origin:
Spelling variation of Corey or AfricanMeaning:
"lamb"Description:
This variation of Corey has a Kardashian-style spelling update -- which might be why it's experiencing a boost in popularity of late. Kori is also a Kikuyu name meaning lamb, one of the many names from that African culture with animal meanings.
- Anaya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"care, concern"Description:
Anaya is a spelling variant of Inaya , a name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat.
- Yusuf
Origin:
Arabic variation of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
In the US, Yousef is a less commonly used spelling.
- Mikael
Origin:
Scandinavian, Finnish, and Breton form of MichaelMeaning:
"who is like God?"Description:
This variation of Michael is very popular in Iceland and Puerto Rico, but has only made the cut for the US Top 1000 two separate years —2016 and 2023. Angel-esque boy names ending in L trended upwards last year, meaning we may see some more little Mikaels around soon.
- Raelyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of RaelynnDescription:
After entering the Top 1000 in 2009, Raelyn has climbed the charts. It's ridden the coattails of Raelynn (which remains more popular), but also may be benefiting from the rise of Brooklyn. The use of -Lyn and -Lynn suffixes has grown in recent years, even as the name Lynn itself languishes.
- Heavenly
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Heavenly, the word that's become a name, has been flirting with the bottom of the Top 1000 for a handful of years now. Heaven and cousins like Nevaeh have been well-used so adding the popular -ly suffix, ala Everly, seems like a natural progression.
- Damari
Origin:
Variation of AmariDescription:
Damari is thought to be a variation of the popular trans-cultural name Amari with the Da- prefix. Amari means "eternal" in Hebrew and may mean "strength" in Yoruba, though other sources list the African meaning as unknown.
- Riaan
Origin:
Variation of Ryan or HindiMeaning:
"little king"Description:
South African adventurer Riaan Manser introduced this name to the American and European world. After bicycling the entire coast of Africa and rowing with his girlfriend from Morocco to New York, he wrote books about his travels and made his name famous. Riaan was also the baby name choice of Bollywood stars Genelia D'Souza and Riteish Deshmukh. It debuted on the US popularity list at Number 926 in 2015, when it was the fastest-rising name of the year. Nonetheless, be prepared to correct people on the spelling.
- Annalee
Origin:
Combination of Anna and LeeMeaning:
"grace; pasture"Description:
A compound name with an old-fashioned ring. It only first appeared on the US Top 1000 in 2012. Annalie is a somewhat different name that is nevertheless pronounced the same.
- Amiyah
Origin:
American variation of Amaya and Amaia, SpanishMeaning:
"night rain or the end"Description:
While this name is a phonetic variant of Amaya and Amaia, its popularity could also stem from its similarity to names such as Aliyah and Maya.
- Kimber
Origin:
Diminutive of KimberleyDescription:
This diminutive of Kimberley is gaining momentum as a standalone name. For our part, we're stumped by its rise.
- Maison
Origin:
French word nameMeaning:
"house"Description:
Mason with a French accent. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2012, and it will likely hang on for as long as its brother-in-spelling-variations, Mayson.
- Ariah
Origin:
Hebrew or ItalianMeaning:
"lion of God or song"Description:
When actress Tamera Mowry named her daughter Ariah, she said it was a Hebrew name meaning "lion of God" -- which it is, if you consider Ariah a variation of Ariel. But many sources consider Ariah a spelling variation of the Italian Aria, meaning song or literally air.
- Kye
Origin:
Spelling variation of KaiDescription:
With the rising popularity of Kai, this more phonetic spelling has been gaining traction as well. Kye debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015, and was one of the fastest-rising names of the year in 2016.