Names that Peaked in 2018

Khaleesi is an invented name introduced to the world by inventive and prolific author George R. R. Martin for his wildly popular Game of Thrones series—it's Dothraki for "queen" and is one of the titles of the character Daenerys. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2014.
 Martin's series is having a powerful influence on the baby name culture, with sister name Arya the fastest rising <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls’ name</a> in the US in 2012.
 We can't help feel, however, that this name is going to date about as fast as a pointy-toed boots or feathered hair. Advice: look for another name.

Khaleesi

The appealingly energetic Dax, with its trendy X-ending, re-entered the Top 1000 in 2007. Its somewhat sci-fi vibe emanates from his appearance as a fictional being in the Star Trek universe, seen on the TV show "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." The Power Rangers character Dax Lo was the Blue Ranger.
 In real life, actor Dax Shepard hosts the popular podcast Armchair Expert and played the TV character of Crosby Braverman on "Parenthood." His parents named him for the protagonist of the best-selling Harold Robbins novel, The Adventurers-- Dax Xenos.
 Dax is also a French community famous as a spa.
 Dax is unlikely to become popular in Australia, sounding too much like the word dacks, which means boys' underwear.

While John Wayne and Duke Ellington are worthy role models, the reason Duke is currently enjoying a revival and returned to the Top 1000 in 2013 as one of the year's fastest-rising <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys’ names</a> is more likely due to the name given to high-profile TV couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic. Christened Edward Duke, he has always been called by his middle name, just as Edward Duke Ellington was. Duke is just one of several aristocratic titles being increasingly used by ordinary citizens.

Duke

Lennox is one of the new breed of surname names on the rise as a <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/472/scottish-names-for-girls">Scottish name for girls</a> as well as boys. The final x makes the name a bit masculine a la Max and Felix, but female inspirations include Eurythmics' Annie Lennox, Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden, and Lennox Scanlon in sitcom Melissa & Joey.

Lennox

Y is often used to feminize a variant spelling of a name, though of course there's nothing intrinsically gendered about it. The Karsyn spelling is slightly off its peak for girls, but rising for boys.

Karsyn

Remy is one of those rare names that combines ancient roots with modern sleekness. Boys outnumber girls with the classic Remy spelling, girls named Remi outnumber those named Remy. With either spelling and for either gender, it's a winning choice.

Remy

Similar to Kinsley, this modern choice has become much more popular in recent years; it first entered the Top 1000 in 2011. Part of its appeal might be that it sounds reminiscent of the overly-popular McKenzie.

Kensley

A Scottish favorite that could make it here thanks to its similarity to the word divine. It's the most popular of several feminizations of David used in Scotland, including Davida, Davinia and Davidina, which have less of a chance in the U.S. It reentered the US Top 1000 for the first time in two decades in 2016.

Davina

Bellamy is emerging as an up-and-coming <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' name</a>, an Irish surname-y riff on the super-popular Bella series of names. While the Bella connection makes Bellamy sound a little trendier and more popular than it really is, we see the name possibly rising through the ranks for both genders in the coming years.

Bellamy

A combination name and an English surname, Brynleigh has trendy sounds and two possible nature meanings. Less popular than its counterparts, Brinley and Brynlee, it is nevertheless still in the US Top 1000. 

Brynleigh

Avi, the short form of many Hebrew names, is often used on its own in Israel. It entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.

Kaiser, as in roll and Wilhelm, appeared for the first time on the US Top 1000 in 2017.  It fits the two-syllable -er ending style that's all the rage, and it lends itself to the short form Kai.  But we hope this Germanic version of what is essentially a title rather than a name doesn't keep rising on the charts.

Kaiser

Less popular than the Bueller-inspired Sloane but following on its coattails, this name ranks toward the middle of the Top 1000, but we see both spellings sticking around for years to come.

Sloan

There is much disagreement about the origin, meaning, or even existence of this name. Some sources cite Jesiah as the name of several minor Biblical figures, others say it's a variation of Josiah, still others call it a modern conflation of Josiah and Jesse. Whatever it is, it's red-hot. Rising a whopping 256 places in 2023, Jesiah is among the newest additions to the US Top 1000 — an interesting phenomena being that Josiah and Jesse have now both passed their popularity peak.

Jesiah

Zev is a short, simple, animal name that may relate to the Old Testament Ze'ev -- except he was a villainous character.  

Jenna is overheated, but Jemma is still cool.  Jemma and Gemma are most heard in Australia but are increasingly used in other countries.

Jemma

This rhythmic last-name-first-name projects the creativity and inventiveness of Thomas Edison. It's an English surname deriving from either Adam or Eda, a medieval diminutive of Edith.

 Q. Why is it suddenly being considered by new parents? A) They may possibly be inspired by the mega-trendy Addison, or B) infuenced by the renewed interest in "Twilight" hero Edward and looking at other Ed-starting possibilities, C) attracted to the stylish -son ending, ala Jackson and Harrison or D) into science.

 Whatever the reason, Edison is rising through the ranks and strikes the perfect balance of familiar and distinctive.

Edison

Berkeley, with an extra E, is the more familiar variation of this name, associated with the California school. But it's the streamlined Berkley that has proven itself to be more popular as a baby name, at least in the US.
 
This name is pronounced BARK-lee in the UK, while in the US we say BIRK-lee.

Berkley

Anais is an unusual, alluring name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin (born Angela, with Anais as one of her middle names), who became the inspiration for the naming of the daughter of musician Noel Gallagher. Anais is also the name of a popular perfume.
 Anais can be found as a character in Balzac's "Lost Illusions", and in Colette's 'Claudine' books.
 Anais would make a creative and distinctive <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/673/middle-names">middle name</a>.

Anais

Macho to the max.  But with the rise of x as a fashionable letter anywhere it appears in a name, ala Jaxson or Maxon, we may be hearing more of Axton.