Names that Peaked in 2019

Bright, spirited, and playful, Nyla shares sounds with the popular Isla, Lila, Layla, and Delilah, making it feel fresh and in style. A name with a number of possible origins, it made a brief, anomalous appearance on the US charts in 1941, before disappearing again for the next 60 years. It has been back in the US Top 1000 since 2001, and is currently on the rise, given to around 1230 girls each year.
 
One theory around Nyla's origin is that it derives from the Arabic name Naila - also spelled Nayla, Neyla, and Na'ila - giving it a meaning associated with ambition and success. While the traditional pronunciation would be na-EE-luh, Nyla could be an Anglicized interpretation. Another possibility is that Nyla is a feminine form of Niles, Neil, or Niall, meaning either "cloud" from the Old Irish nél or "hero; champion" from the Old Irish nia.
 
 Anlla and Nila might provide another source of inspiration: both are Sanskrit and Hindi names meaning "wind, air" and "dark blue" respectively. Alternatively, Nyla may just be a modern creation, inspired by Kyla, Tyler, and Skyler.
 
Wherever it comes from, Nyla is now a well-established choice in the US and is equally on the rise in the UK, where it is in the Top 250. 
 Famous bearers of the name include Indian actress Nyla Usha and New Zealand long-distance runner Nyla Carroll.

Nyla

Cataleya is the name of a genus of orchids that gained visibility as a baby name after it was used for the character played by Zoe Saldana in Colombiana. Part Caitlin, part Aaliyah, and part Leah, Cataleya is a trendy choice that just might transcend its momentary popularity. It is a spelling adaptation of Cattleya, named after the British horticulturalist William Cattley.

Cataleya

There are over five hundred names for the Arab prophet who founded the Muslim religion, making it the most common boys' name in the world and explaining the Muslim adage, "If you have a hundred sons, name them all Muhammad."
 Currently the most popular name in the UK, it is a strong, solid, and meaningful name. Other variations include Mehmet, Mohammad, Mahamadou, and Mihemed.

Muhammad

Collins is a surname name that has made the girls' Top 1000 thanks to its use for the daughter of the real-life Blind Side heroine. As of 2022, Collins climbed into the US Top 300. This derivation of the Greek Nicholas—which means "people of victory"—or the Irish and Scottish Colin—which may itself be a Nicholas derivation or an Anglicization of the word for pup—has a stylish feel made more so by that final s.

Collins

The name of a figure from Greek mythology, Adonis is a high-pressure name often synonymous with masculine beauty. Nonetheless, many mythological names that would have previously been deemed off limits have made their way up the popularity charts—for instance, Penelope currently ranks highly for girls. And indeed, Adonis was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2016, moving up 307 spots on the U.S. popularity chart in just one year.

Adonis

This variation of Brinley is currently the most popular of the plethora of alterative spellings. Ranking in the US Top 250 and given to 1300 girls in 2024, it is twice as popular as the traditional Brinley.
 
Appealing perhaps because it is more solidly connected to the Welsh name Brynn, Brynlee can be seen as a smoosh name, or as a twist on an English surname. Either way, you get an on-trend sounding choice and two nature-inspired meanings.

Brynlee

Shepherd is an occupational surname with a pleasant, pastoral feel, an outdoorsy vibe, a gentle sound and a cool, contemporary energy. The name has been rising steadily in the US since the mid-2000s, but it didn't break in to the Top 1000 until 2016. Since then, it has become a fresh but familiar choice, ranking in the Top 350 in a recent year.
 
Used to describe a sheep herder, this name was chosen by Jerry Seinfelds and his wife Jessica back in 2005, likely inspiring other parents to consider it. More recently, it was chosen by actors Genevieve and Jared Padalecki for their son in 2013, which coincides with the time it really started to pick up pace as a name option. 
 
Shepherd has spiritual undertones, links with Christmas, and an air of wisdom about it, however it doesn't feel too much. Its sounds and rustic feel keep it grounded.
 
. There are other spelling choices: Shepard, Sheperd, and Sheppard--all of which lead to the friendly nickname Shep. Artist Shepard Fairey (original first name Frank) gained a lot of attention for his Obama HOPE poster.
 The various spellings are additionally reflected in the surnames of astronaut Alan Shepard, "Winnie the Pooh" illustrator Ernest Shepard, actor/playwright Sam Shepard, "A Christmas Story" writer Jean Shepherd, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith, and actress Cybill Shepherd.

Shepherd

Ronan is the compelling legendary name of twelve Irish and Scottish saints that is now drawing some deserved attention; this cousin of the ascending Roman and Rowan was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller in 1998, and more recently by actress Catherine Bell.
 Ronan is a Harry Potter name—that of a centaur who lives in the Forbidden Forest. Ronan Keating is an Irish singer, Ronan Farrow is a TV personality and Hollywood scion, and its presence as a surname is represented by young actress Saoirse Ronan.

Ronan

Is Amora a real name? It made a strong entrance to the US Top 1000 in 2017 so it's one of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/495/spanish-names-for-girls">Spanish names for girls</a> that is obviously catching on, perhaps thanks to its similarity to Amara, a multicultural name that's achieving widespread popularity here and abroad. Amora sounds like the Latinate amore and is one of the romantic <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/434/baby-names-that-mean-love">names that mean love</a>, familiar via the classic Dean Martin song That's Amore ("When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...). Amora also borrows something from Amanda, something from Maura, and makes an attractive choice no matter what its pedigree.

Amora

Bright, melodic, and nature inspired, Kailani blends the appeal of Kaia and Leilani in terms of sounds, while in meaning, it matches the draw of Skye, Ocean, and Celeste. Derived from Hawaiian elements kai ("sea, ocean") and lani ("sky, heaven"), it debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2013, having been on the rise since the early 2000s.
 
Also popular in Puerto Rico and Mexico, Kailani ranked in the Top 300 in a recent year and has been joined in the charts by Portuguese and Brazilian spelling Kailany and by Kaylani (which may also be a variation of Keilani). Given to 1215 girls in a recent year, when you view the spelling variations collectively, it begins to feel like a Top 70 choice, ranking alongside Zoey, Claire, and Eden in the same year.
 
Traditionally used as a unisex name in Hawaii (and given to a small handful of boys in the US most years), a notable bearer is Australian figure-skater, Kailani Craine.

Kailani

Emerson is a dignified, somewhat serious name associated with transcendental thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson. Much more popular now for girls since Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher used it for her daughter, it is definitely still a viable <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys name</a>.

Emerson

Nash is an English surname whose sound puts it right in step with currently trendy names like Cash, Dash and Ash. It first came to prominence via TV character Nash Bridges, portrayed by Don Johnson in the late nineties, and also via mathematician John Nash, played by Russell Crowe in the acclaimed film A Beautiful Mind. 
 Nash first entered the <a href="https://nameberry.com/popular-names">popular names</a> list in 1997.
 As a surname, Nash has been associated with witty poet Ogden (born Frederic Ogden), auto manufacturer Charles, maker of the defunct brand, and rock musician Graham, of Crosby, Stills and Nash—as well as Clarence "Ducky" Nash, the voice of Donald Duck. Iron Chef Cat Cora named her son Nash Lemuel. Teenage dreamboat Nash Grier was one of the first celebrities to gain fame on social media platform Vine.

Nash

Crew is yet another word name that was added to the baby name lexicon when this one was chosen by The Young and the Restless star Joshua Morrow for his son. It debuted on the Top 1000 in 2010. We've also heard spelling variations Cru and Crue.

Crew

With Journey becoming increasingly popular, it's no surprise that this alternative spelling is not far behind. However, you may be surprised to learn that in recent years, the Journee spelling has actually passed the original spelling in popularity — Journee is currently in the Top 200.

This word name may be appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage.

Journee

Kayson is one of several variations of the boys' name Cason, a favorite of the 2010s when it appeared in many different forms, from the Casen to Kaisen to Cayson. Likely inspired by the popular Mason and Jason, the name is also a place name and surname, derived from the English town Cawston .
 
While other Cason-variants seem to have had their day, Kayson remains the most popular. It is in both the UK Top 600 and the US Top 300, where it is given to more than 1200 boys every year. 
 
If you do enjoy Kayson but want something a little more unique, Canaan, Canyon, Layton, or Keaton might appeal.

Kayson

Bodhi is a Sanskrit name translated as "enlightenment" or "awakening" which relates to a Buddhist concept, wherein Bodhi is synonymous with the state of nirvana, being freed from hate, greed and ego. The Bodhi tree is a large fig tree under which the founder of Buddhism received enlightenment. Spelling variations include Bodie and Bode.
 
Bodhi has recently been appearing as a baby name in the American celebrisphere, first heard via Bodhi Elfman, husband of Jenna. Since then it has been used by four celebrity couples as the first name for their sons, and celebrity chef Tom Colicchio as the middle name for his boy, Luka. Carly Simon and James Taylor have a grandson named Bodhi. And who remembers that it was the name of the Patrick Swayze character in the 1991 film "Point Break"?
 
As opposed to some other religious and <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/254/spiritual-baby-names">spiritual names</a>, Bodhi has an upbeat, friendly feel, similar to that of Brody and Cody.
 
A Top 300 name in the US, it ranks in the Top 100 in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Bodhi

Aspen is part of two groups of stylish and unique baby names: <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/329/nature-baby-names">nature names</a> and place-names. The name of a graceful tree in the poplar family with heart-shaped leaves so delicate they quiver in the gentlest breeze, Aspen is also the name of a trendy Colorado ski resort. Aspen started as a unisex name possibility but now is much more frequently worn by girls.
 Aspen entered the popularity list in 1993 and peaked in 2022 when it rose to the Top 200 for girls. Now its popularity for baby girls is softening in the US, but increasing for boys, entering the male Top 1000 for the first time ever in 2024.

Aspen

Saint as a descriptive word name was first chosen by rocker Pete Wentz for his younger son (baby brother is Bronx), and now Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have catapulted the name into the celebrity stratosphere by choosing it for their baby boy. The couple called their baby "Saint" throughout the pregnancy because his conception had been so difficult. Saint was named in our predictions for the top baby name trends of 2015, on descriptive word names which also include Royal and Noble, King and Rogue. Saint is moving beyond the group of names that are only <a href="https://nameberry.com/fameberry">celebrity baby names</a> and into the general lexicon.

Saint

The international popularity of Noah has led to some parents searching for alternatives and the rhyming Koa is now attracting more attention than ever. With its cool K initial and summery, nature-inspired feel, this punchy three letter name has risen more than 600 places since it entered the US charts in 2017.
 
A Hawaiian name with a fierce meaning, Koa is also a type of tree native to the islands whose wood is favored for building canoes and surfboards. Considered sacred to some, the tree was also used historically to make weapons, making it synonymous with strength and warriors.
 
Given to around 1100 boys in the US last year, Koa is also in the Top 500 in the UK, and in the Top 100 in Australia, where it is also associated with the Aboriginal Koa people, whose name possibly comes from a word meaning "west". 
 
Striking the balance between gentle nature name and bold adventurer, Koa was chosen by guitarist Tom Dumont of the band No Doubt, a brother for Ace and Rio, and a name that fits right in with all of the band's stylishly named offspring, Mason, Magnolia, Ruby, Kingston, Zuma, Apollo, Coco, and Saffron. The YouTubers, Family Fizz, also have a son named Koa, who joins sisters Mia, Sienna, and Karma, and baseball player Francisco Lindor and his wife used Koa Amani for their son in 2025.

Lovers of the name Carter and the Kardashians method of baby naming have popularized this choice, one of many <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/boys-names/k">boys' names starting with K</a> that began life as <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/boys-names/c">boys' names starting with C</a>.

Karter has been in the charts since 2005, riding on the success of the original Carter. Since 2014, Karter has been just inside the Top 200.