Names That Peaked in 2021
Across 22 pages
of 22
Marleigh
Spelling variation of Marley
This variation of Marley is gaining momentum due to the popular -leigh suffix, which is all over the US popularity lists. This name in particular reentered the US Top 1000 in 2013.
Novalee
Compound name, Nova + Lee, Latin and English
"new meadow"
Can be shortened to Nova, which has seen a meteoric rise into the Top 50 in recent years. Novalee appeared on the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2016 and continues to drift gently upward.
Damir
Slavic, Turkish, Russian, Arabic
"give peace; iron; heart, mind, conscience"
The most common form of Damir is of Slavic origins, deriving from the elements da , meaning "give" or "take," and mir , "peace." It's also seen as a variation of the Turkish name Demir, meaning…
Jiraiya
Japanese
"young thunder"
The name Jiraiya was created in 1806 for yomi-hon — a type of book from the Edo Period — called Jiraiya Monogatari. The character was revived later in the century for a folk tale series Jiraiya…
Scout
Word name
"one who gathers information covertly"
Scout, a character nickname from To Kill a Mockingbird (her real name was Jean Louise), became a real-life possibility when Bruce Willis and Demi Moore used it for their now-grown middle daughter,…
Kabir
Arabic
"the great"
Kabir is the 37th name of God in Islam. Kabir is also the name of an Indian poet and mystic saint. In the US, Kabir is on the rise as a boys' name, favored by Muslim parents.
Seven
English word and number name
This number name first came to public attention when Erykah Badu and Andre 3000 chose if for their son, Seven Sirius Benjamin, born in 1997. Over a decade later, David and Victoria Beckham used it as…
Giavanna
Spelling variation of Giovanna
This spelling made its way into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, fell off in 2014, then reentered in 2015. This spelling variation is riding the original's popularity, and we anticipate both…
Avayah
English
"life"
An elaboration on popular Ava which was chosen by YouTubers the Banks family in 2019, and subsequently became the fastest rising girl name of the following year.
Grey
Color name
The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Grey/Gray is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative—if…
Mazikeen
Invented name
"harmful spirits"
Neil Gaiman invented this name for a character in his comic book Sandman . It can now be seen on the TV show Lucifer . The name was inspired by the Hebrew term Mazzikin , which refers to sinister…
Gatlin
English
"wandering man"
Gatlin has risen into the Top 1000 in recent years on the strength of its association with the Olympic champion sprinter Justin Galtin as well as the Gatlin Brothers of Nashville fame. The name has…
Malayah
Variation of Malaya, Filipino
"free"
Malayah first appeared on the charts in 1994 and has steadily climbed its way into the Top 1000. It's a spelling variation of Malaya, which derives from the same root as Malaysia — which in addition…
Bowie
Scottish
"blond, yellow"
Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn put this name in play as a first name, but David Bowie (born with the considerably less marketable moniker of David Robert Jones) gave it charisma. He changed his…
Granger
English and French surname
"worker of the granary; farmer"
If you're seeking a solid but underused occupational name with a warm, friendly sound, and an earthy feel, Granger is one to consider. Associated with faming, grain, and the outdoors, it fits in with…
Nyra
Sanskrit
"beauty of Saraswati"
Indian actress Sameera Reddy chose this name for her daughter in 2019, sending it sharply up the charts. It is connected to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom, music, speech, art, and learning.
Niklaus
Swiss German variation of Nicholas, Greek
"people of victory"
A surprising entrant into the US Top 1000, given that this variation of Nicholas is primarily used in Switzerland. Niklaus "Klaus" Mikaelson was a character on the TV show The Vampire Diaries .
Kamari
Variation of Kamaria and Qamar, Arabic, Swahili
"moonlight"
A unisex name with an appealing and nature inspired meaning, Kamari is currently more popular for boys in the US, though it is climbing the charts for girls too, after in entered the Top 1000 in…
Aarna
Sanskrit
"wave"
Epithet of the goddess Lakshmi with a watery meaning.
Kartier
Variation of Cartier, French
"transporter of good by cart"
Kartier is on the rise for boys, along with a host of other luxury fashion related baby names.