Names that Peaked in 1995

Demi appeared in the US as a baby name thanks to a single celebrity, actress Demi Moore, who put it on the Top 1000 throughout the 1990s. As her star faded, so did the visibility of the name, though now it is rising again on its own steam. It's popular in Europe, too, especially in The Netherlands. Demi may be that unusual name that's launched by a celebrity and then maintains its visibility all by itself.

Among the Top 20 names of the 1990s, today's Courtney is more apt to be the babysitter than the baby. Courtney has dropped since its peak at Number 17 in 1995. Familiar from Courtney Love and Courtney Cox.

Tiana gained a lot of popularity after Disney bestowed this pretty name upon its first African-American princess. Although it has declined in usage over recent years, Tiana’s connections to dainty Tatiana, Christiana and Bastiana should see it in continued usage for a while to come. Read more about Tiana and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

Widely heard in both Italian and Spanish households, Sergio and his many international brothers are rooted in Sergius, one of the original Roman family names. The meaning is unknown, but possibly is related to servant or protector.

A laid-back cowboy name which feels both cool and gentle, Dallas has ranked in the US Top 500 since records began in 1880. Never super popular but surprisingly never out of style, Dallas is given to nearly 1400 boys in the US every year.

Once a common boys' name in Ireland (e. g. , Darby O'Gill and the Little People), the dynamic Darby now has a definite unisex feel. Actor Paul Rudd has a young daughter named Darby.

Windswept and dramatic, but perhaps asking for trouble. Quite popular in Denmark and Sweden, where it derives from Stromr, which is a fairly common surname. Storm Thorgerson is a famous bearer of the name - he designed iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Cranberries, Anthrax, and Pink Floyd.

Pretty feminissima name that never became as overused as cousin Melissa. The more streamlined Maris is a more modern sounding option.

The Selina spelling swims below the Top 1000, which it fell off more than 15 years ago. Still, more than 160 baby girls were named Selina in 2023, compared with over 1300 named Selena and more than 1000 called the fashion-friendly Celine.

The original versions of Micaela have morphed into all manner of "inventive" spellings -- Makayla, McKalla et al -- but we prefer the genuine international versions, like this one.

Relaxed western place-name that still has some masculine punch, but be warned: this whole posse of similarly trendy names, like Sierra and Dakota, will soon ride toward the sunset.

Paola is the Latinate version of Paula. Its intriguing sound could make it more appealing than the English standard.

One of the most evenly divided unisex names these days; strong and energetic, if overused, for both genders.

Spelled in various ways, this name was first brought into the American consciousness by the Lebanese-American poet and artist Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.

Fabiola was the romantically elaborate name of a saint who organized the first hospice. Neither Fabiola nor Fabia appear on the most recent US extended list of names given to five or more babies, though Fabiana and Fabianna are both used.

Parents who love the great English novelist Jane Austen may choose this spelling of the popular name Austin to honor the author of Emma and Pride and Prejudice.

Justice is a fashionable word name, used for both girls and boys. Justice has the distinction of being a virtue name without the religious implications of Faith or Grace. It still feels more male than female, perhaps partly due to the classic Roman name Justus, but Justice has become a more common pick for girls in recent years.

Iridian is a feminine name inspired by 'iridescence,' referring to colors that appear to change when viewed from different angles, like those seen in opals, soap bubbles, or butterfly wings. This modern nature-inspired name evokes qualities of beauty, uniqueness, and transformation. Derived from Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iridian carries associations with colorful natural phenomena and celestial brilliance. While relatively uncommon, it has gained modest popularity among parents seeking distinctive names with positive meanings and natural connections. The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining melodic elegance with its flowing syllables. Iridian appeals particularly to families drawn to uncommon names with scientific or nature-based origins that still sound feminine and accessible.

Dakoda is an alternative spelling of Dakota, a name derived from the Native American Sioux tribe and their language, meaning 'friend' or 'ally.' This phonetic spelling variant emerged in the late 20th century as the name gained popularity for both boys and girls, though it's somewhat more common for males. The name reflects Americans' fondness for names with indigenous roots and the appeal of Western American cultural references. Dakoda offers a slightly different visual representation while maintaining the same pronunciation as the more traditional spelling. The name evokes images of the American plains, a free spirit, and natural landscapes. While less common than Dakota, Dakoda appeals to parents seeking a familiar name with a unique twist.

While Kianna and Kiana are credited with a range of origins and meanings online, it is an American invented name taken from Quiana, a polyester fabric that gained some following as a baby name in the 1970s when it was first invented.