Names that Peaked in 1998

Alyssa

English variation of Alicia

"noble"

Alyssa was in the Top 20 from 1997-2010 and peaked as the 11th most popular girls’ name in 1998 and 1999 but has become less popular in recent years. It's related to the flower alyssum as well as to…

Madeleine

French variation of Magdalen

"woman from Magdala or high tower"

Sophisticated and sweet, delicate but substantial, Madeleine is the classic French variation of Magdalene. Once a Top 10 option in France, its popularity waned in the 70s, though it is slowly on the…

Hanna

Spelling variation of Hannah

This simplified version is not nearly as popular as the original (it also destroys a perfectly good palindrome), and has been on the decline in recent years.

Mikayla

Spelling variation of Michaela

"who is like God"

Less-traditional variation of Michaela that's found more popularity than the original. The appeal for many parents is that this spelling clarifies pronunciation and also offers two names in one,…

Hunter

English

"one who hunts"

This surname gained momentum in the 1990s, when it was particularly in vogue for males. However, it seems to be experiencing a surge for females—it was one of the fastest-rising names of 2013,…

Micah

Hebrew

"who is like the Lord"

While Micah is traditionally a boy name, it is now increasingly used for girls too, likely because it works as an alternative to Michaela, Maia, and McKenna. Still, Micaiah, the name from which Micah…

Montana

Spanish place-name

"mountainous"

Overly trendy western place-name, as stated in the title of our book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana.

Allyson

Spelling variation of Allison

"noble"

The original Allison was a Top 50 name from the 1980s through 2016, and Allyson is one of the many spelling variations parents used to put a more unique spin on the original.

Essence

Word name, English from Greek

"the most significant element of a thing or person"

Heavily perfumed word name that peaked a few years ago.

Kaycee

English variation of Casey, Irish

"brave in battle"

This spelling variation of unisex Casey leans farther to the girls' side. Kaycee ranked in the US Top 1000 in the late 80s and 90s, but has fallen out of favor now.

Nathalie

A French variation of Natalie that's used occasionally in contemporary America. In England and Wales Natalie remains about 10 times as popular as Nathalie.