Names that Peaked in 1998

Elyssa

Elyssa is a feminine name with ancient roots, representing a variation of Elissa, the legendary founder and queen of Carthage (also known as Dido in Virgil's Aeneid). The name has Phoenician origins…

Alize

Variation of Aleeza or Alizee, Hebrew or French

"joy or wind"

Alize feels like a blend of Alice and Eliza but it's not related to either of those names, rather to the more unusual (in the US, at least) Aleeza, a Hebrew name meaning joy, or Alizee, a French name…

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.

Allyssa

Allyssa is a feminine name that represents a variation of Alyssa, which itself derives from the Greek name Alyssum, a type of flower. This spelling with double 'l' and double 's' emerged as parents…

Bryanna

Variation of Brianna, English

"strong, virtuous and honorable"

A confusing-looking name — is it BRY-anna or BREE-anna? There are other feminine variants of Bryan/Brian which look less made up, such as Brianna and Breanna. We recommend looking into those choices…

Caitlynn

Caitlynn is a feminine name that represents a modern spelling variation of Caitlin, which itself is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Caitlín (pronounced Katch-leen). The original name derives…

Kaitlynn

Spelling variation of Kaitlyn or Caitlin

Kaitlynn seems to be trying too hard to make its pronunciation plain. At this point, everyone knows that the name however you spell it is pronounced like Kate plus Lynn, so why go all the way to…

Katelynn

Spelling variation of Caitlin

Caitlin, but with the popular -lynn suffix.

Caitlyn

Spelling variation of Caitlin

Caitlyn is following all variations on the Irish classic Caitlin down the US baby name charts, following decades of popular usage. The original Anglicized form Kathleen is now starting to feel…

Carlie

Variation of Carly, English

"free man"

The ie ending injects this late 20th century favorite with a bit of late 19th century charm. But not quite enough to make it a good 21st century choice.

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.

Daria

Feminine variation of Darius, Persian or Latin from Greek

"kingly or possess well"

An early Christian martyr, a bespectacled MTV cartoon heroine, and Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy: Daria is a name that manages to feel contemporary and usable without being exactly stylish. Which…

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.

Graciela

Spanish

"grace"

A sparky and feminine elaboration on Gracia, Spanish for "grace".

Kalie

Kalie is a feminine name that serves as a modern variation of the traditional names Kelly or Kaylee, combining elements of both in its pronunciation and style. It originated as a diminutive form…

Kinsey

English

"king's victory"

Kinsey enjoyed popularity blip thanks to similarity to Lindsay, and because of Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries heroine, Kinsey Millhone. Now, Kinsley has become more popular than Kinsey, perhaps…

Makala

Hawaiian

"myrtle,"

There are so many variations of this name in circulation, it makes it hard for any of them to feel as special as they might.

Mckayla

Variation of Michaela

"who is like God"

Is this popular name really Michaela, or is it a combination of McKenna and Kayla. The real answer: it's a fusion of trends.