American Names for Girls
Updated Thu Sep 14 2023
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American names for girls, in the context of this list, means names that are American in origin. They are often modern invented names like Kaylee or Janae.
American names for girls, then, don't have quite as long as history as some other girls names. But that doesn't mean that American girls names aren't worth considering. The American names for girls on our list below are ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
RELATED:
- Kaylee
Origin:
American variation of KaylaMeaning:
"laurel, crown"Description:
A widely used name, Kaylee pulls together something from Kayla and something from Hailey, yet somehow loses something in the process. It has surpassed cousin Kayla on the charts and is one of three girls' names starting with Kthat ranks in the US Top 100.
- Miley
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
One-time overnight success name, thanks to Hannah Montana actress and singer Miley Cyrus, Miley fell just as quickly from her peak of Number 127 in 2008 as the star entered her rebellious era.
- Wrenley
Origin:
Modern invented name, EnglishMeaning:
"small songbird; wren's meadow"Description:
Inspired by the sweet but solid bird name Wren, this longer form has been storming up the charts since 2018. Given to just 13 girls back in 2014, a decade later in 2024, it ranked in the Top 150 and was chosen for more than 1900 girls. It's initial appearance in the stats back in 2013 may have been inspired by the character Renly in Game of Thrones but it has since become a name with its own identity,
- Emory
Origin:
Spelling variation of Emery, English from GermanMeaning:
"industrious"Description:
A child will find this name is neat, easy to pronounce, and able to fit in with the crowd.
- Maeby
Origin:
Diminutive of MaeDescription:
Maeby sprang into the modern consciousness via the cult TV favorite Arrested Development, in which the appealing teen character Maeby's name is a nickname for Mae. It's also a homonym for Maybe, which undercuts its inherent cuteness. Is Maeby prime for a real life baby name? Sorry, but we can't resist: Maybe.
- Ashlyn
Origin:
Variation of Aislinn, IrishMeaning:
"dream"Description:
Though it relates to the Irish original, Ashlyn and its next most popular form, Ashlynn, owe more of their popularity as baby names in the US to the megastar Ashley, though all three have been dropping on the charts lately.
- Saige
Origin:
Spelling variation of SageDescription:
What works for Paige just doesn’t work for Sage. The added i will likely create a lifetime of spelling mistakes.
- Kadence
Origin:
Variation of Cadence, word nameMeaning:
"rhythm, beat"Description:
K-beginnings are often substituted for Cs, and this spelling is definitely finding favor with many parents, among them skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. However, sometimes the original is the best - we suggest sticking to the still unusual Cadence.
- Tippi
Origin:
Invented nicknameDescription:
Tippi is best known as the nickname of actress Tippi Hedren, star of Hitchcock's "The Birds" and "Marnie." Hedren's real name was Nathalie Kay; her father dubbed her Tippi. Although the name will inevitably be reminiscent of Hedren, it could make a cute short form for a name such as Tiffany or Philippa.
- Sundae
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
I'm sure the parents of the six little girls named Sundae in the US last year were thinking, "well, if Nicole Kidman can use Sunday..." In this case, we think the day of the week spelling is preferable to the dessert spelling.
- Kimber
Origin:
Diminutive of KimberleyDescription:
This diminutive of Kimberley is gaining momentum as a standalone name. For our part, we're stumped by its rise.
- Brooklynn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Brooklyn, place name from DutchMeaning:
"marshland"Description:
This extra-N variation matches up with the current preferred spellings of Oaklynn, Raelynn, and Adalynn, however it has always been outranked by popular Brooklyn. Though both spellings have trended downwards since their peak in 2011, Brooklyn maintains its place in the US Top 100, while Brooklynn lags behind in the #300s.
- Kaylin
Origin:
American variation of KaylaDescription:
Kaylin is a variation of Kayla and Katelyn that had several years of chart climbing before reaching a peak of Number 372 in 2009. Cailin and Kailyn are two other spellings.
- Jaelyn
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Jaelyn is a name popular in many spellings and variations, including Jaelynn, Jaylin, and Jalen, and used for girls as well as boys.
- Addisyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of AddisonDescription:
Addison has been a wildly popular surname name, mostly for girls, for a few decades now, and Addisyn is one of its many spelling variations.
- Janelle
Origin:
American, modern elaboration of JaneDescription:
It's far cooler to drop the first syllable and go for Elle.
- Emmalynn
Origin:
Combination of Emma and LynnMeaning:
"universal lake"Description:
An updated form of Emmeline or Emmaline or a compound name that makes your chosen pronunciation more obvious. Spelling variation Emmalyn reached the US Top 500 in2017, but has since fallen out of Top 1000. However, if you put the two spellings together, this smoosh name is given to nearly 400 girls, placing it above Emmeline or Emmaline. Influence Emmalynn Minassian and Canadian singer, Emmalyn Estrada are notable bearers.
- Nichelle
Origin:
American, contemporary variation of MichelleDescription:
A modern twist on Michelle spotlighted by Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols.
- Jaylee
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Jaylee belongs to the family of names including Haylee and Caylee, all of which experienced their greatest popularity five to ten years ago.
- Marilee
Origin:
English combination of Mary and LeeMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + meadow"Description:
Marilee is one of the cheeriest – if least substantial – combinations of Mary with another name.
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