Names that Peaked in 2025

When R & B singer Nivea made this highly original choice for her daughter's name back in 2005, she claimed to have thought of it in terms of the color and not the seagoing armed service. As a word with multiple meanings, however, it could easily work as a nod to a naval officer in the family or to someone who enjoys sailing.
 
Ultimately deriving from the Latin word navigia meaning "boats", Navy can refer to a fleet of ships, to the armed forces of the sea, or to the dark shade of blue, named for the traditional color of naval uniforms. As a name, it could fit in with the likes of Indigo, Scarlett, Hazel, or Sailor - and based on its sounds, with Maeve, May, and Ava.
 
Following Nivea's use of the name, it did slowly begin to climb the charts throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, but, after a boost in 2019 when country singer Jason Aldean gave it to his daughter, it entered the Top 1000. Currently a Top 500 name for girls in the US, it is also in the UK Top 1000 and gaining attention as an option for boys too.

Navy

Popular in Puerto Rico since the 2000s and now in the US too, Dariel is a modern, elaborated form or Darrell or Darren, inspired by the likes of Gabriel and Daniel. Darrell (which might also be the inspiration behind Darren) derived from a Norman French surname, d'Airelle, referring to someone who came from Airelle in France.
 
Another possibility is that it comes from the Persian and Greek Darius, or its Spanish variant Darío, combined with the Hebrew and Biblical element -el. Together, they could make the meanings "possessing the goodness of God" or "God possesses goodness". 
 
Dariel entered the US Top 1000 back in 2012 and has since climbed up to the Top 400. Given to around 880 boys in 2023, it is occasionally used on girls too.

Dariel

Lively and rhythmic version of Vivian heard in Italy and Spain. Viviana is right on trend today, fitting in with other frilly, girly favorites like Isabella, Eliana, and Ariana. It may also be spelled as Bibiana. One of the fastest rising names of 2023, Viviana has been in the US Top 500 since the 2000s. 

Viviana

Swanky sound via New York's ritzy Sutton Place. It fits with current popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys’ names</a>, due to its two syllables and -on ending. It debuted in the US Top 1000 for boys in 2015, though it is currently more popular for girls.

Sutton

Lorelai is the spelling used for the character played by Lauren Graham on The Gilmore Girls, as well as her daughter, who preferred the nickname Rory. The television show reintroduced this name to a new generation, but the Lorelai spelling could be confusing -- is it lor-ah-LAY? -- to those unacquainted with the Gilmores.

Lorelai

A truly international choice, the sweet and simple Mira has its origins in Sanskrit, Latin, Slavic, and Arabic, just to name a view. With its arty aura and succinct look, it makes a versatile option, much like the similar Nina and Mina. 
 
A brilliant thing about cross-cultural names are all the possible meanings and Mira has many lovely ones. As a Sanskrit name, it means "sea, ocean", while as a Slavic choice, it comes from mirŭ, meaning "peace, world". In Arabic, it comes from the element emir meaning "ruler", whereas in Latin, it borrows from mirus meaning "admirable, wonderful".
 
Additionally, it has its roots in Spanish, Catalan and Hebrew, where it can be used as a short form for Miriam and Mirian ("beloved, drop in the sea"), or as a translation of the Judeo-Spanish word for "myrrh" (mira or mirra), or of the Spanish word for "look" (mirar). 
 
But that's not all. In Albanian, it means "good" or "kind", in Japanese, it means "mirror", and in Korean, it may come from Mi-Rae, meaning "future", or from the word from "mummy", as in, an embalmed body, not a mother. It has also been used as an alternative spelling for Myra (relating to myrrh or Mary), a twist on Moira (the Greek word for the personifications of destiny), and as a short form of Miranda, Elmira, Casimira, Mirabel, and Samira.
 
Mira is is currently in the Top 400 in the US, France and UK, the Top 200 in Poland, and Belgium, and in the Top 100 in Switzerland, Sweden, Moldova, The Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, Hungary, Canada, Azerbaijan, and Austria. Stats also reveal it is a popular choice across India, Croatia, and Indonesia.
 
Notable Miras include children's author Mira Lobe, singer Mira Craig, and author Mira Jacob. In fiction, Mira appears in the film Enola Holmes 2, animated movie KPOP Demon Hunters and a number of manga and anime series.

Mira

Following in the footsteps of Leila and Aaliyah, Anaya is a gentle but sparky name that's been climbing the US and UK charts since the early 2000s. Given to around 900 American babies in a recent year, it also ranked in the England and Wales Top 100 for the first time in 2025.
 
The exact origins of Anaya are contested — or rather, it can derive from multiple sources, in turn, widening its appeal. One likely source is the Arabic name Inaya, itself derived from the word inayah meaning "care, concern, help". A strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat, it is familiar in France, the Netherlands, Lebanon, India, and Palestine.
 
Alternatively, Anaya could be a variation of the Hebrew Anaiah, meaning "Yahwah has answered", or it could be a form of the Basque name Anaia, meaning "brother". Additionally, parent may choose it as an alternative spelling for the modern invention Aniya, likely inspired by Aaliyah, Anita, Amaia, and Anya.

Anaya

One of those names that's suddenly on the map because of a celebrity's influence, Leighton Meester of the TV show Gossip Girl. She pronounces it LAY-ton but some will intuitively say LEE-ton.

Leighton

This Turkish name has some of today's most popular sounds: partly like Isla and Ayla with the well-loved -lin ending of Evelyn, Oaklynn, and Brooklynn. Used internationally, it's currently on trend in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, and Mexico too. It also ranks in the US and The Netherlands Top 500s, and in the the UK Top 1000. With its glowing meaning and contemporary sounds but established feel, Aylin could make a lovely, celestial choice.

Aylin

Wells is a newly-famous baby name thanks to pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who uses it as the short form of the buttoned-up Wellington, name of her youngest child.

Wells

Classic Mary has many international variations and the strong, pretty Maryam is the Arabic, Persian, and Urdu form. Popular in many countries across the world, from Azerbaijan to France, The Netherlands to Iran and from England to Russia, Maryam is the form of Mary that appears in the Quran. 
 
Just like its source name, Maryam's meaning is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).
 
In Islamic tradition, Maryam is seen as one of the most important women to have lived and she is the only woman to be named in the Quran. She was chosen by God to give both to the penultimate Messiah, Isa.
 
In Iran, Maryam is the common name for Anastatica, a type of tumbleweed with small white flowers which is believed to help during pregnancy.
 
Also transcribed as Mariyam, Mariam, Meriem, and Məryəm, Maryam has become increasingly familiar in the US where it has been consistently in the charts since 2009. Given to around 740 girls in 2023, it is now comfortably in the Top 500.

Maryam

Well used by Muslim parents across the world, Ibrahim is the Arabic variation of Abraham. Significant in multiple religions and with an international and well-travelled feel about it, Ibrahim has been in the US Top 1000 since the 1990s, and is currently popular in Azerbaijan, France, the UK, and Turkey.
 
A significant figure in The Quran, Ibrahim/Abraham fulfilled all the trials and commandments of God, and was therefore cared for throughout his life. He is viewed as a model of unwavering faith without becoming an idolater. 
 
Meaning "multitudes" or "father of man", Ibrahim is a powerful name that also feels very wearable. With sounds that are both zippy and serious, it is a versatile choice too.
 
Notable namesakes include soccer megastar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, peace activist, Ibrahim Abu el-Hawa; writer Laila Ibrahim; Ibrahim Abboud, the first president of Sudan and Kurdish writer, Ibrahim Ahmam, just to name a few.
 
Currently given to over 700 boys each year in the US, in 2022, Ibrahim also re-entered the UK Top 100.

Ibrahim

A name introduced here by The Godfather: James Caan played the anything-but-saintly Santino "Sonny" Corleone, and comedian Adam Carolla used it for his son.

Santino

Contemporary without feeling overtly modern, Elora is a winning mix of elements and sounds. It's got the popular El-prefix of Eleanor, Eloise, and Elliana, the -ora ending ef Aurora, Cora, and Nora — and while it is three syllables, it looks concise and unfussy, rather like Eliza or Elena. 
 
Quietly and occasionally used since at least the 1890s, Elora began to steadily climb in the late 80s, after it was used in the 1988 fantasy movie, Willow. It made its debut in the US Top 1000 in 2015 and went on to the be one of the fastest rising girl names of 2023 when it broke into the Top 500 for the first time.
 
One (potential or perhaps minor) drawback of the name is that its etymology is unclear. One very theory is that it's a contracted form of longer names such as Elnora and Eleanora (meaning also unknown, but possibly "the other Aenor") or a twist on the Hebrew Eliora meaning "God is my Light". Alternatively, there are several places in the US called Elora, which were ultimately inspired by the Ellora Cave complex in India... a name whose etymology is, again, contested. You might even view Elora as a variant of the Greek Elara ("hazelnut, spear"), the Turkish Alara ("water fair"), the Basque Elloria ("hawthorn"), or Latin Laura ("laurel").
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A recent year saw Elora appear in the US Top 400, the England and Wales Top 250, and the Netherlands Top 500.

Elora

Kai is one of the hottest names out there in recent years, climbing quickly into the Top 100. This combined with a surge of Japanese names gaining popularity in the US, like Kenji, Raiden, and Kenzo, and you've got a hit. Kaizen is of Japanese origin meaning "good change" — a term used for the Japanese business practice of continuous improvement in performance. It entered the US charts for the first time in 2022, and was among the fastest-rising names in 2023 as well.

Kaizen

Kyaire was among the fastest-rising boy names of 2025, and a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2023. Popular amongst African American parents, it is speculated that Kyaire was inspired by modern spiritual choice Kyrie, or West African place name Zaire and more directly, by its even higher ranking spelling, Zyaire. 
Another possibility is that Kyaire could be a variation of the Hebrew name Jair, meaning "to shine" - spelled in a way that makes the Spanish pronunciation more obvious to non-Spanish speakers. Or, it might even be a twist on the Arabic name, Khair, also spelled Khaire and Kayre, meaning "good". 
 
Whatever the origin, it is indisputable that today's parents are loving this more unique route to stylish nickname Ky. Given to an impressive 878 boys in a recent year — double the number the year prior — it is nearly 30 times more popular than it was in the 2010s. In fact, it might feel even more popular than it is, given the plethora of spelling variations of the name in the stats.

Kyaire

Miller is an up-and-coming choice in the stylish occupational genre, among the fastest-rising names for both boys and girls in the US in 2023.
 
Miller is also among the <a href="https://nameberry.com/blog/top-last-names-in-the-us">most common last names in the US</a>.
 Miller was chosen as a baby name by Stella McCartney, Melissa Etheridge, and by Tea Leoni and David Duchovny. There are innumerable Miller namesakes, including writers Arthur and Henry, and entertainers Dennis, Glenn, Jonny Lee, Larry, Mitch, Roger, Steve, and Sienna. And in fiction, there's Henry James's heroine, Daisy Miller.

Miller

Adhara is the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky. Also known as Adara, this name is perfectly suitable for a child. 
 
Adhara leaped into the US top 1000 for the first time in 2023, rising 812 spots, making it one of the fastest rising girl names of the year. It currently ranks at number 471, after rapidly climbing again in 2024.
 
Adhara Pérez Sánchez is an engineer from Mexico, best known for having an IQ higher than Einstein and for pursuing her Master's degree at just 11 years old.

Adhara

With Matthew sounding somewhat exhausted, and ancient endings sounding new again, this New Testament apostolic name makes an appealing and recommended choice. Both Mathias and Matias are well used in the Hispanic community, and throughout Europe. Will Ferrell and his Swedish wife chose Matias for their second son.
 In the Bible, Matthias is the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches honor Matthias as a saint.
 The Mathias spelling is used by George Eliot for the father of the protagonist of her novel Adam Bede.
 Matthias is popular abroad, and especially in Austria, France, The Netherlands, Iceland and Belgium, where it is normally pronounced Muh-TEE-us, though Americans are more likely to say Mah-THY-us.

Matthias

A unisex name that can be pronounced with one or two syllables (KAYS or KAY-see), Kayce was among the fastest-rising names of 2022 in the US, jumping 490 spots, thanks to the cool-cowboy association from character Kayce Dutton on the hit TV Western Yellowstone. This Kayce's name is pronounced like "Casey", leading to renewed interest in this spelling too.
 
A recent year saw it rank in the Top 400 in the US, given to around 850 boys, while in England and Wales, it was the second fastest rising name, climbing 374 places into the Top 500.
 
The name ultimately comes from the Irish surname Ó Cathasaigh, itself from the Old Irish Cathassach (KAH-huh-suhkh) meaning "vigilant, brave in battle".