Girl Names Lists · Popular Names and Name Trends
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 19 pages
of 19
English word name
"always, eternally, constantly"
A simple, unusual word name with an evocative meaning, Ever feels similar enough to Eva, Evelyn, and Everly that it shifts easily into name territory. Actor Robert Carradine was ahead of the trends…
Spelling variation of Kaylin
"adherence to the facts"
Honesty is one of the modern virtue names, which along with Justice and Destiny are picking up where Faith, Hope, and Charity left off. Is Honesty the most appealing name ever? No, and it's also sure…
Variation of Cadence, word name
"rhythm, beat"
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…
American diminution of Christopher, Greek and Latin
"bearer of Christ"
Kip Thorne, nobel laureate and long-time colleague of Stephen Hawking, is just one of several Kips who don't have a longer name. But Kip is often short for Christopher.
Invented name
"harmful spirits"
Neil Gaiman invented this name for a character in his comic book Sandman . It can now be seen on the TV show Lucifer . The name was inspired by the Hebrew term Mazzikin , which refers to sinister…
Variation of Amy
This Amy/Mia combination debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2013. It could also be seen as a variant of Amaya.
American variation of Kayla
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.
Modern Invented Name
A variation of Riley with an added -lynn suffix, this girl name is bubbling right underneath the Top 1000.
English occupational surname
The term for a female baker was Baxter, which ironically feels less appropriate for a baby girl than Baker itself. Josephine Baker was an American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent,…
Spelling variation of Journey
This overly trendy spelling jumped into the Top 1000 names in 2013. It got there by being the fourth fastest-rising name on the 2013 list, riding the increasing popularity of Journey and Journee.
"royal"
A superlative word name along the lines of Saint, King, Princess, and Chosen, Royal was mostly used for boys — as in Wes Anderson's anti-hero Royal Tennenbaum — until Lil' Kim named her daughter…
Hindi, Sanskrit "destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"
"destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"
Some parents are hoping to bestow good karma on their children with this name, derived from the Sanskrit word for "fate". Associated with the Hindu and Buddhist belief that someone's actions in this…
English surname
"king's meadow"
Regal Kingsley seems like an all-boy name, but a growing number of parents have bestowed this name on a girl. Credit the ever-trendier -ley suffix. Kingsley Wilson is a MAGA influencer and a…
Spelling variation of Jalen
Jalen variations are all over the Top 1000 of 2015 for both genders, and this oddly-spelling version earned spot Number 933. This trend is clearly on the decline, however. A male bearer of this…
African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella
"lacking nothing, one who knows the way"
Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of…
Irish surname
"bright-headed"
This friendly Irish surname is catching on with girls, perhaps due to the easy Callie nickname.
Word name
Alternative to Princess or Queenie.
English Surname
"post messenger or cavalryman"
Some parents are choosing this popular boys name for their daughters (in the US there were well over 100 female Ryders born last year). Is it the connection to Winona that makes this feel somewhat…
"an account of incidents or events"
An imaginative choice with an uptempo Cory/Rory/Tori sound, perfect for the child of a writer — or anyone with a good story to tell. Story has been finding some appreciation among celebs like…
