Popular Names and Name Trends · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
New Baby Names
Across 16 pages
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Salem
Biblical place-name or Arabic
"safe"
Salem is a Biblical place name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem, as well as the Massachusetts town famous for its late 17th century witch trials. Salem is also a popular first name in…
Emberly
English elaboration of Ember
"ember"
The Kimberly of the current age, but currently less popular than either Ember or Everly.
Idris
Welsh; Arabic
"ardent lord; studious, interpreter"
A name that crosses cultures, Idris was virtually unknown in the US before the emergence of the charismatic actor Idris Elba, first on The Wire and then for depicting Nelson Mandela. Since then, the…
Leilany
Variation of Leilani, Hawaiian
"heavenly flower"
Alternate spelling of Leilani, popular among Hispanic families.
Bridger
English
"lives near the bridge"
A recent addition to the Most Popular list, Bridger has the trendy two-syllables and 'er' ending, and a historical reference to Jim Bridger, a foremost nineteenth-century frontiersman, explorer,…
Drew
English diminutive of Andrew, Greek
"strong and manly"
Drew is an elegant formerly male-only alternative to Andy that joined the stylishly upscale Paige-Brooke-Blair sorority, thanks largely to Drew Barrymore. Barrymore comes by her first name…
Analia
Combination name, Ana plus Lia
Analia is a melodic newcomer to the US Top 1000, a fresher spin on the Olde Worlde Anamaria. It charted in the US from 2009 to 2012, and then reentered the popularity list in 2015. El Rostro de…
Ila
Scottish, Hindi, Hungarian, Finnish
"from the island; earth, sacred speech; shining light; joy"
A simple name that's rising fast in the US, likely inspired by the popularity of Isla and Ayla. This streamlined form might appeal to those who like Ana, Ivy, and Ada, and it brings a multicultural…
Ocean
English, nature name
"ocean"
Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents. In 2024, it was given to 483 boys and 325 girls, making this a unisex favorite…
Cannon
Word name
Cannon sits amongst other weapon names like Colt, Pistol, Lance, and Remington. Definitely a name that offers bombast.
Keilani
Hawaiian
"heaven, sky, glorious chief"
Keilani is among the fastest rising girls' names in some US states, a once- unusual name perhaps popularized by its similarity to both Leilani and Kayla. Its rhythmic appeal cannot be denied.
Bristol
Place-name
"the site of the bridge"
Bristol Palin, the daughter of former Alaska governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, grabbed her own share of headlines after her pregnancy and having appearing on Dancing With The…
Huxley
English
"inhospitable place"
Huxley is definitely rising as a surname name, with its X that makes almost any name cooler. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015. The modern nicknames Hux and Huck certainly don't hurt. Last year,…
Mylo
Spelling variation of Milo, Latin or old German
"soldier or merciful"
Milo, Miles and even Myles are all well-known in the US, but the spelling Mylo is not widely used here though it ranks among the British Top 1000 names for boys . However you spell it, a friendly,…
Brixton
British place name
Brixton, a formerly rough but now cool-and-gentrified area of London, is also gaining notice as a baby name, especially for boys. About 20 baby girls were given the name in the US in the most recent…
Bode
German, Yoruba
"order, command; return"
Bode is a short and sharp name that has been on and off the US charts since the mid-2000s. Similar to on-trend choices such as Brooks, Beau, Boone, Brody, and Bodhi, Bode suffers a little, perhaps…
Chandler
English from French occupational name
"candle maker"
For a generation, this name will always be linked to 1990s hit TV series Friends . Whether this is a positive or a negative will depend on your fondness for the show, and character Chandler Bing, but…
Trace
Diminutive of Tracy, word name
"of Thracia; to discover or track down; to copy"
Undoubtedly inspired by country singer Trace Adkins, Trace is part update on 20th century fave Tracy, and part modern word name. Derived from Tracy, it originated as a Roman name meaning "of Thracia"…
Zyair
Variation of Zaire, Kongo
"the river that swallows all rivers"
One of the many new spellings of Zaire that has been climbing the charts lately.
Laylani
Variation of Leilani, Hawaiian
"heavenly flower"
A gentle-sounding name with a pretty meaning to match, Laylani is a close cousin to names like Lily and Layla that have been very trendy in the last few years. We're somewhat agnostic about this…