Hot New Names of the 2010s
- Baylor
Origin:
English occupational surnameMeaning:
"one who delivers goods"Description:
Baylor's 2014 ascension to the US Top 1000 for boys is probably thanks to its fashionable two-syllable, r-ending, occupational surname feel. Think of it as Taylor with a twist.
- Emerie
Origin:
Variation of Emery, English from GermanMeaning:
"industrious"Description:
Parents of female Emerie's would argue the suffix -ie makes it more feminine. It may also add a feeling of French flair. Clearly, there are enough thinking this to popularize it—the name entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
- Julieta
Origin:
Spanish variation of JulietMeaning:
"little Julia"Description:
The lovely Shakespearean Juliet is finding renewed interest as a baby name today, and Julieta is along for the ride, especially among Spanish families.
- Meilani
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Meilani may sound like a Hawaiian name, kind of a mashup of Leilani and Melanie, but it's actually an invention by that style-maven JWoww, AKA Jenni Farley of Jersey Shore, who used it for her daughter. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015.
- Jesiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah exists"Description:
There is much disagreement about the origin, meaning, or even existence of this name. Some sources cite Jesiah as the name of several minor Biblical figures, others say it's a variation of Josiah, still others call it a modern conflation of Josiah and Jesse.
- Gracelynn
Origin:
Combination of Grace and LynnMeaning:
"Grace + lake; pretty"Description:
With Grace mega popular and Gracie on the rise, this modern compound name provides a trendy alternative. With the vibes of Brooklyn and Evelyn and the contemporary feel of Oaklynn and and Emberlynn, Gracelynn is currently in the US Top 400.
- Ensley
Origin:
English surname, variation of AinsleyMeaning:
"one's own meadow"Description:
A unisex surname now seeing some use for girls, as it fits right in with such trendy crossover girls' names as Everly. Ellery and Emery, and others with the popular ly/leigh/lea ending
- Decker
Origin:
German occupational nameMeaning:
"roofer"Description:
Brawny name chosen for his son by rocker Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue.
- Violeta
Origin:
Spanish; Bulgarian; Romanian; Serbian; Lithuanian; AlbanianMeaning:
"purple; violet (flower)"Description:
Violeta is the variation of Violet found throughout various countries in Eastern Europe -- the name is styled this way in Bulgarian and Romanian as well as other languages -- and Spain, while Violetta is the Italian form. Violeta re-entered the Top 1000 in 2018. The Violetta spelling is given to about half as many baby girls. A lovely choice for parents who love Violet but want something more unusual.
- Kaysen
Origin:
Spelling variation of CasonDescription:
Trendy Cason is becoming popular enough to have a variety of offshoot spellings in the Top 1000.
- Tadeo
Origin:
Spanish variation of ThaddeusDescription:
Has a lot of energy and charm, as does the Italian form, Taddeo.
- Addilyn
Origin:
Variation of Adeline, FrenchMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Another spin on the mega-popular Adeline names, this form could stop any confusion about whether the ending is said lin, line, or leen, though with Adeline, Adaline, Adelyn, Adalyn, Adelina, and Adalynn all ranking above it, it may well be one of the last spellings people assume.
- Evelynn
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"desired; or water, island"Description:
This spelling variation of the classic Evelyn gives it a trendy makeover to fit in with the surge of names ending with -lynn suffixes. Recent counts have seen it given to around 1000 girls each year and it sits with the Top 400.
- Wesson
Origin:
Variation of Weston, EnglishMeaning:
"from the western town"Description:
This weapon name, linked to arms manufacturer Smith and Wesson, entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2016.
- Gibson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"Gilbert's son"Description:
An undiscovered patronymic surname, Gibson blends the cool, rugged feel of names like Bridger, Riggs, and Hudson with the clunky charm of names like Gilbert, Wilbur, and Digby. Associated with the popular brand of guitars, it could make an unexpected, music-related option.
- Zainab
Origin:
Variation of ZaynabDescription:
Zainab—the name of a flowering tree and of a granddaughter, daughter, and two wives of the Prophet Muhammed—was a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2013. While simplified variations Zaina or Zayna are more Western-friendly, neither makes the US list.
- Musa
Origin:
Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of MosesDescription:
With its gentle but solid sounds, Musa is a name that feels both dignified and energetic. The Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Moses, Musa is popular internationally, from The Netherlands to Turkey to The UK.
- Emmalyn
Origin:
English variation of Emmeline, French, or combination of Emma + -lynMeaning:
"work; universal"Description:
Variation of Emma with the popular suffix -lyn.
- Kye
Origin:
Spelling variation of KaiDescription:
With the rising popularity of Kai, this more phonetic spelling has been gaining traction as well. Kye debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015, and was one of the fastest-rising names of the year in 2016.
- Everlee
Origin:
Variation of Everly, EnglishMeaning:
"wild boar in woodland clearing"Description:
Like Ashley before it, Everly has been followed into the US charts by a number of spelling variations, one of which is Everlee. More distinctly feminine perhaps or a little sweeter in style, Everlee ranks in the US Top 500.
