Hot New Names of the 2010s

While we're definite fans of Zaire -- the former name of the country now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- the "Y" really isn't necessary. This spelling variation debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016.

Kenia debuted on the US Top 1000 list in 1992. Even though it currently ranks higher than original spelling Kenya, this is a hard sell as it alters the spelling of the African nation.

All names connected with royalty have become increasingly popular in recent years, and King variation Kyng is no exception. Some parents may feel that the Kyng spelling makes it more of a name and less of a royal title, but both names sound the same and have identical meanings, so why endlessly complicate spelling and pronunciation?

This extra-trendy -ee suffix helped Hadlee ride the wave of Hadley's popularity into the US Top 1000 in 2013.

With the rise of Cameron, we've seen more and more spellings join the Top 1000—Kamryn, Camryn, and Kameron are just a few. This spelling consistently ranks much higher for girls than boys, which isn't too surprising with its K and Y that make it look very similar to Kathryn.

This male name uses the popular feminine suffix -ee, so if you're set on this name we'd suggest using Kyrie.

The rise of Ayla seems to have revived this variation.

A newcomer to the US popularity charts, likely influenced by the popularity of similar names Camila and Camilla.

Genesis, meet Jennifer. This spelling of Genesis — the first book in the Bible — is comfortably in the Top 1000.

Harley in a dress.

An unnecessarily complex retooling of Paisley, one of the most popular girl names that start with P.

As Kinsley rises in the ranks, so do its variations. Kinslee broke into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2014.

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.

A spelling variation of Kylie, an Aboriginal name first popularized by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It’s now associated with Kylie Jenner, whom parents might be attempting to distance themselves from with this version of the name.

This car name is made even worse by the trendy -ee suffix. If you've got your heart set on this name, consider going with the original spelling.

Not a journey so much as a jaunt to the corner store.

Writer Bill Bryson may have played some role in popularizing this surname-name, which might be considered a latter-day Brian (or Bryan). We prefer Bryson.

Why use one x when you can use two?

With Harmony on the rise, this spelling variation is getting some attention as well. It was a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2015.

Prior to 2013, this name was unheard of. That was the year that Larry Hernandez, singer and star of reality show Larrymania, gave the name to his daughter. It has now entered the US Top 1000, following in the footsteps of Daleyza, the invented name Hernandez bestows upon his older daughter.