Fastest-Rising Girl Names 2023
- Aitana
Origin:
Spanish place-nameDescription:
Aitana is the name of a Spanish mountain used by the poet Rafael Alberti for his daughter. He reportedly chose it because the mountain was his last glimpse of Spain when he went into exile after the Spanish Civil War. The name was popularized by Aitana Alberti's goddaughter and namesake, actress Aitana Sanchez-Gijan. It became one of the fastest-rising girls names in 2016, after entering the US Top 1000 in 2015, and is among the most popular Spanish names for girls in its native Spain and beyond.
- Hunter
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"one who hunts"Description:
This surname gained momentum in the 1990s, when it was particularly in vogue for males. However, it seems to be experiencing a surge for females—it was one of the fastest-rising names of 2013, jumping 266 spots back into the Top 1000.
- Azariah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"helped by God"Description:
Though this is a popular name for men in the Bible, today it's used with this spelling for nearly equal numbers of girls and boys. The Azaria variation is much more often given to girls.
- Kya
Origin:
Spelling variation of Kaia, Latin, Scandinavian, or HawaiianMeaning:
"to rejoice or sea"Description:
Kya, a variation of the popular Kaia, the feminine form of the also-popular gender-neutral name Kai, was one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2023.
- Imani
Origin:
Arabic, SwahiliMeaning:
"faith"Description:
Another strong Arabic name, related to Iman. Imani one is popular throughout the Muslim world but especially East Africa. It was chosen for her daughter by actress Jasmine Guy.
- Aisha
Origin:
Arabic; SwahiliMeaning:
"living, prosperous"Description:
Aisha was Muhammad's favorite wife, making this lovely name and its myriad variations hugely popular among Muslims and also African-Americans. It's been energized by TV personality Aisha Tyler. Pronunciation is usually eye-EE-sha but some say ay-sha.
- Romina
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"from the land of the Christians"Description:
This pretty name found in Spanish-speaking countries shares the diminutive of Romy—also spelled Romi—with Rosemary. It joined the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
- Andi
Origin:
Diminutive of Andrea or Anderson, Greek or English from ScandinavianMeaning:
"strong and manly, son of Anders"Description:
Boyish nickname name that first heard in the Ricki/Terri era but finding new favor among parents who love names like Billie and Frankie, Scottie and Stevie. It was among the fastest-rising names in the US on the 2023 names chart.
- Anahi
Origin:
TupiMeaning:
"maize or immaculate"Description:
The name of a Guaraní princess killed by Spanish conquistadors in Tupi-Guarani legend. A Ceibo tree – the national flower of Argentina – is said to have bloomed in the spot where she died.
- Cielo
Origin:
Spanish word nameMeaning:
"sky"Description:
Like Araceli, Cielo is a heavenly name associated with the Virgin Mary. Cielo, the Spanish word for "sky," began being used as a name in honor of María del Cielo, a title for the Virgin Mary meaning "Mary of the Sky."
- Raquel
Origin:
Spanish variation of RachelMeaning:
"ewe"Description:
Attractive name popular in the Latino community, long identified with half-Bolivian actress Raquel Welch. Similarly to the Hebrew form Rachel, Raquel is past its peak. Nonetheless, it retains a certain sparkle and would feel newly refreshing for a baby today.
- Katelyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of CaitlinMeaning:
"pure"Description:
One of the most popular of the trendy Caitlin variations, Katelyn points directly to components Kate and Lyn --making it a bit more traditionally feminine.
- Mckinley
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of the fair hero"Description:
Presidential name that makes a fresh substitute for MacKenzie or McKenna. Possible spelling variations include MacKinley, MacKinlee, Makinleigh ad almost infinitum. McKinley is one of the Scottish names for girls that can work equally well for boys.
- 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.
- Emryn
Origin:
A modern invention, or a variant of EmrysDescription:
Sweet, contemporary, and with a hint of magic, Emryn was a new addition to the US Top 1000 in 2023. Combining that popular 'Em' beginning of Emma and Emily, the sounds of Erin and Evelyn, and the vibes of Elowyn, Bronwen and Wren, Emryn is fun, quirky, and currently cool.
- Briana
Origin:
Feminine variation of BrianMeaning:
"strong, virtuous, honorable"Description:
Spelled this way, Briana was coined by Edmund Spenser for his great literary work, The Faerie Queene, which gives the now-overexposed name a far classier pedigree than it's usually credited with.
- Antonella
Origin:
Spanish and Italian feminine variation of Anthony, LatinMeaning:
"from Antium"Description:
Antonella is a feminine form of Anthony growing in popularity throughout Latin America as well as in the US.
- Dallas
Origin:
Place name, surnamed and IrishMeaning:
"skilled"Description:
A name with a bit of glamor but also cowgirl vibes, Dallas entered the US Top 1000 for girls in 1992. It fell out of style during noughties, but reappeared in 2012 when other gender neutral names like River, Sawyer, Rowan, and Blake were also climbing fast.
- Kimora
Origin:
Modern name, meaning unknownDescription:
Afro-Asian model, designer, and entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons brought this name into the public eye and it enjoyed more than a decade in the Top 1000 during the 2000s and early 2010s. It peaked in 2008 when it reached the Top 300, but it has since been in decline, becoming an on-off visitor to the US charts.
The exact meaning of Kimora is unknown, though one possibility is that it's a nod the Japanese surname, Kimura, meaning "woods + village". Back in the US Top 1000 for 2023, Kimora could also feel like an updated form of Kim or Maura, and a spin on more popular Kora.
- Iliana
Origin:
Greek, Spanish variation of HelenMeaning:
"from Ilium or Troy; shining light"Description:
Iliana is one of the vaguely but usually undefinably international names that have a wide range of spellings and pronunciations. Ilium was the poetic name of the city of Troy, and variations of this name — especially Ileana and Ileanna — have been widely used, projecting a rather bohemian image. The traditional Greek pronunciation would be ee-lee-AH-nah while in English speaking countries, it might be ill-ee-AH-nah.