Popular girl names for 2023

Alexa was a steadily popular modern classic until Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa was released in 2013. It remains relatively well used in the US despite this, though its standing keeps dropping for obvious reasons. Too bad, because it's a strong and pretty name (which is probably why Amazon used it.)

A variation of mega popular name Emma and all of her cousins, Emmie came back to the US Top 1000 for the first time in 80 years in 2016. It's phonetically the same as more popular Emmy, but this option may avoid the award show connection. We could see it rising in future years.

Old-fashioned nickname with sweet turn-of-the-last-century charm that's become a favorite among the popular girl names starting with A of today. In fact, with all spellings of Adeline/Adalynn taken together firmly in the Top 10, and Adelaide and Addison also high in the charts, Addie is one of the most frequently-heard short forms around. But no matter how popular (or pandemic) it gets, Addie is undeniably one of the cutest names for baby girls. Little girls might like the fact that it's the name, though spelled Addy, of an American Girl series doll.

This variant of Gianna has been in the US Top 1000 for most of the 21st century and hit a peak in 2010 at Number 568. The original spelling outranks the trimmed down version by far.

This simplified spelling of Claire does not improve on the more popular version.

Quin is a concise, gender-neutral name that has been increasingly used for girls. It originated as a shortened form of names like Quincy, Quinlan, or Quintana, ultimately derived from the Latin 'quintus' meaning 'fifth.' The name has Irish connections through surnames like Quinn (from Ó Cuinn, meaning 'descendant of Conn'). Quin's simplicity gives it a modern, streamlined appeal that fits contemporary naming trends favoring short, gender-flexible names. For girls specifically, it offers a strong yet feminine option without frills or elaboration. The name has grown in popularity since the early 2000s but remains relatively uncommon. Its brief, punchy sound and rich cultural heritage make it appealing for parents seeking a name that's both substantive and stylish.

Anabell is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Annabel or Anabel, which themselves are variants of Amabel, derived from the Latin 'amabilis' meaning 'lovable.' This spelling variation adds a distinctive touch while maintaining the name's elegant sound. The name gained literary recognition through Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'Annabel Lee,' which added romantic and somewhat melancholic associations. Anabell combines the popularity of Anna names with the appealing '-bell' ending that became fashionable in the late 20th century. While less common than Annabelle or Annabel, this spelling offers a slightly more modern feel. The name carries connotations of beauty, grace, and sweetness, and allows for nicknames like Ana, Annie, or Belle, giving its bearers flexibility in how they present themselves.