SSA Top 1000: Girl Names Ranked #1000

Adeline has a lovely, old-fashioned "Sweet Adeline" charm, but has become so popular in the US under so many spellings and variations — with Adalynn and Adalyn also popular — that considered together it is far more popular than it first seems. Adorable nickname Addie is also pervasive.

Alecia is a feminine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Alicia, which itself derives from the Germanic name Adelaide, meaning 'noble type' or 'noble kind.' This particular spelling variation gained popularity in the late 20th century as parents sought distinctive ways to spell traditional names. Alecia offers a slightly different visual appearance while maintaining the familiar pronunciation of Alicia (usually ah-LEE-sha or ah-LEE-see-ah). The name carries associations with nobility and refinement from its etymological roots while also feeling contemporary and accessible. Despite never reaching the popularity heights of Alicia or its variant Alyssa, Alecia provides a balance between recognizability and uniqueness, appealing to parents seeking familiar sounds with distinctive spelling.

Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.

Ammie is a feminine name that can be considered a variant spelling of Amy or a diminutive form of names containing 'am' sounds like Amanda or Amelia. The traditional name Amy comes from the Old French 'Amée,' meaning 'beloved,' which derives from the Latin 'amata,' having the same meaning. Ammie has a sweet, somewhat old-fashioned charm that peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, though it was never among the most common names. The double 'm' spelling gives the name a distinctive appearance while maintaining the familiar sound. Today, Ammie remains uncommon, appealing to parents who appreciate vintage-inspired names with a friendly, approachable quality.

Anabel is the sleekest version of this lovely name with so many variations, all of them correct. But Anabel and all her sisters -- Annabel, Annabelle, Anabella etc. -- took a downward turn after the 2014 horror film Annabelle.

Simple and yet distinctive, Ara is a mythological name of a famously handsome king. Although it originated as a boys' name, in the contemporary US, it's now much more commonly used for girls.

Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. A Top 50 choice in the UK, in the US in remains in the Top 300, given to around 1300 babies each year.

A name that is either inspired by the classic Harriet - and by the character Arrietty in The Borrowers - or, a compound name, merging Aria or Ari with Etta.

Both Ariana and Arianna sit comfortably in the US Top 100, so it makes sense that Aryana with the trendy y would join the fray. However, due to its inevitable confusion with the other spellings and the word "aryan" prominently displayed, it might be best to consider an alternative.

Atha is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural roots. It may derive from Greek origins meaning 'again' or 'back,' suggesting renewal. In Sanskrit traditions, Atha can mean 'beginning' or 'now,' carrying a sense of presence and mindfulness. The name also appears in various cultures with different interpretations—in Arabic contexts, it may relate to gifts or generosity. Atha's simplicity gives it an understated elegance, with just two syllables creating a balanced, rhythmic sound. Though uncommon in contemporary usage, the name's brevity makes it practical and distinctive. Its cross-cultural presence offers versatility while its rarity ensures uniqueness. Atha's minimalist structure aligns with the trend toward shorter names while its ancient roots provide historical depth.

Aubree and its big sister name Aubrey are both very widely used names, and if taken together would be among the most popular girl names. The Aubree spelling came into the limelight on the show Teen Mom 2.

Audie as a boys' name was made famous by Audie Murphy, the most decorated hero of World War II. Murphy was born one of ten children of a poor Texas sharecropper's family and the origins of his unusual first name are unknown. But there were 29 boys named Audie in 2013, more than twice the number of girls given the name, which can be a diminutive of Audrey.

Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.

Rarely heard today-- it fell off the list around 1980--Bernice is a biblical name of Greek origin. In the Bible, she is a sister of King Agrippa.

Buelah represents a spelling variation of the more common Beulah, a feminine name with Hebrew origins meaning 'married' or 'bride.' Appearing in the Bible (Isaiah 62:4), the name describes the relationship between God and Jerusalem. The Buelah spelling gained limited usage in the early 20th century, particularly in southern American communities. This name evokes a vintage charm reminiscent of the Victorian and early 20th century eras when it enjoyed modest popularity. After declining in use since the 1930s, Buelah retains an antique, almost folkloric quality that connects to rural American heritage. While the standard Beulah spelling is more recognized, Buelah offers a subtle variation for parents drawn to authentic vintage names with biblical roots and a distinctly traditional feminine sound.

Carleen is a feminine name that appears to be a blend of the prefix 'Car-' (found in names like Caroline or Carla) with the suffix '-leen' (as in Kathleen). It may have originated as a variation of Carlene or Charlene, names derived from masculine forms meaning 'free man' or 'manly.' Alternatively, it could represent a creative variation of Colleen, which comes from the Irish word for 'girl.' Carleen saw modest popularity in the United States during the 1940s-1960s but has since become uncommon, giving it a vintage mid-century quality. The name has a gentle, melodic sound while maintaining a certain strength. Its relative rarity today makes it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell, potentially appealing to parents seeking uncommon names with familiar phonetics.

This name was consistently in the boys' Top 200 until WW2. It's a name with so many dimensions to it: the hyper-masculine meaning, the surname-as-firstname trendiness, and the softer sound and connotation since homophone Carol was favoured in the 1940s and '50s for daughters. We think it's time for a resurgence of Carrolls amongst the boys.

Charlotte is a Top 10 name now and Charlie is hugely popular for both girls and boys, along with Charlee, Charli, Charleigh, and Charley for girls. So why does Charla have none of this fashion power? Only five baby girls were named Charla in the US last year.