Baby naming trends can be quite intriguing, often taking years or even decades for certain names to gain prominence. The Social Security Administration recently shared its list of the most popular baby names from last year, culled from data pertaining to social security card applications. This gives us a clear view of what parents chose for their little ones in 2018.
While names like Liam, Noah, and William for boys, and Emma, Olivia, and Ava for girls dominate the charts, there are some lesser-known names that are rapidly climbing the ranks. These “dark horse” names are often influenced by pop culture, showing surprising growth in popularity.
For instance, Meghan, the name of the Duchess of Sussex, soared 701 spots to become the fastest rising girl’s name. Similarly, Saint, the name of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s son, is the second fastest rising name for boys. Among girls, most of the names on the list are newcomers to the top 1,000, while for boys, only Kairo has previously appeared.
Girls’ Names:
- Meghan (+701) – This name skyrocketed from #1,404 to #703.
- Dior (+566) – A chic name that moved from #1,358 to #792.
- Adalee (+370) – A blend of Ada and Lee, jumping from #1,225 to #855.
- Palmer (+364) – From surname to trending name, rising from #1,043 to #679.
- Oaklynn (+346) – Increased from #888 to #364, also benefitting from the popularity of Oaklyn.
- Haisley (+343) – On the rise from #1,108 to #765, catching up to Paisley.
- Keily (+320) – Pronunciation is a mystery, but this name rose from #1,146 to #826.
- Novah (+316) – Jumped from #1,127 to #981, just like a supernova.
- Yara (+314) – Gained from #986 to #672, likely influenced by “Game of Thrones.”
- Ensley (+294) – Climbed from #967 to #673, nearly a 300-spot jump.
Boys’ Names:
- Genesis (+608) – Meaning “beginning,” this name jumped from #1,592 to #984.
- Saint (+438) – Up from #1,297 to #859, this name is making its mark.
- Baker (+431) – Rising from #1,143 to #712, this name is on the rise.
- Kairo (+321) – A mix of place names and K-names, moving from #803 to #482.
- Watson (+309) – Perhaps inspired by a celebrity or tech, it rose from #1,020 to #711.
- Kenzo (+303) – This name from a French fashion house increased from #1,176 to #873.
- Jaxtyn (+296) – Trendy spelling changes helped it jump from #1,067 to #771.
- Kylo (+287) – Thanks to “Star Wars,” it climbed from #1,152 to #865.
- Dakari (+263) – Meaning “rejoice,” this name entered the top 1000 from #1,173 to #910.
- Karsyn (+259) – A trendy twist on Carson, moving from #1,199 to #940.
These names may just be fleeting trends, or they could continue to rise. Either way, they are certainly worth keeping an eye on. If you’re looking for more information on baby names or assistance with planning for pregnancy, check out this excellent resource. For those interested in enhancing fertility, visit this blog post for tips. And if you have further questions on the topic, this authority site may be helpful.
In summary, baby names are an ever-evolving landscape, with some names rising dramatically in popularity, influenced by various cultural factors. Keep an eye on these emerging names as they could soon become the next big thing.