New year, new names! As we kick off the new year, we decided to take a look at the baby names that are currently trending for newborn girls today. The baby name mega database Nameberry tracks the appellations searched on its website and correlates them with data collected by the Social Security Administration to come up with a data set that shows the names that are popular today that were not so ten years ago. Be prepared to be surprised!
Parents today are choosing more diverse names than ever before. Just a couple of decades ago, there was much more homogeny among baby appellations. That’s simply not the case today. From Anais to Zayla, so many unique appellations are trending for girls today. Discover the trendiest among them below.
Anais
Anais is a Catalan/Provencal form of Anna that comes from Hebrew and means “grace.” You can pronounce this darling appellation an-EYE-is or an-AY-is. The name first landed in the US top 1000 most popular baby names for girls in 2018 and has been trending ever since.
Celine
We have the legendary Celine Dion to thank for giving this name visibility in the US. The name bounced around the top 1000 through the 1990s and early 2000s before consistently ranking since 2012. It’s trendier today than ever before! The name is a French diminutive form of Celeste, which means “heavenly.”
Della
Della was a very popular given name in the US prior to the 1970s. It fell out of fashion from 1977 through 2017 before it staged a comeback in 2018. This trendy name is sharply on the rise today, and it’s tracking to best its previous popularity in the next few years. Della is a diminutive form of Adela, a name of German origin that means “noble.”
Elowyn
Cornish and Welsh names can be really tricky for American parents to pronounce. That’s not the case for the gentle-sounding Elowyn, which is totally accessible. We like the spelling Elowyn, but it’s totally acceptable to go with Elowen if you’d like. This Cornish name means “elm.”
Ezra
For a time, the name Ezra was given almost exclusively to boys in the US, but it is very much a gender-neutral option. In fact, the vowel ending makes it feel more feminine to us. Ezra is a top 100 name for boys today, but it has been rising for girls in a substantial way since 2018. Ezra is a name of Hebrew origin, and it means “help.”
Fallon
Fallon’s best year for girls was 1986, but its popularity fizzled out by the mid-1990s before it came back in 2019. It’s trending up today! Fallon is another gender-neutral name, and it is of Irish origin. However, it’s consistently been more popular for baby girls than boys. The root of the name means “leader.”
Freya
Freya is a Norse goddess name belonging to the deity with dominion over love, fertility, and beauty. Across the pond in the UK, the name has been popular for a very long time. It only caught on in the US in the last decade. It has enjoyed a meteoric rise, and it’s tracking to become a top 100 name for girls in 2023 or 2024. This name seemingly came out of nowhere, but we’re so glad American parents have discovered it. The appellation means “noble woman.”
Gemma
Gemma is a treasure of a name with Italian heritage. The name means “gem.” Similar to Freya, Gemma has been a popular option across the UK since the 1980s but it only recently caught on in the US in recent years. It’s been substantially climbing since 2008, and it shows no signs of slowing.
Harmony
Harmony is 100% a unisex name, but it has primarily gone to baby girls in the US. The name caught on in the 1970s but fell from favor by the mid-1980s. Harmony is back and more popular than ever before. A great option for music-loving parents or those who value peace, Harmony is trending for all the right reasons.
Indigo
Indigo is another one of the gender-neutral names on this list that has gone to more girls than boys. Despite being coined by the Ancient Greeks, the appellation feels totally fresh. It landed in the US top 1000 for the first time in 2021, and we expect it to keep the upward trend. This spectacular name allows you to use the nickname Indie which is a blast! The root of this name means “Indian dye.”
Jovie
According to Nameberry, Jovie is a modern invention, but we can’t help but think of it as a feminine form of the masculine name, Jove. Jove is one of the many names used for the mythological king of the Roman Gods, who also goes by Jupiter and Zeus. Jove is a name of Latin origin that means “sky father.” Jovie first ranked in the top 1000 in 2020, and it’s been trendy ever since.
Kori
Again, Kori is one of the gender-neutral names that goes primarily to baby girls in the US. Kori is mostly considered an alternative spelling of Corey, a name of Irish origin that means “from the hollow.” But it’s also a Kikuyu name (a language spoken primarily in Central Kenya) that means “lamb.” Kori is been off and on the top 1000 list since 1972. Gender-neutral names are red-hot at the moment, and this one is trendy, just like others in its class.
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Lainey
Lainey is a spelling variation of Laney, and it’s more popular than the original today. The name first landed in the top 1000 in 2003 and has shot up the charts since then. Lainey and Laney are both diminutive forms of Elaine, a French name from Greek that means “shining one.”
Marceline
Marceline spent almost 100 years out of the top 1000, last popular in the 1930s, before returning in 2020. Now that’s a comeback! Marceline is a name of French origin; it shares its root with Mars, the Roman god of war. The -line ending sweetens it slightly. Marceline means “little warrior.”
Mavis
Mavis enjoyed its peak popularity in the 1920s. 100 years later, the name is finally trendy again. Mavis has a vintage feel and timeless charm. The name is of French origin and means “songbird.” We are thrilled this one has staged a comeback.
Nairobi
Nairobi has never been in the US top 1000 names for boys or girls, but that will change in 2023. With the name Kenya being popular in the US, it’s fitting that Nairobi will also become favored. Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. The name is taken to mean “place of the cool waters.”
Opal
Opal is a grandma’s name that’s made a big comeback. It was a top-100 name and the most popular in the US in 1911. Expect to hear more of this trendy name in 2023. Opal is a name of Sanskrit origin that means “gem.” Opal has been prized by various cultures worldwide for millennia as a divine or lucky stone.
Olive
Olivia is a smash hit today, but we prefer her cousin, Olive. Parents today have been turning to this prized appellation, and it is tracking to best its best years in the 1880s in the next year or two. Olive is an English name from Latin that means… “olive tree.”
Persephone
Persephone has been quietly on the rise in recent years. It first landed in the top 1000 for girls in 2019. The name is associated with the Greek myth that finds the character with the same name as the Queen of the Underworld. Thus, the name is taken to mean “bringer of death.” That’s not stopping new parents from choosing this baby name. It’s one of our favorite names on this list!
Raya
Finally, American parents have discovered the Hebrew name, Raya. It ranked in the top 1000 for the very first time in 2020 and jumped into the top 500 (a truly remarkable feat) the following year. Raya has a gentle rhythmic sound, and it means “friend.” How lovely is that?
Salem
Salem is one of the unisex names that goes almost equally to boys and girls today. It only became trendy in the last couple of years. We love it! Salem can be pronounced SAIL-em or sah-LEM. The name is of Semitic origin and can be found in both Hebrew and Arabic. The appellation can be taken as a reference to the Biblical place or to mean “peace” or “safe.”
Sloane
Sloane is yet another one of the unisex names that are given mostly to baby girls in the US. It only became a contender in the last decade. The name is also spelled Sloan (which is also popular), but the Sloane spelling is given to more babies today. Sloane is an Irish import that means “raider,” but that’s not stopping parents from going for it.
Vida
Vida was a popular choice in the US prior to the 1950s. It took some time off from then until just two years ago when it reentered the top 1000. It’s one of our favorite names of Spanish origin. The name means “life,” and you can pronounce it VY-da or VEE-da.
Winter
Winter has never been as popular as its cousins, Summer and Autumn. It has an edge to it that the others lack. Parents have taken note! This seasonal name is now a very mainstream option. We expect this trendy name to enter the top 100 in the next year are two.
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Zayla
Nameberry believes the name Zayla is a modern invention. It seems just as real as other names on this list to us. The name first entered the US top 1000 in 2021 and has been a trendy option.
There you go! Now you know all of the trending girl names as we head into 2023. Some of these appellations are truly surprising, most of which we would conclude are pleasantly so. Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about the names that will dominate the year. We have trendy maximalist names to share with you as well.
Amadeus
Amadeus is a baby name for boys of Latin origin, meaning “lover of God.” Unsurprisingly, this name has never been popular in the US, but that is likely to change. Both Mia Farrow and Boris Becker have used the name for their sons.
Ambrosia
In Greek mythology, Ambrosia is food to the gods that brings them immortality. The Greek root of the word means “immortal.” Could this name for girls be the new Aurora? It’s possible!
Andromeda
Andromeda is a lot of name. It is of Greek origin and means “informing like a man.” In myth, the name belonged to a character who became a star. That’s why the constellation of the same name exists.
Casimir
Casimir is a boy’s name of Polish and Slavic origin, meaning “destroyer of peace” or “declarer of peace.” Casimir was last popular in the US before the 1940s. It could be time for a comeback.
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia is Andromeda’s mother and is also turned into a star in Greek myth. The meaning of this name is disputed, but it could be related to the cassia tree or berry.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra is a name associated with ancient Egypt and has never made the leap as a baby name in modern times. Cleopatra is a name of Greek origin and means “father’s glory.”
Draco
Not just a name for a Harry Potter baddy, Draco’s fortunes could very well change in the coming years. Draco is a name found in Greek and Latin naming traditions and means “dragon.”
Esmeray
Esmeray is a gorgeous name for girls of Turkish origin that is properly pronounced ESS-mer-eye. It has the delightfully romantic meaning of “dark moon.”
Euphemia
Euphemia was last popular as a baby name in the US in 1903! The name is of Greek origin and means “fair speech.” If you love the nickname Effie, this would be a great vehicle to get you there.
Evadne
Evadne was a new one for us that Nameberry believes has great potential. The baby name for girls is pronounced eh-VAD-nee. Its Greek root means “pleasant one.”
Iolanthe
Iolanthe is a French name for girls from Greek that means “violet flower.” You will want to pronounce this one yo-lan-thuh. If you love violet flowers but feel the name Violet is too plain, you know what to do.
Jiraiya
Jiraiya is a name for boys of Japanese origin, meaning “young thunder.” The name landed in the US top 1000 most popular baby names for the first time in 2021. Pronounce this baby name with emphasis on the second syllable, like jih-RY-ah.
Lazarus
Lazarus is a Latinate form of a Hebrew name, meaning “God is my helper.” Most will recall the story from the bible in which Jesus raised a character with the same name from the dead. Despite being well-known, the name has never been popular in the US. That’s set to change.
Lysander
Lysander is a baby name for boys of Greek origin with the great meaning “liberator.” Lysander has historical connections as it was the name of an esteemed Spartan naval commander. It’s got potential!
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Morpheus
Morpheus is a baby name for boys of Greek origin that names the god of sleep and dreams. Thus, the meaning of this name is “shape” or “form.” Although the name is well-worn in pop culture and literature, it has yet to land on many birth certificates in the US.
Myfanwy
Prepare to have to correct pronunciation often with a name like Myfanwy. Myfanwy is a name of Welsh origin, which are notoriously tricky for Americans to pronounce. This name for girls is said muh-VAHN-wee. A treasured choice in Wales, this name has the sweet meaning of “my lovely little one.”
Oberon
The Shakespearean character Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is King of the Fairies. We like the Oberon spelling, but some prefer Auberon. Either way, the name is of Germanic origin and means “noble.”
Octavius
Octavius is a name of Latin origin that means “eighth.” The name had blips of popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s but has gone largely unused in the US. We are big fans of this name and think it would be perfect for a boy born on the 8th or in August.
Ottoline
Ottoline is a French and English diminutive form of Ottilie, a German name that means “prosperous in battle.” Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter Marlowe. Unique celebrity baby names tend to catch on.
Persephone
Persephone has been quietly on the rise in recent years. It first landed in the top 1000 for girls in 2019. The name is associated with the Greek myth that finds the character with the same name as the Queen of the Underworld. Thus, the name is taken to mean “bringer of death.” That’s not stopping new parents from choosing this baby name.
Perseus
Perseus is a storied Greek name that means “destroyer.” According to the myth, he was a great hero and destroyer of beasts. He is even credited with slaying the gorgon Medusa. With names like Atticus and Orion taking flight, this one could follow their trajectory.
Valerian
Valerian is a name of Latin origin that means “strength.” The name belonged to a Roman Emperor. We think this baby name for boys has tons of potential.
Venus
Venus, the name of the Roman goddess of love, has seen its ups and downs in the US. It last made the top 1000 in 1982. Venus Williams made this baby name seem like a real possibility again. It means “desire.”
Wednesday
Wednesday will enjoy some popular years thanks in no small part to the smash hit Netflix series of the same name. Wednesday is of English origin and belonged to a pagan god in the form of Woden. Wednesday translates to “Woden’s Day.”
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Wolfgang
We started with Amadeus, and we will end with Wolfgang for a fun little Mozart twist. Wolfgang is a name for boys of German origin, meaning “traveling wolf.” The name has fallen out of fashion in its country of origin, but Nameberry thinks it will have its day in the US in the coming years.
There you go! What did you think of these big, bold, maximalist baby names? We certainly hope so! Happy baby name hunting.
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