The 25 Most Popular Baby Girl Names of the Decade

For many parents, one of the best parts of the “expecting” process is choosing a name. Why wouldn’t it be given naming your child has the potential to last a lifetime, can reflect core values or be an homage to someone meaningful in your life?  However,  for others, choosing a name for a newborn isn’t always an easy task.

Now on to the 25 most popular baby girl names of the decade (2010 – 2019).(Please note: This only includes data through 2018. We doubt 2019 data will change much, though.)

1. Emma

Emma tops the U.S list as the most popular name for girls over the past decade after becoming a top 10 name in in the early 2000’s. It’s no surprise because we all know a ton of Emmas! 

• Name Origin: Feminine name from the Germanic word ermen
• Name Meaning: whole or universal
• Countries where name Emma is popular: English speaking countries and wester Europe
• Related names: Emily, Emmy, Em, Irma, Emilie, Emmeline, Amelia
• Famous Emmas: Emmas Watson, Emma Stone, Emma Roberts, Emma Thompson or Emma of Jane Austin fame.

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2. Sophia

Sophia is a very old Greek name whose origin dates back to the 4^th century.  In more modern times, it was popularized in Britain by the German House of Hanover in the 18th century. The name means wisdom. Jude Law and Christian Slater both have daughters named Sophia.  Even today, Sophia is one of the most popular girls’ name in the whole world!

• Name Origin: Female name Greek in origin
• Name Meaning: Sophos is the Greek word for wisdom
• Countries where name Sophia is popular: English speaking countries and Western Europe
• Related names: Sophie, Sofia,
• Famous Sophias: Sophia Loren, Sophia Bush, Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Sophia Vergara

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3. Olivia

Olivia is the female form of Oliver and was made popular by Shakespeare in “Twelfth Night” and has been popular in the English speaking world since the mid 1990’s

• Name Origin: A feminine name derived from Latin
• Name Meaning: Olive
• Countries where name Olivia is popular: English speaking countries and some Western Europe
• Related names:  Liv, Livvy, Ollie, Olive, Oliva, Olivetta,
• Famous Olivias: Olivia Newton-John, Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn, Olivia de Havilland, Olivia Coleman and Olivia Pope from “Scandal”

Kerry Washington’s character on Scandal was also named Olivia. Olivia Pope, to be precise.

4. Isabella

Isabella is a Romance language name and originates from Hebrew Elisheba or mideival Elizabeth.  Isabella was originally used in France, Spain and Portugal. It’s popularity skyrocketed over the last decade. Common nicknames are ‘Izzy’ and ‘Bella.’  It’s English version is Elizabeth

• Name Origin: A feminine name derived from Hebrew and is the Latin for of Isabel
• Name Meaning: consecrated to God
• Countries where name Isabella is popular: English, Spanish and Italian speaking countries and some Western European nations
• Related names:  Bella, Izzy, Lizzy, Elsa, Elizabeth, Isabelle, Isobel, Isabel
• Famous Isabellas: Isabella Rosselini, Queen Isabella of Spain,  Bella Hadid, Bella Swan of “Twilight”

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5. Ava

The name Ava has become very popular in the last two decades for girls and is more commonly seen spelled as Eva.  It’s popularity grew recently after many celebs started naming their daughters Ava, such as Resse Witherspoon and Heather Locklear.

• Name Origin: Hebrew and Latin
• Name Meaning: Bird or Like a bird
• Countries where name Ava is popular: U.S. Canada, Australia and New Zeland
• Related names:  Eva, Eve, Avery, Avaline, Avalon, Aviana, Avis
• Famous Avas: Ava Gardner, Ava Phillipe, Eva Longoria, Eva Mendes, Eva Peron, Eva Gabor

6. Mia

Mia is also Hebrew in origin and means “bitter.”.   It also has origins in Italian, Spanish for “mia” meaning ”mine”. Last, Mia is commonly used as a nickname for Maria

• Name Origin:  Hebrew and Intalian and Spanish
• Name Meaning: bitter in Hebrew or “mine” in Italian, Spanish languages.
• Countries where name Mia is popular: U.S and Australia
• Related names:  Maria, Mary, Mariam, Amelia, Amalia, Emilia
• Famous Mias: Mia Hamm, Mia Farrow, Mia Wasikowska and Mia Wallace of ‘Pulp Fiction’ fame

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7. Abigail

Abigail is first seen in the Bible as King David’s third wife.  A bit of an old-fashioned name, Abigail is coming back with the retro-cool vengeance of other “vintage” names like Beatrice and Violet.

• Name Origin:  Female Hebrew name
• Name Meaning: Father rejoiced or father’s joy
• Countries where name Abigail is popular: English speaking countries and more recently Mexico and Chile
• Related names:  Abbey, Abbigail, Abigayle, Abby, Abigale
• Famous Abigails: Abigail Breslin, Abigail Adams, Abigail Disney, and Abbey Bartlett, First Lady on ‘The West Wing’

8. Emily

Emily is Latin and means industrious. It comes from the Roman family name Aemilius, which is derived from aemulus, meaning ‘rival, trying to equal or excel’

• Name Origin:  Latin
• Name Meaning: Industrious
• Countries where name Emily is popular: English speaking countries, Germany Netherlands and Italy
• Related names:  Emilie, Emilia, Amelia, Lily, Lilly, Amy,
• Famous Emilys: Emily Blunt, Emily Dickinson, Emily Post, Emily Ratajkowski, Emily VanCamp

9. Madison

Madison has fallen out of fashion as a boy’s name and is now primarily chosen for girls. The rise of Madison’s popularity can be seen after the launch of the move ‘Splash’ Sissy Spacek has a daughter named Madison.

• Name Origin:  Old English origin and started as a surname, which meant  “Mad’s son”
• Name Meaning: Mad is short for matthew (gift from god) in the middle ages
• Countries where name Madison is popular: Primarily English speaking countries
• Related names:  Maddie, Maddy, Maud
• Famous Madisons: Maddie Zeigler

10. Charlotte

Charlotte is French in origin and means “free man. And the name dates back to the 14^th century.

• Name Origin:  France
• Name Meaning: free man and is the female form of Charlot, a diminutive of Charles
• Countries where name is popular: English speaking countries, Germany, Scandinavia, Netherlands, and Switzerland
• Related names:  Carlota, Charlie, Lottie, Lola,
• Famous Charlottess: Charlotte Bronte, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge,  Charlotte Rae, Charlotte York from ‘Sex and the City

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11. Elizabeth

Elizabeth remains a timeless classic due to its affinity for various nicknames such as Beth, Liz, Lizzie, Eliza, and Liza.  It also has many derivations in other languages such as Isabella in Spanish and Elsa for Germanic languages.

• Name Origin:  Hebrew
• Name Meaning:  consecrated to God
• Countries where name is popular: English speaking countries, Chile, Mexico, Czech Republic and Netherlands
• Related names:  Beth, Isabella, Elsa, Lizzy, Liz, Liza, Eliza
• Famous Elizabeths: Queens Elizabeth I and II, Elizabeth Taylor, Elizabeth Hurley, Elizabeth Smart, Elizabeth Banks, St. Elizabeth, Elizabeth Shue and many, many more!

12. Amelia

Amelia is the English version Amalia derived form the Germanic word amal, which means ‘work’.  As with many names on this list, the name exists in other languages such as Spanish, Italian, Polish and Scandinavian countries.

• Name Origin: English version of Germanic word ‘ama’
• Name Meaning:  Like Emily it means industrious
• Countries where name is popular: Western Europe and English speaking countries
• Related names:  Emily, Amalie, Amy, Millie, Mel, Minnie
• Famous Amelias: Amelia Earhart, Princess Amelia of the UK, Minnie Driver, Amelia Thermopolous from ‘Princess Diaries’

13. Chloe

Of Greek origin, Chloe is another name for Demeter, the goddess of harvest and fertility. Some people spell Chloe with a “K.”

• Name Origin: Greek
• Name Meaning:  Blooming or fertility
• Countries where name is popular: Western Europe and English speaking countried
• Related names:  Khloe, Demeter,  
• Famous Chloes: Khloe Kardashian, Chloe Sevigny, Chloe Grace Moretz, Aunt Chloe from ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’

There’s a famous luxury fashion brand called Chloé as well, if you are looking to add a little glamour to your baby name.

14. Ella

Many celebrities that have named their daughters Ella: John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Warren Beatty and Annette Benning, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, and Mark Wahlberg.

• Name Origin: English
• Name Meaning:  Light or beautiful fairy woman
• Countries where name is popular: Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Netherlands, English speaking countries
• Related names:  Eleanor, Ellen , Elle, Elizabeth, Elia
• Famous Ellas: Ella Fitzgerald,  Ella Henderson, Cinderella

But our favorite, forever and for always, will be Ella Enchanted, an underrated movie starring Anne Hathaway as the titular Ella.

15. Evelyn

Evelyn was very popular in the early 1900s and then resurfaces 100 years later.  is English in origin and means “wished for.” Bruce Willis has a daughter with the name.

• Name Origin: English
• Name Meaning:  wished for child
• Countries where name is popular: Mainly English speaking countries
• Related names:  Evie, Evaline, Eveline, Eveleen, Aveline, Eve
• Famous Evelyns: Evelyn “Champagne” King, Evelyn Ashford,

16. Harper

What used to be considered a boys name in the 1800s, Harper gained mainstream popularity when author Harper Lee published her classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird.  Victoria and David Beckham have a daughter named Harper, as well

• Name Origin: English
• Name Meaning:  harp player
• Countries where name is popular: Mainly English speaking countries
• Famous Harpers: Harper Beckham, Harper Lee

17. Grace

Grace follows in the vein of other virtuous-sounding names like Hope and Faith that mean exactly what they say. The name was made popular by 17^th century Puritans

• Name Origin: Latin
• Name Meaning:  from gratia which means God’s favor or thanks
• Countries where name is popular: English speaking countries
• Related names:  Gracie, Graciela,
• Famous Graces: Grace Kelley, Grace Jones, Grace Slick, Gracie Allen, Gracie Gold and Grace Adler from ‘Will and Grace’ fame

And if you’re old enough to remember the show Grace Under Fire, you know this name is a good fit for a strong woman..

18. Addison

Addison was first intended to be a boy’s name. It means “son of Adam”—but that’s changed.

• Name Origin: Old English
• Name Meaning:  Son of Adam with Adam meaning “from earth”
• Countries where name is popular: English speaking countries
• Related names:  Addy, Addie, Madison, Adelade, Adeline
• Famous Addisons:  Addison DeWitt was an iconic character from the classic movie All About Eve and teenage social media stars

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19. Victoria

Victoria is, and probably always will be, a very popular girls’ name.With stars like former Spice Girl-turned-bonafide-fashion-designer Victoria Beckham rocking the name, it will probably be with us for a while. It’s a classic, just like Elizabeth. And equally as British.

• Name Origin: Latin
• Name Meaning:  Victory, Victorious; Roman goddess of Victory
• Countries where name is popular: Western Europe and English speaking countries
• Related names:  Vicki, Vicky, Tori, Torie, Vivi, Vicka
• Famous Victorias: Victoria Beckham, Queen Victoria, Nicki Minaj, Victoria Justice

20. Natalie

Believe it or not, Natalie is a perfect name for a Christmas baby. Though derived from Latin, it’s the French or English version of the Russian name Natalia, which means “born on Christmas.”

• Name Origin: Latin
• Name Meaning:  natale domini, “birthday from the Lord”
• Countries where name is popular: English speaking and Scandianvian
• Related names:  Natalia, Natalee, Nathalie,
• Famous Natalies:  Natalie Portman, Natalie Dormer, and Natalie Wood.

21. Lily

The name Lily is taken directly from the flower which bears the same name. The flower itself carries with it meanings of “rebirth,” “pure,” and “passion.” Those are three great qualities or ideas to have associated with your baby girls’ name!

• Name Origin: English
• Name Meaning:  Lily flower, which symbolizes innocence purity and beauty
• Countries where name is popular: English speaking countries, Scandinavia, Belgium, Switzerland
• Related names:  Lillian, Liliana, Lilith
• Famous Lilys:  Lily Collins, Lily Tomlin, Lily Evans Potter, Harry Potter’s mom and Lily Luna Potter the daughter of Harry Potter

22. Aubrey

The name Aubrey has its origins in German and is derived from “Alberic,” which means “Fair ruler of the little people.” Fancy that!

• Name Origin: The Norman French derivation of the Germanic name Alberic
• Name Meaning:  Fair ruler of little people
• Countries where name is popular: Canada, UK, U.S.
• Related names:  Aubree, Aubrie
• Famous Aubreys: Aubrey Plaza, Aubrey Peeples, Aubrey O’Day and Aubrey Graham AKA the rapper Drake

23. Lillian

Like Lily, the name Lillian references the lily flower. It is a Latin name taken from the word “Lillium,” which means the flower lily.

• Name Origin: English derived from the name Lily
• Name Meaning:  Lily flower, which symbolizes innocence purity and beauty
• Countries where name is popular: Canada, UK, U.S. and Norway
• Related names:  Lily, Lilly, Lillith
• Famous Lillians: Lillian Disney, Saint Lillian, Lillian Reardon from ‘Atlas Shrugged’

24. Zoey

The name Zoey has its origins in Greek and means, simply, “life.” A pretty perfect name for a new baby when you think about it!

• Name Origin: Greek
• Name Meaning:  Life
• Countries where name is popular: English speaking countries and Netherlands
• Related names:  Zoe, Zowie, Zoie, Zoya
• Famous Zoeys:  Zoey Decshanel, Zoe Saldana, Zoe Kravitz,

25. Hannah

Hannah comes from Hebrew and means “grace” or “favor.” According to the Dictionary of First Names, the name ultimately means, “He (God) has favoured me [with a child].” So… pretty perfect choice, then!

• Name Origin: Hebrew from the name Channah
• Name Meaning:  Old Testament name for favor or grace
• Countries where name is popular: Western Europe and English speaking countries
• Related names:  Hanna, Anna, Anne
• Famous Hannahs:  Hannah Storm, Hannah Jeter, Hannah Montana played by Miley Cyrus and Lena Dunham’s character on Girls, one of the defining shows of the decade, was also named Hannah.