Choosing the perfect name for your little one can be a daunting task. With so many options out there, it can be challenging to find a name that both you and your child will love for years to come. Fortunately, every year brings a fresh crop of names to consider, and we’ve got the inside scoop on the latest trends. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has finally published the top names for 2022, and 91 names debuted in the top 1000 for the first time.
We’ve compiled a list of the 80 best new baby names making waves in the top 1000 most popular appellations in the US. From classic monikers with a modern twist to fresh, unique options, these names will inspire your search for the perfect name for your bundle of joy.
Best New Names for Girls
1-4 Names Ranked by Newly Most Popular
- 1. Amayah – The highest-ranking (701st) new entry for 2022 is Amayah. Amayah appears to be a Semitic name found both in Arabic and Hebrew and means “close to God” or “night rain.”
- 2. Wrenlee – The Wrenlee spelling variant of Wrenley also ranked very high. Both names are modern inventions, combinations of Wren + Lee or Ley.
- 3. Arlet – Arlet was the third highest-ranking new addition. It is a variant of the Spanish name Arleth or its French form, Arlette. The means “noble.”
- 4. Love – Love is an English word name that debuted in 2022 in the 754th spot.
5-8
- 5. Jream – An unlikely contender, Jream is a spelling variant of Dream.
- 6. Marigold – An English flower name, Marigold, belongs to a golden flower and has been a symbol of the Virgin Mary for a very long time.
- 7. Sol – Sol is now hot for baby girls. This unisex name is of Spanish and Portuguese origin and means “sun.” It’s also a feminine Norse sun goddess name.
- 8. Zhuri – A spelling variant of Zuri, a name of Kiswahili origin, meaning “beautiful.”
9-12
- 9. Yamileth – A brilliant new addition, Yamileth is a name of Arabic origin, meaning “beautiful.”
- 10. Amiri – Already making the list for boys in 2021, Amiri did the same for girls in 2022. This multi-cultural unisex name is found in Maori, Arabic, and Hebrew naming traditions. It can mean “the east wind,” “king,” and “treetop.”
- 11. Elowyn – Elowyn is a gentle Cornish name that means “elm tree.”
- 12. Georgina – Now, Georgina has been popular in the US before, but it fell out of the top 1000 in 1992. The name is back after some decades off. It’s a female form of the name George, meaning “farmer.”
13-16
- 13. Araya – Araya is a name of Armenian origin that means “king.”
- 14. Yasmin – Another name that has returned to the top 1000 is Yasmin. The name is of Persian origin and means “jasmine flower.”
- 15. Sapphire – Joining the likes of Ruby and Pearl, Sapphire is now a top baby name in the US. A name of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin lineage, the name means “blue.”
- 16. Kenia – A spelling variant of Kenya, Kenia is now a top baby name. The country’s name means “mountain of white.”
17-20
- 17. Scottie – New parents saw an opportunity in 2022 to use the old man name Scottie for their daughters. The baby name has completely flipped from boy to girl today. This name comes from Scotland and means “Scot.”
- 18. Carla – After taking several years off of the top 1000, the baby name Carla has returned. The name is a feminine form of Carl, and it means “free man.”
- 19. Rosalina – Completely new to the top 1000, Rosalina is a name of Spanish origin that means “rose.”
- 20. Lenora – Lenora fell from favor in the 1970s, and after a few decades, she has returned. The name is a shortened form of Leonora, meaning “light.”
21-24
- 21. Lisa – Lisa had been on a downward trend for decades before bouncing back in 2022. This baby name is a form of Elizabeth in many naming traditions. It comes from a Hebrew root that means “pledged to God.”
- 22. Nori – The Japanese baby name Nori has arrived stateside. This adorable name can mean different things depending on the Kanji used to construct it. “Seaweed” and “doctrine” are two possibilities.
- 23. Maddie – For parents across the UK, choosing nicknames as given names has long been a huge trend. Maddie, a nickname for Madeline or Madison, is now a popular given name. The name means “high tower.”
- 24. Luz – Luz is back! It is among the most popular names for Spanish-speaking parents to give their children. This name is pronounced exactly the same as the word “loose.” It means “light” and refers to the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Light.
25-28
- 25. Casey – Baby name Casey is back! The name is a unisex choice of Irish origin that means “brave in battle.”
- 26. Laylani – Laylani is a spelling variant of the Hawaiian name Leilani, and it’s gained some traction. This winner means “heavenly flower.”
- 27. Tru – A misspelling of True, Tru is also now popular.
- 28. Lottie – You would have to travel back in time before the 1960s to see the name Lottie on many birth certificates. The name is a diminutive form of Charlotte, meaning “free man.”
29-32
- 29. Meilani – This name is a modern invention.
- 30. Nathalia – A Portuguese form of Natalia, Nathalia is a baby name that means “Christmas.”
- 31. Sarahi – Sarahi has been an on-and-off baby name for many years. It’s back in the top 1000 in 2022. The name is a spelling variant of Sarai, a name from Hebrew, and means “princess.”
- 32. Inaya – A name completely new to the top 1000, Inaya is of Arabic origin and means “concern.”
33-36
- 33. Keily – A spelling variant of Kylie of Scottish origin, meaning “narrow piece of land.”
- 34. Lakelynn – Here’s an interesting one that’s brand new to the top 1000 baby names. Lakelynn is a modern invention. Curiously, Lynn is a name of Welsh origin, meaning “lake.” So this name is lake-lake.
- 35. Rowyn – A spelling variant of Rowan, from Irish and Scottish, meaning “rowan tree” or “little redhead.”
- 36. Elisabeth – A spelling variant of Elizabeth with a Hebrew root that means “pledged to God.”
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37-40
- 37. Belle – After a few years, Belle is back. This is a baby name of French origin, meaning “beautiful.”
- 38. Saanvi – Saanvi is a name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “follower of Lakshmi.”
- 39. Xyla – A baby name completely new to the top 1000, Xyla is of Greek origin and means “from the wood.”
- 40. Winona – After fifty years off the list, Winona is back. It is a name of Sioux origin, meaning “firstborn girl.”
Best New Names for Boys
1-4 Baby Names Ranked by Newly Most Popular
- 1. Kayce – Kayce was the number one most popular baby name to enter the top 1000 for boys in 2022. It is a spelling variant of Case and is pronounced the same by most parents. We have the Yellowstone TV show to thank for this one.
- 2. Karim – Karim is back, baby! Karim is a name of Arabic origin, meaning “noble.”
- 3. Koen – Technically, Koen is a Dutch short form of the name Coenraad, meaning “bold advisor.” But, the name might also be seen as a spelling alternative to Cohen, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning “priest.”
- 4. Zamir – Brand new to the list, Zamir is a name of Hebrew origin that means “nightingale.”
5-8
- 5. Dutton – Another name helped along by Yellowstone in 2022 was Dutton. It is a unisex name of English origin, meaning “from the hill town.”
- 6. Khaza – A name of Arabic origin that we are so happy to see in the top 1000 for the first time is Khaza. This baby name means “treasure,” and we feel like it’s one too.
- 7. Sevyn – A misspelling of Seven, Sevyn can likely be considered unisex.
- 8. Crue – Crue is a variant of Crew. It entered the top 1000 for the first time in 2022.
9-12
- 9. Kolson – Colson with a K, meaning “Nicholas’ son.” A first-time baby name in the top 1000.
- 10. Murphy – A unisex name that was more popular for girls than boys in 2022, Murphy returned to the top 1000 after a few years off. This name is of Irish origin, meaning “sea warrior.”
- 11. Weylon – A new spelling variant of Waylon to enter the top 1000, Weylon is of English origin and means “from the land beside the road.”
- 12. Chosen – Chosen is a unisex English word name that ranked for boys for the first time in 2022. It has not yet climbed that high for girls.
13-16
- 13. Jairo – It’s back! Jairo is a Spanish variation of Jairus, meaning “sacred name.”
- 14. Dion – After almost two decades out of the top 1000 for boys, Dion has made a comeback. This baby name is of Greek origin, meaning “child of earth and heaven.”
- 15. Jrue – As with Jream for girls, Jrue for boys is rising. It landed in the top 1000 for the first time in 2022. This name is considered unisex as it is a spelling choice for Drew.
- 16. Kaizen – First-timer, Kaizen is a name of Japanese origin that means “good change.” How great is that!?
17-20.
- 17. Kaisen – Not far behind Kaizen is Kaisen which is a modern invented name containing the Hawaiian name Kai, meaning “sea.”
- 18. Zen – A new name to the top 1000, Zen has emerged as a favored choice for boys, but it is unisex. The name is of Japanese origin, meaning “meditation.”
- 19. Rhodes – Rhodes is a unisex name of Greek origin that made it into the top 1000 for the first time with boys in 2022. Actor Emma Roberts chose the name for her son in 2020, and clearly, parents took note.
- 20. Duncan – After a year off the chart, Duncan is back in the top 1000. This name is of Scottish origin and means “dark warrior.”
21-24
- 21. Westyn – A spelling variant of the English name Weston, meaning “from the western settlement.”
- 22. Ryatt – Landing in the top 1000 for the first time in 2022, Ryatt sounds like “riot,” but we guess the spelling softens it.
- 23. Shmuel – A name of Hebrew origin that’s a variant of Samuel, meaning “told by God,” Shmuel first landed in 2017 before dropping off the charts until 2022.
- 24. Yahya – An Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Yochanan, Yahya has bounced in and out of the top 1000 over the last several years. The name means “God is gracious.”
25-28
- 25. Ezrah – A spelling variant of Ezra, a unisex name of Hebrew origin, meaning “help.” The name landed in the top 1000 for the first time in 2022 and is currently more popular for boys than girls.
- 26. Teo – A delightful diminutive of the Spanish name Teodoro, meaning “gift of god,” Teo is now a top 1000 name.
- 27. Eren – Newcomer, Eren is a Turkish baby name for boys, meaning “holy person.”
- 28. Cedric – Cedric is back after an absence. The name is of Celtic origin and means “bounty.”
29-32
- 29. Terry – Terry is back for boys! The name is a short form of Terence which comes from Latin but has an unclear meaning.
- 30. Cartier – A name of French origin, Cartier means “carter.” It is new to the top 1000 and more popular for boys than girls today.
- 31. Kamryn – A puzzling spelling of Cameron, Kamryn has been more popular for girls than boys, but now both are in the top 1000. The name means “crooked nose.”
- 32. Lux – Lux has yet to reach the top 1000 for girls but it did for boys for the first time in 2022. The name is of Latin origin and means “light.”
33-36
- 33. Stone – Stone is an English word name and it is now back in the top 1000.
- 34. Kooper – Kooper is a spelling variant of Cooper, a name that means “barrel maker.” This unisex name is more popular for boys and it landed in the top 1000 in 2022.
- 35. Aurelio – An Italian name from Latin, Aurelio means “golden one.” After over 30 years, this name finally made it back.
- 36. Darwin – Darwin is a name of English origin, meaning “dear friend.” It’s had its ups and downs through the years but it’s back in the 1000 as of 2022.
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37-40
- 37. Marlon – After two years off, Marlon is back. It’s an English name with an unclear meaning.
- 38. Meir – A name of Hebrew origin that means “bringer of light,” Meir is brand new to the top 1000.
- 39. Yael – Back in the top 1000 as of 2022, Yael is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning “ibex.”
- 40. Asaiah – A fresh entry into the top 1000, this Hebrew name means “the Lord has made.”
Choosing the perfect baby name is an exciting and personal decision. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to find a name that truly resonates with you and your family. We hope this list of the 80 best new baby names in the top 1000 most popular appellations in the US has provided some inspiration and guidance as you embark on this journey.
Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to naming your child, so have fun exploring different options until you find the perfect fit. Good luck and congratulations on your little bundle of joy!