Are you looking to for a baby name that is on trend and growing in popularity for this year? This list of trending baby names for 2020 will help you find the perfect name for your new baby girl!
Hot Trending Baby Names for 2021
So, how can we tell which baby names will be exploding in popularity in 2021? Well, of course it’s impossible to predict the future, but there are some key signs that certain names are growing in popularity, while the popularity of other names are waning.
The US Social Security website provides amazing baby name data. It provides not only name rankings, but also allows you to see changes in the popularity of every baby name from year to year.
So, I’ve done the legwork for you and have rounded up the top baby names that have significantly jumped up in popularity over the past year. It also includes baby names that have been on the rise for several years. You can bet that most of these names will continue to rise this year, making them very popular for 2021.
I’ve chosen trending baby names that have made major leaps in the rankings (some by hundreds of spots!), or popular names that have risen steadily for several years.
This list is perfect if you’re interested in naming your daughter a name that is very trendy right now.
It also could be helpful if you want to avoid naming your child something that is too common (if you want to avoid having 4 Mila’s in the same class, for example).
Either way, I hope this list of popular and trending baby names helps you find the perfect on trend baby name for your little bundle of joy.
Top Trending Girl Names This Year
So, without further ado, here are with top trending baby names for girls for 2021.
Ada
The shortened form of Adelaide, Ada means noble and kind. It moved from 319 to 251 last year and again to 209 this year. Ada has risen steadily each year since making its debut in the top 1000 list in 2004. Click here for more lovely vintage names for girls.
Alaia/Alaya
A names are very trendy right now, and Alaia (or alternate spelling Alaya) is no exception. Last year Alaia rose a whooping 400 spots on the Social Security baby name charts from 583 to land at 183. Alaya, the alternate spelling, also rose a striking number, jumping from 617 to 392. This name is sure to continue its rise in popularity in 2021.
Alani
Alani has several possible origins, but often stems from a Hawaiian name that means ‘fragrant’. It can refer to the orange tree. Like many ‘A’ names, its popularity grew last year from 347 to 303.
Alaina/Alayna
Slightly different from Elena, Alaina and Alayna both rose in the charts last year, from place 202 to 186 and 237 to 219 respectively.
Alina
Alina is a German name, meaning ‘little noble’. It jumped from 186 to 158 on the charts last year and again to 156 this year, marking its most popular year since entering the charts in the year 2000.
Amara
Amara is a gorgeous name originating from Nigeria, which means ‘grace, mercy, kindness’. It grew in popularity from spot 206 to 193 last year and again to 140 this year. It’s been shooting up in popularity each year for the past five years. Before that, it wasn’t even cracking the top 500! To see more unique girls names starting with A, click here!
Amira
Although it sounds similar to Amara, Amira actually has a very different origin and meaning. It is the feminized form of Amir, meaning ‘treetop’. This name rose from 315 to 281 last year.
Ariella
Ariella is derived from Ariel, but is a little fancier. It also differentiates your baby from the red-headed little mermaid of Disney fame. Last year it rose in the charts from 283 to 216
Arya
Arya is a beautiful Sanskrit name meaning ‘noble’ or ‘strong’. Last year it rose in popularity from 135 to 119 on the charts and again to 92 this year. It’s popularity has been increasing steadily for the past decade, when it made its first appearance on the top 1000 chart.
Aspen
Aspen is a great unisex baby name meaning ‘quaking tree’. It’s an American baby name which has grown in popularity as of late. It’s been growing in popularity consistently this decade and last year it rose from 329 to 269, and rose again to 253 this year on the charts.
Athena
Athena will be another popular baby name in 2020. Athena was originally the Greek goddess of wisdom (and also warfare and handicrafts among other things) and was the daughter of Zeus. Athena is a classic name which has risen steadily since the year 2000, and jumped to its highest position on the charts last year, at 117 and again to 105.
Aurora
Aurora means ‘dawn’ and has its origins in Latin. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the sunrise. It was also the name of the princess in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, making it a sentimental favorite among princess fans. After years of rising on the charts, it cracked the top fifty year year, jumping from 51 to 44 and again to 40 this year.
Ayla
Ayla is a Hebrew and Turkish name, and means oak tree or moonlight. It it the name of the heroine in The Clan of the Cave Bear and moved from 231 to 189 on the chart last year, and rose again to 162, marking its highest spot as of yet.
Blake
Blake was originally a boys name, but it is an example of a name that is quickly becoming unisex (for more great unisex names click here). Its meaning is uncertain, and could mean either ‘dark’ or ‘fair one’. Last year it rose from 280 to 222 on the Social Security charts for girl names.
Blakely
Blakely was thought to originate as a surname, like Blake, meaning ‘fair one’ or ‘dark’. Last year it rose from 250 to 182 on the Social Security charts for girl names.
Brynlee
Brynlee is a name with English origins and means ‘burnt meadow. Last year it rose from 210 to 187 on the charts.
Camila
Camila is a Spanish and Portuguese name which originally comes from the Roman name, Camillus. It means ‘ceremonial attendant’ and increased in popularity from 23 to 18 last year and again to 15 this year, making it the most popular name on our list and will likely stay on trend for next year.
Catalina
Catalina is a Spanish form of the name Katherine. It means ‘pure’. Last year, it rose from 260 to 235 and it rose again to 189 this year.
Cecelia
Cecilia was a 2nd/3rd century martyr. The name was brought to England by the Normans. This name is beautiful and sophisticated. It’s crept up steadily on popularity and reached its highest spot on the chart last year at 155 and again to 153 this year.
Charlie
Charlie is another name which was originally male, but is quickly becoming unisex. Charlie can be a nickname for Charlotte, which means ‘petite one’, but can also stand as a name in its own right. Last year it rose from 153 to 132 on the charts.
Cora
Cora comes from ancient Greek, meaning ‘goddess’. Cora is one of the most stylish baby names for girls (click here for more stylish girl names). It’s growing steadily in popularity and shot up from number 83 to 73 last year and again to 71 this year.
Delilah
Delilah is a Hebrew baby name, meaning ‘delight’. Delilah was Samson’s mistress in the Old Testament. It’s seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, rising from 102 to 94 on the charts last year and again to 86 this year.
Dior
This name, likely in homage to the brand name, saw another huge rise in popularity, from 1358 to 792 and again to 607 this year.
Eliana
Eliana means “God answered”. It’s risen steadily in popularity since the year 2000 and jumped from 88 to 83 last year and again to 62. Its alternate spelling, Elliana, also shot up the charts, jumping from 188 to 146.
Eliza
Eliza is a shortened form of Elizabeth. It is a classic name that has been used by royalty for hundred of years and still is popular today. It means ‘God is my oath’. 131 to 119
Ellie
Ellie is a shortened version of Eleanor or Ellen, but is gaining popularity as a name in its own right. It comes from Hebrew and means “God is my light”. After steady increased for years, It jumped up to spot 36 last year and movedagain to 35 this year.
Elsie
Elsie was originally a nickname for Elizabeth, which means “God is my light”, but it now being used as an independent given name. Its popularity reached its highest point this year, jumping from 299 to 280 last year and again to 247 this year. It’s likely to continue rising next year.
Eloise
From Heloise, Saint Eloise was a 12th century saint. Eloise is also a children’s book and makes a lovely choice. Eloise entered the charts at spot 999 a decade ago and has risen steadily for the past ten years. Last years it rose from 190 to 167 last year. and again to 151 this year.
Ember
Ember is an English baby name, which means ‘low burning’. It rose from 289 to 209 on the Social Security charts last year and again to 193 this year, after rising steadily since entering the charts in 2008.
Emilia
Emilia is an Italian girl’s name meaning ‘rival’. Emilia is featured in Shakespeare’s Othello. Although it sounds similar, Emilia and Amelia are different names with different roots and meanings. Emilia has risen steadily in popularity since the year 2000 and reached position 58 last year and 42 this year.
Everly/Everleigh
Everly was originally a surname, which was a combination of two names meaning ‘boar’ and ‘woodland clearing’. It’s often used to honour The Everly Brothers, a popular band from 1951-73. Last year it moved from 82 to 53 and again to 43 this year. If you prefer a less common spelling. Everleigh jumped drastically from 386 to 196 in 2018 and again from 196 to 108 again last year.
Freya
Freya, the feminine form of Frey, means “the lady, mistress or noblewoman”. Freya was a goddess in Norse Mythology. The name grew in popularity from 305 to 266 last year and again to position 200 this year.
Gemma
Gemma is an Italian girl’s name meaning ‘precious stone’. It entered the charts in 2008 and rose in popularity from 257 to 229 last year and rose to 198 this year.
Georgia
The feminine form of George, famous 19th century painter Georgia O’Keefe bears this name. Georgia is lovely old fashioned English girls name that isn’t overused. It reached its highest point at 233 last year and to 205 this year.
Hazel
This pretty vintage name stems from the brown colour, or the hazel tree. It’s been in use since the 19th century. It is currently quit popular and rising steadily on the charts, jumping last year from 42 to 33 this year.
Hope
Hope derives its meaning from the English word. It is a virtue-inspired name. Last year it jumped from from 253 to 230.
Iris
Iris is the classic purple and yellow flowering bulb that arrives to mark the start of spring. Iris is a recognizable name, but still special. Last year it rose from spot 148 to 138 and again to 129 this year.
Isla
Isla, pronounced eye-la, is a baby name originating in Scotland. There is a Scottish island called Islay, or it may be derived from the Gaelic word for ‘rocky place’. Isla is also the Spanish word for island. It’s one of my favorite boho names for girls. It entered the top 1000 in 2008. Last year it rose from 103 to 82 last year and again to 57 this year.
Ivy
From the small crawling plant of the same name. Ivy is a beautiful nature-inspired name for girls, which rose from 107 to 86 and again to its highest ranking ever, at 68, this year.
Josephine
Feminized form of Joseph, meaning may God increase’. Josephine is a lovely classic girls name which is still not overused (and a personal favorite of mine!). It’s popularity has increased steadily since the year 2000. It moved up 16 spots to 91 and again to 89 this year.
Josie
Josie is a French name that means ‘God increases’. It can be a nickname for Joanne or Josephine, or can stand alone. Last year it rose form 193 to 155 on the charts.
Juliette
Juliette is a French girl’s name, meaning ‘youthful’. Despite the slightly different spelling, this name is synonymous with the star-crossed lovers from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Last year it rose from 207 to 185 and rose again to 178 this year.
June
June is a traditional name that has increased in popularity lately. It has a slightly vintage feel, yet is beautifully simple. Last year it rose from spot 240 to 201 on the charts.
Juniper
A type of tree, symbolizing good health or healing, Juniper is becoming a popular baby name, increasing from 313 to 281 last year and again to position 195 this year. Click here to read more plant-inspired names for girls.
Kali
Kali is a cute girl’s name, and has risen in popularity from 300 to 274 last year and own further to 241 this year. Kali has several origins. In Sanskrit, Kali means ‘black’, while in Swahili it means ‘intense’.
Kamila
Kamila is an Arabic baby name with means ‘perfect’. It entered the charts in 2003, and has risen steadily. Last year it rose from 292 to 267 on the charts.
Kiara
Kiara is a name which has multiple origins including Irish, Italian and Japanese. It rose from 336 to 302 last year on the charts.
Leila
Leila stems from the Arabic word meaning ‘night’, or ‘dark beauty’. Leila rose to popularity in the Victorian times after George Byon’s poem, “The Giaour”, was published in 1813. Last year it rose from 239 to 225 on the charts.
Leilani
From Hawaiian for ‘heavenly flowers’. Leilani’s popularity grew last year, and rose from 120 to 107 on the charts.
Lena
Lena is the shortened form of Elena or Helena, meaning ‘torch’ or ‘light’. Last year it rose from 302 to 267 on the Social Security charts.
London/Londyn
London was originally a place name (the capital of England). The traditional spelling rose from 180 to 165 last year. Close behind is the alternate spelling, which rose from 187 to 174 on the Social Security charts.
Lucia
Lucia comes from the Latin word lux, which means ‘light’. It can be a female given name or a surname. This year it rose from 184 to 159 on the baby name charts.
Luna
Luna is one of the most popular girl’s names on our list, and shot up from spot number 37 to 23 last year and again to 16 this year. Luna comes from the Latin word for the moon. Luna is a lovely celestial name for girls and is a well known Harry Potter character as well. After entering the charts in 2003, it has risen steadily each year, and it likely to continue that trend in 2020.
Magnolia
The name Magnolia comes from the flowering tree of the same name. After entering the top 1000 in 2013, it has risen steadily. Last year it moved from 384 to 314 on the charts and it’s jumped again to 240 this year. It’s a great uncommon flower name for girls!
Maeve
From the Gaelic for ‘intoxicating’, Maeve is one of the most lovely unique one syllable names for girls. It rose from 360 to to a high of 334 last year and shot up again to 244 this year.
Margot
Margot has French roots and means ‘pearl’ It rose from 358 to 304 on the baby name charts. Margot is a great vintage name that is starting to make a comeback.
Melody
Melody is an English baby name. Its musical meaning makes it such a lovely name. Last year it rose from 136 to 118 on the baby name charts.
Millie
Millie can be a shortened form of several names, including Amelia, Camilla, Melissa, Mildred or Millicent. It can also be a name in its own right and means ‘industrious’. Millie entered the charts in 2009 and has been on the rise ever since. It shot up from from 355 to 304 last year and again to 239 this year.
Natalia
Natalia is the Italian version of the English name, Natalie and is a slightly more sophisticated version of the name, which comes from the Latin word for Christmas. Last year it rose from 114 to 103 on the Social Security charts.
Naomi
Meaning ‘pleasantness’, Naomi is a Hebrew name whose popularity has increased steadily over the past 20 years. It rose to 64, last year and reached its highest position, 59 this year.
Nova
Nova means ‘new’ and is a name that has increased in popularity since entering the chart in 2011. It’s a great celestial-inspired name and made a huge leap from 95 to 56 last year, an jumped again to 51 this year.
Nylah
Nylah comes from the Arabic name meaning ‘winner’. This year it rose from 408 to 364 on the baby name charts. Nyla is an alternate spelling for this name.
Olive
This French girl’s name honours the olive tree. It’s a less common alternative to Olivia. Olive has risen in popularity in the past few years. It rose from 268 to 213 on the baby name charts this year.
Palmer
Palmer is a favorite unisex name of mine. It’s an English name which originally has roots from the Latin. It refers to someone who worked as a palmer, or refers to a palm tree and refers to a pilgrim to the Holy Land. Last year, it landed in the top 1000 for the first time, growing in position from 1043 to 679 and then rose again to 460 this year. It’s one to watch in the upcoming year!
Parker
Parker was originally a surname or a male given name, which referred to a park keeper. It is gaining popularity as a female given name, and after twenty years of increasing popularity, it reached 162 last year and then its highest position at 143 this year.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a unisex name which has origins in Greek. It is inspired by the mythical bird and means ‘deep red’. Phoenix was originally popular as a boy name, but it’s use as a girl name is rising, jumping from 351 to 313 on the baby name charts.
Remi
Remi is a French girl’s name which means ‘oarsmen’. It can be used as a unisex name, but the ‘Remi’ spelling is more commonly used for girls, while the ‘Remy’ spelling is more typical for boys. Remi only appeared on the top 1000 chart about five years ago, but has been skyrocketing up the charts ever since. This cute baby name rose in popularity from 249 to 177 last year and again to 154 this year.
River
River is a great unisex name. It honours the flowing body of water of the same name. As a girls’ name, River has skyrocketed up the charts over the past ten years, after making an initial appearance in 2009. It was at position 244 last year and it currently sits at position 214.
Rose
Associated with the flower of the same name, it was Norman and Germanic roots. It’s a beautiful one syllable name for girls. Despite being a classic, this name has steadily increased its position on the charts, reaching a 20 year high last year it rose from 123 to 115 last year.
Ruby
Ruby is a Victorian girl name after the gemstone of the same name, which means ‘red’ in Latin. Ruby’s popularity peaked around the turn of the century, but is starting to re-emerge as a popular name. It was in position 74 last year and currently sits at spot 66.
Ruth
From the Hebrew, meaning ‘friend’. It rose from spot 262 to 231 this year.
Ryleigh
Ryleigh is an alternate spelling of the Irish name, Riley. Riley is a unisex name, but by using ‘leigh’ it becomes more markedly feminine. It means ‘courage’. While still not as popular as the traditional spelling (which sits at the 28th position), Ryleigh is quickly increasing in popularity and rose from 161 to 145 last year and again to 138 this year.
Sage
English for the herb, or a wise person. This name rose from 305 to 280 on the charts last year.
Selena
In Greek, Selena means ‘the moon’. Selena rose from 249 to 233 on the charts last year.
Sienna
Sienna is a fairly modern baby name. It refers to the colour sienna, which is an reddish orange-brown. It moved from 222 to 186 last year and to 181 this year.
Saylor
Saylor was originally an occupational surname meaning ‘boat man’. It is becoming increasingly popular as a girl name and rose from 363 to 308 on the baby name charts.
Valentina
Valentina is the female form of the Roman name, Valentinus, meaning ‘healthy’ or ‘strong’. Many people often associated it with Valentine’s Day. It grew in popularity from 94 to 81 last year and again to 65 this year.
Vera
Meaning faith in Russian or ‘true’ in Latin, Vera is a lovely Victorian name that isn’t overused. Vera appeared on the charts in 2009 and rose from 277 to 257 last year and again to 252.
Violet
The name Violet comes from the purple colour, or the small purple flower. It’s been popular in Scotland since the 16th century and in England since the 19th century.
Willow
Willow takes its meaning from the tree of the same name. Slender and gracefulness are often associated with the willow tree. Willow is a beautiful plant-inspired name for girls and has been inching close and closer to the top 50. Last year it rose from 81 to 62 on the charts last year and up again to 40 this year.
Winter
Winter is a lovely English baby name which gained in popularity from 390 to 327 on the charts this year.
Zara
Zara is a Hebrew name, meaning ‘seed’. It has risen steadily since appearing on the charts in 2005. It moved from 283 to 253 last year alone, reaching an all-time high this year at spot 238.
Well, those are the top trending baby names of 2021. Happy name hunting!
Like this post? Pin it for later!
Name meanings sourced from Behind the Name.
