Names that Peaked in 2009

Kylah makes Kyla feel like an old biblical name, but it's only a reproduction, not a real antique.

We'd prefer to stick with the more-familiar Cadence and avoid the overly trendy Kay- prefix.

Janiyah’s star is definitely fading, but it will likely remain in the Top 1000 for years to come.

This name has two possible etymologies, relating to the Hindi Sania or the Arabic Saniyya. Either way, the Saniyah spelling has ranked in the US Top 1000 since 2004, though it has been in decline since it peaked at Number 506 in 2009.

With the still popular Allison ranking at Number 60 in the United States, and variant Alison sitting at Number 343—not to mention Allyson (Number 490 and Alyson (Number 835)—it makes sense that Alisson is still getting some attention from parents today, although it may unfortunately seem more like a spelling error than a legitimate name to some.

Kaylynn follows a current trend in naming: add a -lynn or -lin suffix to a simple, single-syllable moniker. Alternate spellings include Kailyn, Cailin, and Kaylen. This variation has one too many Ys, and one too many Ns.

Kaylen is a little bit Kayla, a little bit Kay plus Lynn, and ultimately one of those modern names that is unlikely to survive the future.

A creative spelling of Uriah, possibly without the negative connotation. Biblically, Urijah was a prophet mentioned in the book of Jeremiah.

Too trendy and too prone to needing to be spelled every time. Just go with the classic (and classy) accepted spellings: Madeleine, Madelyn, or Madeline.

This try-too-hard variation is just begging to be spelled at every turn.

This spelling of the name entered the US Top 1000 in 2001, rising until it found its apex at Number 487 in 2009. It has since been trending in the opposite direction. As with all her sister spellings—Jaelyn, Jaelynn, Jaylin, Jalyn—we urge you to consider a name that has more substance and doesn't sound like the word "jail."

Several hundred parents last year chose Jakayla, an elaboration of Kayla, or hybrid of Jacqueline and Makayla.