Names that Peaked in 2020

Lovers of the name Carter and the Kardashians method of baby naming have popularized this choice, one of many boys' names starting with K that began life as boys' names starting with C. Karter has been in the charts since 2005, riding on the success of the original Carter. Since 2014, Karter has been just inside the Top 200.

Santana was most recently heard on a female character on hit television show Glee. Nonetheless, this name ranks higher for boys, which can be credited to Grammy Award-winning musician Carlos Santana.

Despite being one of the rare boy names that mean life, Chaim barely survived early Jewish immigration, being watered down to Hyman and Hymie. Today, the original seems like the most promising form of the name, familiar thanks to bestselling author Chaim Potok.

Kannon, the name of actor Kevin James' son born in 2011, seems at first glance to be a kre8if spelling of bad boy name Cannon. But Kannon is also the name of the Buddhist god (and sometime goddess) of mercy and compassion, a very different image from the big gun. Either way, it made its way into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, and was one of the year's fastest-rising names.

Like Ashley before it, Everly has been followed into the US charts by a number of spelling variations, one of which is Everlee. More distinctly feminine perhaps or a little sweeter in style, Everlee ranks in the US Top 500.

Dior was among the fastest-rising names for both girls and boys in the US in the early 2020s, but was the fastest-falling name for boys in the 2023 statistics.

This name directly translates to the way most parents feel about their sons. It's rising quickly in popularity, along with many other names from the Indian subcontinent.

Variant spelling of Camila, common in Eastern Europe. Kamila and Kamilah are also feminine forms of the Arabic name Kamil, meaning "perfect".

Has joined Chanel and Armani on the fashionista hit parade of names. The meaning of Dior is uncertain but it may be "gold".

The feminine form of Amir, a soft and regal baby name popular in the Muslim community.

This alternate spelling of Amora rose over 1000 places in 2019, making it the fastest-rising girl name of the year. It continued to rise steeply in 2020, but has fallen a little since.

Is Kaison really a variation of Kason or Kayson or Kaysen, or are they all equal inventions? Think of it as Jason or Mason, Kardashianized. Cason is the more traditional spelling, one that has the better chance of standing the test of time.

Adalee's rise is thanks to the current fashion for all names ada-related. It does have a sweet melodic charm.

Alianna barely wedged its way into US Top 1000 in 2015, and almost fell off with a Number 998 finish in 2016. The second n doesn't add much, so Aliana or even Eliana might be better options.

This name from the Shona language is a new entrant to the Top 1000 in the US.

An increasingly popular spelling of Carson, bringing it into the new century.

Itzayana, one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2016, feels like a distant cousin of the ultra-popular Isabella.

Combine two parts Paisley with one part Hazel and one part Harley, add a dash of Hayes, and voila: Haisley.

A gentle-sounding name with a pretty meaning to match -- "heavenly flower." Laylani is a close cousin to names like Lily and Leila that have been very trendy in the last few years. We're somewhat agnostic about this spelling compared to original Leilani. Though we tend to favor the original in such cases, it might be easier for non-Hawaiians to figure out how to pronounce this one. Laylani has made the US Top 1000 in 2020 as well as 2022, but has no where close to the popularity of the original Leilani.