Names That Peaked in 2021

Jianna was one of the fastest-rising names of 2020 after the deaths of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. It continued to rise in 2021.

Dariel is an update to Darren, influenced by names like Gabriel.

If you can't decide between Ethan or the original Hebrew form, Eitan, you may arrive at Eithan.

This variation of Aviana adds a second n, possibly to make the connection to Anna clearer. On the popularity charts, it first entered the US Top 1000 in 2011 and was one of the fastest-rising girls' names of 2016, entering the Top 500 for the first time.

As names become more popular, the truism goes, spelling variations are invented and become more popular too. Taytum entered the Top 1000 in the US for girls for the first time in 2021, following on the heels of mother name Tatum, now in the Top 300.

As with many other names, the y seems to make this name more girl-appropriate for some parents. About three-quarters of the babies named Austyn are female.

This spelling of Naomi guarantees you'll get the pronunciation you desire.

Atharv is one of the names of Lord Ganesh of the Hindu religion, and of the eldest son of Brahma.

Malayah first appeared on the charts in 1994 and has steadily climbed its way into the Top 1000. It's a spelling variation of Malaya, which derives from the same root as Malaysia — which in addition to being a country name, is a baby name that ranks in the Top 600.

Oakley is one of the truest unisex names for babies, achieving a 56-44 gender distribution, favoring girls. Oaklee is 80% female and may serve as a clearer identification of sex, if that’s what you’re interested in.

Variation of Cataleya, both of which are popular among Hispanic families in the US. Zoe Saldana played a character named Cataleya in Colombiana.

Kaylani is an English variation of the Hawaiian name Kailani. Both forms rank in the US Top 300, and while Kailani is more popular, Kaylani isn't far behind. It joined the US Top 1000 in 2016 and has been rising ever since, following on the heels of Leilani, Malia, and Kehlani.

Epithet of the goddess Lakshmi with a watery meaning.

This Josiah variant has been in the Top 1000 every year since 2006.

This variation of Marley is gaining momentum due to the popular -leigh suffix, which is all over the US popularity lists. This name in particular reentered the US Top 1000 in 2013.

Created in the style of Jabari, a fashionable Swahili name. Jakari is mainly used among African American families in the US.

One of the many liquid, vowel-heavy names that are so fashionable right now.

Zayla debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2021. The name might be thought of as the popular Ayla or Layla with the trendy letter Z at the beginning. Variations include Zaylah, Zaylani, and the male Zaylan.

A recent addition to the name lexicon with some real potential.

Hawaiian names have officially made their way to the mainland, with Leilani, Kehlani, Alani, Kailani, and Kaylani all ranking within the Top 300. Now Kahlani — one of several pseudo-Hawaiian names popping up across the country — has entered the US Top 1000 in 2023.