Hot New Names of the 2010s

  1. Ailani
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "chief"
    • Description:

      Lilting and lovely. Entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2016.
  2. Kynlee
    • Origin:

      American spelling variation of Kinley, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "fair hero; fair warrior"
    • Description:

      Kynlee had its moment in the spotlight during the 2010s, when it entered the US Top 1000 alongside its more popular counterpart Kinley. An All-American style name, it peaked in 2017 when it rose to #552, but it has been in decline ever since.
  3. Treasure
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "highly valued possession"
    • Description:

      Doting parents have begun to use names like Precious and Treasure, which are sweet for a baby, but might not hold up over the years. Treasure was used for nearly 300 baby girls in one recent year.
  4. Avalyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Aveline or Avalon, combination of Ava and Lyn
    • Meaning:

      "desired; island of apples; life, water or bird + lake or beautiful"
    • Description:

      Part Ava, part Evelyn, this name made its first appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2013 when it was one of the fastest-rising names of the year. Joining Gracelyn, Raelynn, and Emmalyn in the charts, Avalyn followed the same pattern of smooshing together a popular name with the suffix -lynn.
  5. Jemma
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Gemma
    • Description:

      Jenna is overheated, but Jemma is still cool. Jemma and Gemma are most heard in Australia but are increasingly used in other countries.
  6. Kabir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "the great"
    • Description:

      Kabir is the 37th name of God in Islam. Kabir is also the name of an Indian poet and mystic saint. In the US, Kabir is on the rise as a boys' name, favored by Muslim parents.
  7. Emerie
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Emery
    • Description:

      Parents of female Emerie's would argue the suffix -ie makes it more feminine. It may also add a feeling of French flair. Clearly, there are enough thinking this to popularize it—the name entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
  8. Annalee
    • Origin:

      Combination of Anna and Lee
    • Meaning:

      "grace; pasture"
    • Description:

      A compound name with an old-fashioned ring. It only first appeared on the US Top 1000 in 2012. Annalie is a somewhat different name that is nevertheless pronounced the same.
  9. Vivaan
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "full of life"
    • Description:

      Vivaan is a life-related name from India that has made its way onto the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2014. While unusual, it has a familiar and appealing lively sound and feel. However, be aware that people unfamiliar with the name may misread and mispronounce it as Vivian.
  10. Aubriella
    • Origin:

      Combination of Aubrey and Ella, English
    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler + fairy maiden, other, or light"
    • Description:

      Aubriella is a hybrid name that marries two trendy favorites, Aubrey and Ella, into one. It ranked in the US Top 1000 between 2014 and 2022, and while it never rose above the Top 800, it likely feels more popular than it actually is, thanks to its well used components and similarities to the likes of Gabriella and Annabella.
  11. Scarlette
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Scarlett
    • Meaning:

      "brilliant red"
    • Description:

      Although we think Scarlett is plenty feminine enough without the girly -ette suffix, this variation entered the US Top 1000 in 2011, where it remained for more than a decade. In 2023, it dropped off the list, however, it was still given to 240 girls that same year.

      The traditional Scarlett is used 26 times more often its more elaborate counterpart, but Scarlette could could have the plus side of drawing people's eyes away from the "Scar" syllable and onto the second part of the name. For anyone hoping to use nickname Lettie, Ettie, or Etta - or plan to use it to honor a Charlotte - this form could be more appealing.
  12. Harlem
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Meaning:

      "home on a forested dune"
    • Description:

      With Brooklyn, Trenton, and Camden on the rise, Harlem is one to watch out for. It has lingered down the lower end of the US Top 1000 since 2018 but has been trending upwards. It's already been picked by one celebrity, and it certainly has a stronger historical and cultural identity -- and it could work as an alternative to Harvey or Harley.
  13. Berkley
    • Origin:

      English variation of Berkeley
    • Meaning:

      "where birches grow"
    • Description:

      Berkeley, with an extra E, is the more familiar variation of this name, associated with the California school. But it's the streamlined Berkley that has proven itself to be more popular as a baby name, at least in the US.
  14. Evelynn
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"
    • Description:

      This spelling variation of the classic Evelyn gives it a trendy makeover to fit in with the surge of names ending with -lynn suffixes. Recent counts have seen it given to around 1000 girls each year and it sits with the Top 400.
  15. Maximiliano
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "greatest"
    • Description:

      This is a Spanish variation of Maximilian that has begun to gain some popularity. It has a luxurious feel -- maybe it's the suggestion of "millions"? -- but this is one of those Spanish baby names that come with Anglicized nicknames that can make it work across cultures.
  16. Maddux
    • Origin:

      Variation of Maddox, Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "son of Madoc"
    • Description:

      The popularity of handsome Welsh surname Maddox led to the creation of this spelling variation, connected to baseball great Greg Maddux.
  17. Rayden
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Rayden is yet another example of the dozens of new boys' names with the 'aden' sound.
  18. Kaison
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      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.
  19. Gracelynn
    • Origin:

      Combination of Grace and Lynn
    • Meaning:

      "Grace + lake; pretty"
    • Description:

      With Grace mega popular and Gracie on the rise, this modern compound name provides a trendy alternative. With the vibes of Brooklyn and Evelyn and the contemporary feel of Oaklynn and and Emberlynn, Gracelynn is currently in the US Top 400.
  20. Zainab
    • Origin:

      Variation of Zaynab
    • Description:

      Zainab—the name of a flowering tree and of a granddaughter, daughter, and two wives of the Prophet Muhammed—was a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2013. While simplified variations Zaina or Zayna are more Western-friendly, neither makes the US list.