Hot New Names of the 2010s
- Kaylani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea of heaven; glorious sky"Description:
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.
- Ivanna
Origin:
Feminine of Ivan, which is itself a variation of JohnDescription:
Ivanna / Ivana both come out of the name "John" by way of the Russian variant Ivan. Whereas Joanna feels dated, Ivanna feels cosmopolitan and fresh. Ivanka (of Trump fame) is a diminutive version of Ivanna.
- Ellianna
Origin:
Variation of Eliana, HebrewMeaning:
"God has answered"Description:
Eliana is a multicultural name, popular in the US, the UK, The Netherlands, France and Brazil. With the popular nickname Ellie and the classic sounds of Anna and Eleanor, it is no wonder this name has caught on.
- Jaxton
Origin:
Modern invented nameMeaning:
"Jack's town"Description:
We've had Jackson, Jaxcon and Jaxon, and now we have Jaxton.
- Addilyn
Origin:
Variation of Adeline, FrenchMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Yet another spin on the megapopular Adeline names. About 1000 baby girls were named Adeline in the US last year, and fewer than five named Addilyn, which is a good thing.
- Egypt
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Ever since Little Egypt practically invented the belly dance in the 1890s, this name has had a suggestive aura. Astonishingly, Egypt is now among the Top 1000 names for girls in the US. Cairo is a related option.
- Jayde
Origin:
Spelling variation of JadeDescription:
This creative spelling of Jade adds in the trendy y, but it remains much less popular.
- Kashton
Origin:
American invented nameMeaning:
"town of the box maker; money town"Description:
This newly invented name takes a cool short form—Kash/Cash—and adds the trendy -ton suffix, a la Ashton, Colton, and Weston. It made its first appearance on the US Top 1000 list in 2015 and has risen up into the Top 500 since then.
From its Latin root, Kash/Cash is an occupational name for someone who makes boxes, however, it is of course also related to the word "cash", as in money. The meaning of this newly coined name could then be "town of the box maker" or "money town".
- Avalynn
Origin:
Combination of Ava and LynnDescription:
Part Ava, part Lynn, and part cousin of the stylish Evelyn and Adeline, Avalynn is a recent 2014 entrant to the US Top 1000. But sometimes when a name is trying hard to have everything, it doesn't really impress. Avalyn is one spelling variation.
- Kylen
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
This relatively new name appears to have been created by adding the trendy -en suffix to Kyle. Though it lacks a long name history, Kylen has been rising lately, first entering the US Top 1000 in 2014.
- Kamiyah
Origin:
AmericanDescription:
A newcomer to the US popularity charts, likely influenced by the popularity of similar names Camila and Camilla.
- Krew
Origin:
variation of CrewDescription:
With Crew having entered the Top 1000 in 2010, it was only a matter of time before variants started popping up.
- Harleigh
Origin:
Variation of HarleyDescription:
Harley in a dress.
- Cayson
Origin:
Spelling variation of CasonDescription:
A less-popular spelling of on-the-rise Cason.
- Emmitt
Origin:
Spelling variation of EmmettDescription:
Emmitt is a new spelling spin borne of the popularity of Emmett.
- Dakari
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"rejoice"Description:
This name from the Shona language is a new entrant to the Top 1000 in the US.
- Alayah
Origin:
English, ArabicMeaning:
"sublime; joyful"Description:
A modern English variant of the Arabic name Aaliyah, Alayah was likely inspired by the names Amaia, Amaya and Alannah. It could also be an alternative spelling of the Basque name, Alaia, which means "joyful", and it coincides with Alaya, a type of consciousness in Buddhism.
- Rosalee
Origin:
Variation of Rosalie, FrenchMeaning:
"rose"Description:
Rosalie has officially been revived, breaking into the Top 200 in 2020. And as with many on-trend baby names, the creative spellings have started to roll in. Rosalee is one of the least offensive, although our preference remains the original.
- Juelz
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
This attempt to masculinize Jules has made its way into the Top 1000. We recommend using the more traditional spelling, as this one will likely appear dated in a few years' time.
- Mordechai
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"follower of Marduk"Description:
Mordechai and Mordecai are equally valid — both are used as transcriptions from the Hebrew bible, and one did not originate before the other. But although popular culture tends to prefer the (slightly simpler) Mordecai, Mordechai has always been the more common version for babies born in the US.