Best New Names In The Top 1000!
America’s brand new top baby names are here!
While there was not a whole lot of movement at the top of the charts — apart from Spanish Mateo ousting classic Benjamin from the Top 10 Boy Names – you'll find the real good stuff if you scroll a bit further down the list.
The number of babies receiving a name in the Top 1000 is at a record low: 71% in 2023.
And the gender gap continues to narrow. Boy names, which have historically been much more stable and traditional, are now really starting to catch up with the diversity of the girl name pool.
To make the Top 1000 in 2023, a name had to be given to at least 254 girls or at least 219 boys.
The #1000 names were Aylani for girls and Hollis for boys. However, the name Royal was also given to 254 girls, and the names Shai and Teddy were also given to 219 baby boys, making them just miss out on a spot in the Top 1000 for alphabetical reasons.
New Names in the Top 1000
This year, 44 new girl names and 36 new boy names debuted in the Top 1000 or returned after a hiatus.
The highest-ranking new entrant for girls is Kaeli — in at #678. Kaeli was also the fastest-rising name in 2023 overall, likely boosted by social media influencer Kaeli Mae.
On the boy's side, Izael is the highest-ranking new entrant at #806, encapsulating one of the biggest boy name trends of 2023 — names ending in -ael.
They replace dropouts including fading midcentury stars like Terry, Gary, and Larry, '90s hits Casey, Lauryn, and Chanel, as well as spelling variants that have fallen out of favor, like Addilynn and Madisyn, Korbin and Kamryn.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most promising new names in this year’s Top 1000. You can also find a full tally of 2023’s new entrants below.
Hot New Girl Names In The Top 1000
Adhara
Adhara — the name of one of the brightest stars in the night sky — is an Arabic name meaning "maidens". As celestial names continue to shine brighter each year, Adhara is a stunning, distinctive choice.
Andie
In the last few years, boyish nicknames for girls are all the rage — Frankie, Charlie, Billie, Scottie, and now Andie. Sweet and charming, Andie has history as a nickname for the now-dated Andrea, but in 2024 "just Andie" feels fresh and fun.
Aura
"Light and airy" describes many of the most popular girl names today. And what is more light and airy than Aura, meaning "light breeze"? With similar elements to stylish Aurora and Aria, Aura also has mythological ties as the name of the Titan of the early morning breeze.
Avani
Several Indian names are working their way onto the US charts, and Avani is one of our favorites. Pronounced "UH-vuh-nee", this Hindi name means "the good earth" and has a gentle but spirited sound.
Eleanora
Eleanor is the epitome of "vintage chic" today, with adorable nickname options like Ellie, Nora, Leni, and Nell. Eleanora elevates this classic with an extra touch of femininity and lyricism.
Quincy
Nonbinary Quincy is adorable, quirky and proper at the same time. Quincy is given about a third of the time to baby girls, but is rising on the female side as it drifts down in popularity for boys.
Ruthie
We love a vintage nickname name here at Nameberry, and Ruthie is sweet as they come. With the endearing meaning of "compassionate friend", Ruthie is back on the charts for the first time since 1967. The original Biblical Ruth has been climbing the charts these last few years as well, now sitting at #187.
Seraphina
Each year I am shocked to see that Seraphina has yet to make the US Top 1000 — but no longer. Feminine and strong, with a badass meaning — "fiery" — and spiritual significance to top it off (referring to the highest-ranking angels in Christianity), Seraphina has finally charted for the first time in history. It feels like a natural successor to popular Sophia, and would make the perfect honor name for a Sarah.
Solana
In 2021, French Soleil entered the US Top 1000 for the first time. Last year, the newcomer was Spanish Sol. This year, it is Solana's time to shine. Solana is a Spanish name meaning "sunshine", that may have also gotten an extra boost as the real name of popular musical artist SZA.
Winifred
Winifred last ranked in the Top 1000 in 1965, and for the decades following was considered essentially unusable. Now Winifred has reached the point of so far out that she's back in. Parents are beginning to appreciate her quirky vintage charm — and the adorable nicknames Winnie and Freddie.
New Top 1000 Girl Names
And here are all 44 new entrants to the girls’ Top 1000 in 2023, listed in order of popularity.
- 1Kaeli
- 2Azari
- 3Adhara
- 4Kya
- 5Arely
- 6Avani
- 7Ivey
- 8Dania
- 9Ailany
- 10Ainara
- 11Alitzel
- 12Miller
- 13Jaycee
- 14Andie
- 15Emryn
- 16Madalyn
- 17Raquel
- 18Kimora
- 19Indy
- 20Ruthie
- 21Nataly
- 22Solana
- 23Etta
- 24Ayra
- 25Eleanora
- 26Reya
- 27Blessing
- 28Elouise
- 29Lilia
- 30Mazie
- 31Aura
- 32Aleyna
- 33Winifred
- 34Dana
- 35Seraphina
- 36Kahlani
- 37Quincy
- 38Whitney
- 39Violette
- 40Esperanza
- 41Amyra
- 42Clare
- 43Ayah
- 44Aylani
Cool New Boy Names In The Top 1000
Abner
Abner has been long neglected, ever since the creation of the hillbilly comic strip L'il Abner that ran from 1934 until 1977. We are happy to see Abner finally escaping that unfortunate association and receiving well-deserved love and consideration. Abner would be a particularly fitting choice for a baseball-loving family, with namesake Abner Doubleday being credited with the invention of the sport.
Boaz
Z is the hottest letter of 2023, and Boaz is the perfect example. As the last wave of "new" Biblical names like Ezra, Levi, and Asher are feeling less fresh, parents are widening their horizons once again. Boaz also has the bonus of cool-guy nickname Bo.
Foster
One part surname name, one part virtue name — meaning "to nourish", as in the phrase fostering hope — Foster is slowly regaining attention as a boy's name. At its most popular in the late 1800s, Foster has plenty of credible history as a given name. And its meaning of "forester" gives it a woodsy edge.
Hollis
Soft, tailored Hollis has the perfect balance of a modern sound and a long history of use — having charted from 1880 to 1974. It is reminiscent of rising unisex name Ellis, and would make a lovely honor name for a familial Holly.
Kenai
Evoking the distinct sounds of fashionable Kai, Levi, and Eli, it is understandable why Kenai — pronounced "KEE-nye" — is gaining traction. Known by some as the protagonist of Disney's film Brother Bear, Kenai comes from the Denai'ina Native American language, and is also the name of a National Park in Alaska.
Lucien
Lucy and Lucia, Lucian and Luciano are all solidly in the US Top 500. But French Lucien has been flying under the radar until now. This variant clears up the pronunciation discrepancy of Latin Lucian, and adds an air of sophistication and flair.
Palmer
Despite Palmer's history as a boy name dating back as far as 1880, it's the US Top Girl Names where the name has been excelling in recent years — now sitting as high as #277. While modern and edgy as a girl name, Palmer for a boy is a quiet vintage revival that feels right at home with the trend of soft occupational names like Walker and Sawyer.
Veer
Names with a strong V sound are especially stylish right now, and Veer is no exception. This Hindi name means "brave", and is popular across the Indian subcontinent. While wonderfully distinct from the other boy names charting this year, it still feels familiar enough through its similarity in sound with rising girl name, Vera.
Wren
Wren — as a girl name — has been a trailblazer in a wave of modern nature names sweeping over the charts. But it took one of today's coolest celebrity couples — John Legend and Chrissy Teigen — naming their son Wren in June of 2023 for the rest of the country to consider that Wren can be masculine too.
New Top 1000 Boy Names
And here are all 36 new entrants to the boys’ Top 1000 in 2023, listed in order of popularity.