Baby naming trends can be quite intriguing. It often takes years or even decades for a name to gain traction in popularity, moving up the charts before it finally claims a top spot. The Social Security Administration recently shared its list of last year’s most popular baby names, offering a clear view of the names chosen for babies born in 2018.
While many focus on the top names—currently Liam, Noah, and William for boys, and Emma, Olivia, and Ava for girls—there are lesser-known names that are climbing the ranks with impressive speed. These “dark horse” names, often influenced by pop culture, are making significant strides. For instance, the name Meghan, inspired by Meghan Markle, jumped over 700 places to become the fastest-rising girl’s name. Similarly, Saint, the name of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s son, is the second fastest-rising name for boys.
In the girls’ category, most of the top rising names are newcomers to the top 1,000, except for Oaklynn, Yara, and Ensley. Among boys, all but one name—Kairo—are fresh entries into the rankings.
Girls’ Names:
- Meghan (+701): This name surged from #1,404 in 2017 to #703 in 2018, claiming the top spot for fastest riser.
- Dior (+566): With a fashionable flair, Dior climbed from #1,358 to #792.
- Adalee (+370): A blend of Ada and Lee, it jumped from #1,225 to #855.
- Palmer (+364): Once a surname, it rose from #1,043 to #679.
- Oaklynn (+346): This name surged from #888 to #542, not counting the popularity of its one-N counterpart Oaklyn.
- Haisley (+343): Gaining ground, it moved up from #1,108 to #765.
- Keily (+320): Its pronunciation is mysterious, but it climbed from #1,146 to #826.
- Novah (+316): This stellar name shot from #1,127 to #811.
- Yara (+314): Thanks to “Game of Thrones,” it leaped from #986 to #672.
- Ensley (+294): Climbing up from #967 to #673.
Boys’ Names:
- Genesis (+608): Meaning “beginning,” it made an impressive debut from #1,592 to #984.
- Saint (+438): This name rose from #1,297 to #859.
- Baker (+431): Rising from #1,143 to #712, it’s gaining popularity rapidly.
- Kairo (+321): A combination of trendy elements, it jumped from #803 to #482.
- Watson (+309): Possibly influenced by pop culture, it moved from #1,020 to #711.
- Kenzo (+303): This stylish name climbed from #1,176 to #873.
- Jaxtyn (+296): A clever spelling variation, it rose from #1,067 to #771.
- Kylo (+287): The name’s rise from #1,152 to #865 is likely tied to the “Star Wars” phenomenon.
- Dakari (+263): Meaning “rejoice,” it jumped from #1,173 to #910.
- Karsyn (+259): A creative spelling of Carson, it moved from #1,199 to #940.
As we observe these names, it’s unclear if they will maintain their momentum or fizzle out. However, they are certainly worth watching. If you’re searching for baby naming inspiration, check out our other blog posts, including information on home insemination techniques at Home Insemination Kit and the comprehensive guide from IVF Babble for further insights. For more on home insemination kits, see Cryobaby.
In summary, these rapidly rising names highlight the ever-evolving landscape of baby naming trends. With influences from pop culture and creativity in spelling, names like Meghan, Genesis, and Yara are making noteworthy advancements in popularity.