Baby Girl And Boy Names Rising In Popularity
Choosing what to call your little one is exciting but can feel overwhelming. You want something special, something that stands out from the dozens of Emmas and Liams already in the classroom. That's where tracking which names are rising fastest becomes really useful.
We're not talking about the most popular baby names here. These are the ones exploding right now—think Royalty, Oaklynn, and Maverick. These went from practically unheard of to being given to thousands of babies in just a few short years.
Check Out the 100 Most Loved Boys' and Girls’ Names!
Let's dive into what makes these picks so interesting and how you might find the perfect name for your child.
What Are Fastest Rising Baby Names?
These are the trendsetters—the ones climbing the popularity charts faster than anything else, showing massive jumps from one year to the next.
How We Analyze Name Growth Using Social Security Administration Data
The Social Security Administration has tracked every name given in the U.S. since 1880. They put out an annual list showing what parents chose that year.
We take it further. Our tool looks at how usage has changed over time to figure out which ones are actually gaining momentum. Some go from 5 babies to 500. Others jump from 1,000 to 20,000. Both patterns tell us something important about where naming culture is headed.
Find Out How Rare Your Name Is in One Click!Understanding the Difference Between Popular and Fastest-Rising Names
Here's what matters: popular just means lots of people are using it right now. Fastest-rising means it's spreading like wildfire.
Take Emma—it might be the #1 choice overall, but if it only grew by 2% this year, you won't find it on our list. Meanwhile, Royalty shot up over 100,000%, going from just 6 babies to 6,053. That's a meteoric rise.
Our 10-Year Analysis Method: Previous vs Recent Usage
We look at two things: how many more babies got the name (absolute growth) and how quickly it's spreading relative to where it started (percentage growth). Then we blend these together into a weighted score.
This keeps super-rare choices from dominating just because they doubled from 2 births to 4. It also highlights genuinely trending options that real parents are actually choosing in meaningful numbers.
Top 500 Fastest Rising Baby Names of 2025
Looking at baby names in 2024 and continuing into 2025, some clear patterns emerge: creative spellings, nature-inspired choices, and bold word-based picks are leading the charge.
Most Popular Name Trends for Baby Boys and Girls
Word-based choices are having a huge moment. Parents are picking Royalty (#1), Majesty (#36), Legacy (#65), and Champion (#148) to make statements about what they hope for their children.
Nature name picks keep gaining ground too. Oaklynn, Oaklyn, Birdie, Maple, and Bear show families craving that connection to the natural world. Even place-inspired choices like Cairo and Arizona are climbing.
Vintage revivals are catching people off guard. Winona, Lettie, and Dottie—options that felt stuck in the past—are trending again for the first time in decades.
Discover 500+ Unique Names for Your Baby!Names with the Highest Percentage Growth
The top performers show mind-blowing numbers:
- Royalty: +100,783% (went from 6 to 6,053 births)
- Oaklynn: +83,267% (9 to 7,503 births)
- Oaklyn: +73,380% (5 to 3,674 births)
- Sevyn: +69,420% (5 to 3,476 births)
- Saint: +60,633% (6 to 3,644 births)
These aren't just statistics on paper. They're choices catching fire through celebrity influence, social media buzz, and real cultural shifts happening right now.
Top Baby Names by Weighted Growth Score
Weighted scores help us find options that balance explosive growth with real-world usage. The standouts include:
- Nova (0.68): 39,916 births, up 37,960
- Everly (0.66): 35,780 births, up 34,440
- Maverick (0.63): 49,572 births, up 44,251
- Thiago (0.60): 21,943 births, up 20,610
- Legend (0.59): 19,712 births, up 18,512
These have moved past being micro-trends into genuine mainstream acceptance while still growing rapidly.
See How Popular Your Name Is in Each State!Fastest Rising Girl Names
Girls' names dominate our rankings. From regal-sounding picks to international influences, the fastest climbers show incredible creativity.
Top Fastest Rising Girl Names: Royalty to Eliora
The highest climbers pack a punch:
- Royalty – The ultimate statement choice
- Oaklynn – Where nature meets modern style
- Oaklyn – Same vibe, slightly different spelling
- Khalani – Exotic and melodic
- Birdie – Sweet vintage charm
Other standouts include Aitana (#18), reflecting Spanish influence, and Winona (#14), proving vintage is having its moment. The fastest-rising girl option leads this list of the most popular choices in our full rankings.
Popular Girl Names with Explosive Growth
Some manage to be both widely used and still growing fast:
- Nova: Nearly 40,000 births, still climbing at 1,940%
- Everly: Over 35,000 births, up 2,570%
- Freya: 13,684 births, rising at 1,489%
These work well if you want something trendy that won't feel too out-there. They're recognizable without being oversaturated yet.
Names for Girls Rising Fastest in Popularity
Beyond the obvious picks, some gems are hiding in plain sight:
Haisley jumped 29,741% with 3,581 births. Emberlee, Ensley, and Everlee show how much parents love that soft "-lee" ending. Surname-style picks like Bexley and Oakleigh are proving they work beautifully for daughters.
International influences are also trending. Alaia, Aitana, and Amira bring that global sensibility American parents are craving. We highly suggest parents generate the best names for their upcoming baby here.
Fastest Rising Boy Names
Boy options blend old-school strength with modern edge. The fastest climbers include bold picks and cultural crossovers.
Top Fastest Rising Boy Names: Saint to Thiago
The leaders show diverse influences:
- Saint (#5 overall): Spiritual and confident
- Avyaan (#9): South Asian heritage gaining traction
- Niklaus (#10): German with that vampire-chic appeal
- Kyzer (#12): Modern and powerful-sounding
- Ozias (#23): Biblical rarity making a comeback
Thiago deserves its own mention. With 21,943 births, it's among the most popular boy options while showing 1,546% growth. This Spanish take on James bridges cultures beautifully.
Popular Boy Names Gaining Momentum in 2026
Legend nearly hit 20,000 births with an increase of 18,512. Parents clearly love these aspirational word-based choices for sons.
Theo keeps climbing—this is its sixth year in a row of growth, now at 19,616 births. The vintage nickname manages to feel both classic and fresh somehow.
Atlas broke into the top 100 baby rankings with 16,719 births. This name includes rarities from mythology while staying accessible. Options like these appeal to parents wanting both substance and style.
Baby Boy Names with Remarkable Rise
Some surprises in the growth department:
- Wells: Jumped from 39 to 3,449 births (+8,744%)
- Kairo/Cairo: The Egyptian capital as a given name
- Bear: Nature name with masculine edge
- Riggs: Surname turned first choice
Fastest Rising Unisex Baby Names
Gender-neutral picks represent a major shift in how we think about naming. These work equally well for both girls and boys.
Gender-Neutral Names Rising in Popularity
Sevyn (#4) leads the unisex category with 3,476 births and that eye-popping 69,420% growth. The creative "7" spelling adds uniqueness.
Bellamy (#31) jumped nearly 8,000 births. Onyx (#73), Arrow (#72), and Artemis (#84) prove that nature and mythology transcend traditional gender associations.
Top Baby Names for Boys and Girls
Some traditionally gendered options now work across the board:
- Remi: 17,605 births across all genders
- Oakley: 16,032 births, climbing at 1,006%
- Lennox: 13,295 births, sophisticated and strong
Unisex Name Trends of 2026
Word-based choices dominate here: Legacy, Majesty, Royal, and Truth work for any child. Short picks like Kit, Indy, and Kip feel modern and versatile.
Surname-style options like Clarke, Murphy, and Waverly function naturally as gender-neutral since they were never tied to either gender historically.
How to Use This Fastest Rising Baby Names Tool
Our search tool helps you explore options through multiple filters and comparisons.
Finding Your Perfect Baby Name by Trend Data
Use the search bar to look up specific options or browse by category. Filter by gender to narrow things down.
Each entry shows recent usage, previous usage, percentage growth, and weighted score. The "Strong Rise" badge highlights the hottest names climbing right now. Here you can understand the metric in a simple way.
Understanding Growth Metrics and Rankings
Here's what each metric means:
- Absolute growth = raw number increase
- Percentage growth = how fast it's spreading relative to starting point
- Weighted score = balanced view combining both factors
Higher weighted scores mean real traction is happening, not just tiny jumps from 5 to 10 births.
Search and Compare Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names
Look up names like Oaklynn and you'll find similar options nearby—Oaklyn, Oakleigh, Oaklee all appear close together. Compare their stats to pick the perfect variation for your family.
What Makes Baby Names Rise in Popularity
Several forces push certain choices to the top.
Celebrity and Pop Culture Influence on Name Trends
When celebrities announce what they've chosen, millions of parents take notice. Social media spreads these decisions instantly. TV shows and movies introduce character options that resonate emotionally with viewers in ways that stick.
How Social Media Impacts Top Baby Names
Instagram, TikTok, and dedicated accounts like Nameberry expose expecting parents to hundreds of possibilities they'd never encounter otherwise. A single viral video can launch something from total obscurity to trending in a matter of weeks. This compressed cycle means things rise faster than ever before.
Create a unique nickname for your social media profiles.
Word Names and Modern Spelling Variations
More parents are choosing options like Royalty, Majesty, and Legacy that directly state their values and hopes. Modern spellings—swapping "i" for "y," adding extra letters, creating compounds—let parents personalize traditional choices and make them feel fresh.
FAQ
What does "fastest-rising" mean for baby names?
It means the option is growing rapidly in usage year over year. Something might not crack the US top 1000 yet, but if it's climbing fast, it shows up on this list of fastest climbers.
How is this different from the Social Security Administration's top baby names list?
The SSA ranks by total popularity—what got used most in 2024. We rank by growth rate—what's rising fastest. Something could rank #500 in overall popularity but #5 in growth rate.
How many years of data does this baby name list include?
We compare recent figures back to 1880 and analyze a decade of previous data, ensuring we capture sustained trends rather than one-year flukes.
Which baby boy names are rising fastest in popularity?
Saint, Thiago, Legend, Theo, and Atlas lead the pack. Kyzer, Avyaan, and Ozias show particularly explosive percentage growth.
Which baby girl names are trending in 2024 and 2025?
Royalty leads, followed by Oaklynn and Oaklyn. Nova, Everly, Aitana, and Alaia combine high usage with continued momentum. These represent some of the list of most popular baby options with serious growth potential.
How do I choose the perfect baby name using this tool?
Browse the rankings, search specific options, and compare growth metrics. Think about whether you want something just starting to rise or something nearing peak popularity. Balance how unique you want to be with how recognizable you want it to feel when naming a baby in 2025.
Will these fastest rising names become too popular?
Some will eventually hit the top of the charts. Others plateau at moderate levels. Options growing from very small numbers often stay relatively unique even after big percentage jumps. Looking at names in 2024 can help you predict what might explode next year.
What is the weighted growth score and how is it calculated?
It balances percentage growth with absolute numbers, preventing extremely rare choices from dominating rankings just by going from 5 to 10 births. Higher scores indicate real momentum happening across the names in the US.
Are there fastest-rising names for both baby boys and baby girls?
Absolutely! Our full 500 includes male options, female options, and unisex categories. Girl picks show particularly dynamic growth patterns right now, but boy options have remarkable climbers too.
How often is this top 500 baby name list updated?
Each May when the Social Security Administration releases new data, we update our analysis. This keeps everything current for parents expecting baby names for 2024 and beyond.