Popular USA Girl Names And Surnames
Looking for the perfect name for your daughter? This list shows you the top 100 girl names in American history, pulled straight from Social Security Administration records spanning over 115 years. These aren't just trendy picks that came and went. These are the names that have genuinely stuck around.
Here's what makes this useful: instead of guessing which baby name might age well, you can see exactly which ones already have. Real data from millions of birth certificates tells you what actually works across generations.
Discover the Top 100 American Baby Boy NamesUnderstanding the Top 100 Popular USA Female Names
How These Popular Girl Names Are Ranked
Every time parents apply for their baby's Social Security card, that name gets logged into a national database. The SSA has been tracking this since record-keeping began, giving us the most complete picture of American naming patterns you'll find anywhere. Find 500+ baby names that are becoming instant favorites!
Each name here includes four key pieces of info: its rank (1 through 100), how frequently it appears in the population, the total number of times it's been registered, and its percentile ranking compared to every other female name in the U.S.
Want to know where Emma ranks historically? Or curious about Isabella's standing? The search tool above lets you look up any girl name to see its place in the data. Discover the Uniqueness of Your Name Now!
What Frequency and Total Occurrences Mean
Total occurrences show how many times a name has appeared on birth certificates throughout American history. Mary, sitting at #1, has been registered 3.76 million times. That's not just popular—that's multigenerational dominance.
Frequency tells you how common a name is in everyday life. When you see "1 in 87" next to Mary, it means roughly one out of every 87 girls born in the United States received this name. Elizabeth shows "1 in 207," so you'll encounter fewer Elizabeths than Marys, but it's still incredibly common historically.
These two metrics tell different stories. High total counts mean staying power across decades. Frequency helps you gauge whether your daughter will be one of several kids with the same first name in her class or workplace. Browse 70,000+ namesfor your upcoming baby today!
Percentile Rankings Explained
Percentile rankings show you where a name stands against every other female name in the entire database. Mary's 99.98 percentile means it outranks 99.98% of all other girl names ever recorded in American history.
This matters because thousands of names appear in these records. Only the ones with serious staying power crack the top 100. When you see a percentile in the 99th range, you're looking at something genuinely timeless.
Here's something interesting: Olivia ranks at #53 even though it's extremely popular right now in 2025. These names haven't accumulated as many total occurrences yet because they've only recently gained widespread popularity. Let's understand every metric in depth.
Most Popular Baby Girl Names by Ranking Tiers
Top 10 Popular Names for Girls
Mary dominates with 3.76 million occurrences. Nothing else comes remotely close. Elizabeth and Patricia follow, each crossing the 1.5 million mark.
Jennifer at #4 and Linda at #5 round out the top five. These aren't just trendy choices—they represent names that parents consistently selected across multiple generations. Your grandmother likely knew several women with these names, and you probably do too.
Barbara, Margaret, Susan, Dorothy, and Jessica complete the top 10. Each of these girl names has appeared over one million times in American history. They work across decades, fitting both vintage sensibilities and contemporary preferences whether you're naming a daughter in 1950 or 2025.
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Sarah (#11) and Nancy (#12) sit just under one million occurrences each. Karen (#13) peaked hard in the 1950s and 60s, which explains its high historical ranking.
The 20s tier introduces Kimberly (#20), which exploded in popularity during the 1960s following actress Kim Novak's fame. This shows how cultural influences shape baby name trends over time. Michelle (#22) and Amanda (#24) followed similar patterns, surging during specific decades then stabilizing.
Anna (#25) represents a fascinating case—it's both vintage and modern, appearing consistently across every era. Melissa, Laura, and Rebecca cluster in the late 20s, all peaking during the 1970s and 80s.
The 30s and 40s range includes Amy, Emma, Angela, and Catherine. Emma (#36) particularly deserves attention here. While it ranks 36th historically, it's actually one of the most popular names for baby girls right now in 2025, showing how historical rankings sometimes differ from current trends.
Evelyn (#43), Nicole (#45), and Samantha (#46) close out this tier. Each has crossed the half-million occurrence mark, demonstrating sustained appeal across American families. Here, see the story behind your name.
Top Baby Girl Names Ranked 51 Through 100
This range offers excellent options for parents seeking familiar names without excessive repetition. Olivia (#53) sits here historically but currently ranks among the most popular baby girl names in the United States for newborns.
The 60s tier includes Lauren, Christina, Kelly, and Marie. Grace (#67) and Hannah (#69) both carry biblical significance and have seen renewed interest in recent years as vintage names cycle back into fashion.
Charlotte (#79) represents another name experiencing modern revival. Historically it ranks 79th, but it's climbing rapidly in 2025 popularity lists as parents rediscover classic options.
Sophia (#82), Madison (#83), and Isabella (#89) all rank lower historically because they've only recently gained widespread use. Give these names a few more decades, and they'll likely climb much higher on all-time lists. Abigail (#86) follows this same pattern—relatively new to top popularity but accumulating occurrences quickly.
The final tier from 90 through 100 includes Natalie, Amber, Danielle, and Diana. Each has proven staying power with over 360,000 occurrences, making them recognizable without being overused in most regions.
Check Your Family TreesChoosing Baby Girl Names: Style Categories
Classic Girl Names vs Modern Trends
Classic names dominate the top 50 for good reason—they've proven they work across generations. Mary, Elizabeth, and Margaret function equally well for a baby born in 1920 or 2025. These timeless options age gracefully, fitting toddlers and professionals alike.
Modern trends favor names that feel fresh despite historical presence. Sophia, Olivia, and Isabella all appear in the top 100 historically, but they're experiencing particular popularity right now. Parents in 2025 gravitate toward these because they sound contemporary while maintaining traditional spelling and pronunciation.
The interesting middle ground includes names like Emma, Grace, and Charlotte. They carry vintage charm but don't feel outdated. This category appeals to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive—names that grandparents recognize but aren't currently overused in kindergarten classes.
Current baby name trends also show parents mixing classic first names with more unique middle name choices or vice versa. This strategy provides children with options as they grow, letting them choose which name feels right for different life stages.
Try the Free AI Name Generator Today!Short Names for Girls That Stand Out
Short names pack significant impact. Ann (#68) delivers classic simplicity in just three letters—no nickname needed because it already is one. Rose (#77) offers similar brevity while evoking natural imagery.
Lisa (#15) works across decades despite its brevity. Jean (#72) maintains this same quality. These names avoid the complications longer names sometimes create with spelling and pronunciation.
Ruth (#28) and Anna (#25) show how short names achieve high rankings. They're memorable, fit easily on forms, and sound confident when spoken aloud. For parents seeking simplicity, these options eliminate potential complications while providing historically proven popularity.
Amy (#35), Sara (#81), and Jane (#99) round out notable short options. Each feels complete rather than abbreviated, giving daughters names that work professionally and personally without requiring explanation or correction. Generate adorable nicknames here!
Popular Baby Names: Comparing Girl Names and Boy Names
Gender Differences in Naming Patterns
Girl names show more variety than boy names historically. The SSA data reveals that parents tend to diversify more when naming daughters, leading to a broader range of options compared to naming sons.
Top names like Mary and Elizabeth maintained dominance for decades, but the gap between first and subsequent rankings is less dramatic than with boy names. This suggests parents felt more freedom to experiment with girl names while staying more traditional with names for boys.
Spelling variations also appear more frequently with girl names. Catherine and Katherine both rank in the top 100, showing how parents adapted traditional options. This flexibility creates more choices for families seeking familiar names with personal touches.
Gender-Neutral Names and Unisex Alternatives
Gender-neutral names have grown significantly in recent years, though they don't dominate historical rankings. Parents in 2025 and 2026 increasingly choose options that work for both boys and girls.
Andrea (#73) sometimes crosses gender lines, though it remains predominantly female in American usage. The concept of gender-neutral names reflects changing attitudes about identity and expression in modern naming practices.
Names like Emerson, which historically leaned masculine, now appear regularly for girls. This shift demonstrates how naming conventions evolve over time. While traditional girl names maintain their popularity, these alternatives provide additional options for families preferring flexible choices.
The trend toward gender-neutral naming hasn't significantly impacted the top 100 historical rankings yet, but current data from the SSA suggests this may change in coming decades as these naming patterns establish themselves.
Pairing Popular Baby Girl Names with Surnames
Creating Balanced Name Combinations
Pairing a given name with your last name requires considering sound flow and rhythm. Single-syllable surnames like Smith or Jones pair well with longer options like Elizabeth or Catherine. This creates natural balance when the full name is spoken.
Multi-syllable last names work better with shorter picks. A surname like Anderson or Washington flows smoothly with Ann, Rose, or Ruth. Testing the full name aloud helps identify whether the combination sounds harmonious or awkward.
Before combining the first and last name, let’s check their compatibility!
Consider how the name looks written out too. Some combinations create unfortunate initials or visual patterns. Checking the full name's appearance on paper prevents later surprises when your daughter starts signing documents.
Surname meaning sometimes influences first name choices. Families with occupational surnames might choose options that complement rather than clash with the family name. This creates cohesive identity while honoring both personal preference and heritage.
Think about whether the surname already carries strong cultural associations. An Irish surname might pair naturally with traditional Irish choices, though mixing cultural backgrounds in naming has become increasingly common and celebrated in the United States.
FAQ About Popular USA Female Names
What is the most popular baby girl name in USA history?
Mary holds the clear top position with 3.76 million occurrences across 115+ years of Social Security records. Nothing else comes remotely close to this level of historical dominance. Elizabeth ranks second with approximately 1.58 million occurrences, still significantly behind Mary's total.
However, current popularity differs from historical rankings. While Mary dominated throughout the 20th century, names like Olivia, Emma, and Sophia lead recent lists of the most popular names in 2025 for newborns.
How is name frequency calculated for girl names?
Frequency represents how often a name appears within the population. The calculation divides the total U.S. population by the number of people with that name. Mary's frequency of "1 in 87" means that on average, one out of every 87 American females has this name.
The Social Security Administration compiles this data from Social Security card applications submitted since 1880. Every birth registered in the United States contributes to these statistics, making them the most comprehensive naming records available.
Are these popular names for girls still used today?
Many names on this list remain solid baby choices in 2025, though usage patterns vary significantly. Emma, Olivia, Sophia, Charlotte, and Isabella all rank highly both historically and currently. These names bridge generations successfully.
Others like Dorothy, Betty, or Mildred appear less frequently on recent birth certificates. Naming trends cycle over approximately 100-year periods, so some historically common options may feel dated now but could return to favor in future decades.
Names like Emily, Sarah, Hannah, and Grace maintain steady usage across decades. They avoid feeling specifically tied to any era, making them reliable choices for parents in any year.
What does percentile mean in baby name rankings?
Percentile shows how a name compares to all other female names in the database. A 99.98 percentile ranking means that name is more popular than 99.98% of all other girl names recorded in American history.
This measurement accounts for the thousands of different names appearing in SSA records. Only names with exceptional historical usage achieve percentiles above 99%. Lower percentiles don't indicate unpopular names—they simply reflect the massive variety of naming choices American parents have made over 115+ years.
How do popular baby girl names differ from boy names in trends?
Girl names show greater variety and faster trend cycles compared to boy names. Historical data reveals that parents experiment more with female naming, creating broader diversity in options.
Spelling variations appear more frequently with girl names. Parents might choose Catherine, Katherine, or Kathryn, all appearing separately in rankings. Boy names typically maintain more consistent spelling.
Cultural influences affect girl names more noticeably. Celebrity names, fictional characters, and cultural moments create surges in female naming that appear less dramatically with boy names. This makes girl name trends more dynamic but potentially less predictable across generations.