Names with upward momentum in the SSA rankings. These names have been climbing year-over-year — popular enough that teachers will have heard them, uncommon enough that your kid won't share the name with three classmates. The window on most of these closes within 3-5 years.
100 names — data from the U.S. Social Security Administration
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will-helmet, resolute protector
Irisholive tree
Englishmotion, wandering
Hebrewwork, industriousness
Englisholive tree
Englishgift of God
Englishhome ruler, estate ruler
Englishgift of Yahweh
Spanishmy God is Yahweh
Hebrewhazelnut, little bird
Englishswift, noble
Spanishmusician, entertainer
Englishassociated with, united
Hebrewstrong, powerful
Jewishmoon
Latincompassion, sympathy
Englishfrom Sebastia, venerable
Englishviolet color, purple
Englishdawn
EnglishGod is my light
Jewishhazel tree
Englishfortunate, prosperous
Jewishbright, shining light
Englishheart, mind, spirit
Americanlight
Irishgift of God
Italianfrom Lucania
Italianlion-hearted, brave
Englishthe Lord is my God
Greeklioness of God
Italianseller of scarlet cloth
Englishweaver, one who weaves
GreekSaint James
Spanishof the Julius family
Latingracious, dear, beloved
Slavicborn at dawn or daylight
Englishman from Lucania
Greekisland
Scottishfidelity, friendship (symbolic)
Englishindependent thinker, non-conformist
Americannight, dark beauty
Arabicsoldier
Englishbright light, shining one
EnglishNew
Englishlaughter, joy
Englishfreedom, grace
EnglishFrom the Roman family name Aemilius; variant of...
Italianhero of God, man of God
Englishpleasant, sweet
EnglishFrom the Old Norse 'kartr' meaning cart; an occ...
Englishbright, shining light
Italianworthy, powerful
Italianson of Gray
Englishstar
ItalianFrom the Middle English 'couper' or Middle Low ...
Englishseductive, alluring
Englishman, full-grown man
Englishcitizen of Rome, Roman
LatinGod supports, Yahweh heals
Hebrewmay God strengthen
Hebrewlily flower, pure
EnglishSaint James, pilgrimage patron
Brazilian Portuguesemay God add children
Frenchdiminutive of Sarah
Englishnoble, nobility, of noble kind
Frenchthe blessed one
Englishchurch, basilica
Scottishnoble, of noble kind
Englishred gemstone, precious red jewel
Englishwide, broad
Frenchdivine smith, master craftsman
Americanroyal child of heaven
Hawaiianone who lives near a brook
Americanoak tree
Turkishfine, lovely
Americanindustrious, brave
Americanwestern farmstead, western settlement
Americanrainbow
Greekrowan tree (mountain ash)
Irishdelight, pleasure
Hebrewlake colony, settlement by the pool
Americanruler of the estate
Italianintoxicating one, mead-like
Irishday's eye
Englishearth
Hawaiianalive, full of life
Englishdivine reward
Swedishlily flower
Spanishdivine
Englishfrom the boar meadow
Englishof the forest
Englishnoble power
Englishcloth walker; fuller of cloth
Englishborn at night
Englishlion-bold; brave as a lion
Italianstrong as a boar
Englishking's wood; royal clearing
Englishone who resembles God
Englishgentle strength; industrious
Englishgreat, venerable, majestic
EnglishRising names are identified by comparing SSA rankings year-over-year. A name is rising when its rank number has decreased (moved closer to #1) across multiple recent years.
Depends on what you want. Rising names are still uncommon now, but they'll be more common in 5 years. If you want a name that ages well and sounds current, rising names are a strong choice. If you want something truly rare, look further down the list.
Pop culture is the biggest driver — a character on a hit show, a celebrity baby announcement, or a public figure with that name. Some names rise organically as parents rediscover older names with good sounds.
Browse by origin, meaning, syllables, or decade. Or run a tournament and let head-to-head matchups find your favorite.
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