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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strong-willed warrior
Irishpeace, fruitfulness
Englishmotion, wandering
Hebrewrival, striving
Englisholive tree
Englishdivine present
Englishruler of the homeland
Englishgift of Yahweh
Spanishmy God is Yahweh
Hebrewwished-for child, life
Englishacolyte, one who serves
Spanishharp player, harper
Englishassociated with, united
Hebrewstrong, powerful
Jewishgoddess of the moon
Latincompassion, sympathy
Englishfrom Sebastia, venerable
Englishviolet color, purple
Englishdawn
EnglishGod is my salvation
Jewishhazel tree
Englishfortunate, prosperous
Jewishbright, shining light
Englishheart, mind, spirit
Americanwoman of honor
IrishGod is gracious
Italianman from Lucania
Italianlion-hearted, brave
Englishthe Lord is my God
Greeklioness of God
Italianseller of scarlet cloth
Englishweaver, one who weaves
GreekSaint James
Spanishbelonging to Julius
Latingracious, dear, beloved
Slaviclight, illumination
Englishlight, bringer of light
Greekisland
Scottishfidelity, friendship (symbolic)
Englishindependent thinker, nonconformist
Americannight, dark beauty
Arabicmerciful, gentle
Englishbright light, shining one
Englishnew
EnglishFrom the Hebrew 'Yitzhak'; the biblical patriar...
Englishfreedom, grace
EnglishFrom the Roman family name Aemilius; variant of...
Italianhero of God, man of God
EnglishFrom Hebrew 'Noomi'; the biblical Naomi was the...
Englishone who carries
EnglishBright, shining light; torch
Italianworthy, powerful
Italianson of Gray
EnglishStar
ItalianFrom the Middle English 'couper' or Middle Low ...
Englishseductive, alluring
Englishfree man
Englishstrong, powerful one
Latinthe Lord heals
Hebrewmay God strengthen him
Hebrewnoble oath
EnglishSaint James
Brazilian Portuguesemay God add children
Frenchprincess, noblewoman
Englishnoble, nobility, of noble kind
Frenchthe blessed one
Englishthe paisley pattern, ornate beauty
Scottishtruth
Englishred, ruby-colored
Englishwide, broad
Frenchwayside land, roadside settlement
Americanroyal child of heaven
Hawaiianone who lives near a brook
Americandeer, gazelle
Turkishfine, lovely
Americanwork-power, powerful ruler
Americanwestern farmstead, western settlement
Americangoddess of the rainbow, messenger of the gods
Greekrowan tree (mountain ash)
Irishdelight, pleasure
Hebrewlake colony, settlement by the pool
Americanruler of the estate
Italianshe who intoxicates
Irishthe daisy flower
Englishtriumph, victory
Hawaiianalive, full of life
Englishfather of peace
Swedishlily flower
Spanishgift of God
Englishfrom the boar meadow
Englishof the forest
Englishnoble strength
Englishcloth walker; fuller of cloth
Englishborn at night
Englishstrong as a lion
Italianbrave as a wild boar
Englishking's meadow
Englishwho is like God?
Englishstrength, work
Englishgreat, magnificent
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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