Popular Girl Names: Top Baby Girl Names in the US
Names like Ellie and Harper may be popular girl names, but other options are also rising in popularity. Celeste, for example, has Greek and Latin roots and means heavenly.
Other rising girls’ names include Dora, a cute choice inspired by the adventurous cartoon character, and Grace, which stands for divine favor and beauty—actress Grace Kelly is a notable namesake.
1. Ella
When it comes to choosing a baby girl name, parents look for linguistic appeal, ease of pronunciation, and positive cultural associations. Ella offers all these elements.
Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald, known as “First Lady of Song,” and the movie Ella Enchanted have helped to keep this girl’s name at a steady popularity high. But it also fits with a wide range of middle names and works well as part of compound names like Ella-Mae or Ella-Lily.
Nameberry’s 2024 trend report cites a rise in girls’ names that “make feminism feminine” — including names such as Dorothea, Guinevere, Lavender and Matilda. But the simple beauty of Ella has timeless appeal.
2. Emily
Emily, derived from the Roman name Aemilius, suggests industriousness and an eagerness to succeed. This popular girl name may also evoke a sense of nobility and sophistication.
Famous Emilys include reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson and English author Emily Bront, both of whom left behind powerful literary legacies. Others like Emily Blunt, Emily VanCamp, and Emily Ratajkowski enchant audiences with their beauty and talent on screen.
The sweet sound of Emily offers a delightful alternative to more formal names like Olivia and Emma. It’s easy to imagine a little girl named Emily growing up to be a smart, poised woman with the confidence to lead her own path.
3. Harper
The name Harper, which pays tribute to author Harper Lee, has climbed the charts for both boys and girls. This unique girls’ name could inspire your little one to be fearless and overcome the odds.
Other ethereal girls’ names include Freya, the Norse goddess of love and war, and Galatea, the name of a beautiful Greek statue brought to life by Pygmalion. For a light-hearted name, consider Lucinda, which is inspired by the fourth-century Christian martyr Saint Lucy and also shared by Queen Isabella of Spain and Kate Winslet.
4. Hazel
Hazel was among the top 25 names for girls at the turn of the twentieth century, but it began to slip down the ranks after 1960. The name returned to popularity when Julia Roberts named one of her twin daughters Hazel in 2004, and it has since gained momentum thanks to celebrity parents like Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.
Like the tree it derives from, Hazel is a beautiful choice that evokes both the color and the earthy spirit of the woods. It also represents the wisdom and connection to nature that many parents seek for their child. Nickname possibilities include Violet, Olive, and Ivy—the latter favored by Jay-Z and Beyonce for their daughter Blue Ivy.
5. Isabella
Isabella is one of the most popular girls’ names in the United States, though it dipped out of the top 1,000 for 50 years. It’s back now, thanks to a number of women who have made a positive impact on society and also because it is a very pretty name that’s perfect for any little girl.
Other resurgent girl names include Kamala and Ruth, after trailblazers like the country’s first female vice president and the Supreme Court justice, as well as the tomboyish Josephine from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women books or the telekinetic Matilda from Roald Dahl. Nature-inspired names like Willow and Zoe (an alternate spelling of Zoey) have also become hot picks.
6. Kate
A beautiful name with old-fashioned charm, Kate evokes a sense of pristine beauty. It’s also a very feminine name, with a feisty side—just think of the character from Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew.
Parents love names that are both strong and meaningful, a trend spotted by BabyCenter. Names like Grace and Serenity exemplify this, as do Kamala and Ruth—after trailblazers like the country’s first black female vice president and Supreme Court Justice, respectively.
Unique girls’ names are also rising in popularity, like Wrenlee and Neriah. Other options include Nora, a shortened form of Eleanor and a city in Italy, and Florence, a romantic choice with Latin roots that means flourishing.
7. Lucy
Nameberry reports that a number of popular girl names are inspired by television shows. Parents are using names like Addison and Lily to honor fictional characters, including favorites from “Hannah Montana” (Lily Truscott) and the girls of ‘Gilmore Girls’ (Lorelai, Rory and even Delilah).
Other new girl names on the rise include Olivia, Amelia, Sophia and Ava. European names are also making the list, including the lovely Gianna (a shortened version of Giovanna). A lot of the fastest growing girls’ names start with an “A.” The letter also seems to be a popular choice for middle names, like Evelyn and Aria.
8. Madelyn
There’s nothing like a unique girl name to set your daughter apart from her peers. These rare gems may not pop up on every child’s birth certificate, but they’ll definitely help your girl stand out from the crowd.
Madelyn has been in the Social Security Administration’s top 1,000 names since 1900 and has recently risen in popularity. It can be spelled Madeleine, Madalyn, Madilynn and many other variations. Plus, it’s cute enough to inspire a whole host of adorable nicknames like Madi and Maddy.
Nameberry also notes that some parents have found inspiration for girls’ names from popular TV shows like Bridgerton (Daphne, Hyacinth, Philippa and Francesca), old faves like Gilmore Girls (Lorelai and Rory) and streaming series like WandaVision (Wanda, Agatha and Veronica). The options are endless!