Tara Gunn
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Naming your newborn is one of the most exciting decisions you’ll make as a parent. Thankfully, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has released its much-anticipated list of baby names for the year, offering plenty of inspiration. This year's rankings reflect a blend of timeless classics and contemporary trends, with names influenced by culture, history, and modern preferences.
What Were the Top 10 Baby Girl Names 2024?
According to the SSA, these names have consistently been popular choices for parents in recent years and show no signs of slowing down in popularity.
- Olivia - Derived from Latin, meaning "olive tree" and symbolizing peace. Olivia continues to top the charts with its elegance and enduring charm.
- Emma - A German-origin name meaning "whole" or "universal," loved for its simplicity and timeless appeal.
- Charlotte - A French feminine form of Charles, meaning "free man." This sophisticated choice remains a parental favorite.
- Amelia - With Latin and Germanic roots, meaning "industrious" or "work." Amelia is becoming a go-to name for parents who love classic charm.
- Sophia - Meaning "wisdom" in Greek, Sophia is celebrated for its graceful and intelligent connotation.
- Mia - Short and sweet, this Italian name means "mine" and exudes simplicity and affection.
- Isabella - A romantic Hebrew-origin name meaning "pledged to God," offering a blend of beauty and historical significance.
- Ava - Latin for "life" or "bird," Ava’s short, melodic structure keeps it trendy and loved.
- Evelyn - Meaning "wished for" or "longed for" in English, Evelyn's vintage elegance has found new popularity.
- Luna - A name of Latin origin meaning "moon," Luna’s celestial charm continues to capture hearts worldwide.
These names reflect parents' desire to balance modern trends with classic appeal, creating meaningful, culture-rich choices for their daughters.
Do you have a son, or are you interested in popular unisex names and trends? Check out our overview of the Top 1,000 Boy Names or Top Unisex Baby Names!
Predictions for the Top Baby Girl Names of 2025
Looking ahead, we anticipate a few names climbing the charts next year, driven by cultural influences, media, and evolving naming trends:
- Eliana - Meaning "God has answered," this name blends modern appeal with ancient roots.
- Maeve - A short Irish name meaning "intoxicating," Maeve symbolizes strength and a regal charm.
- Aurora - Expected to rise further due to its celestial and poetic beauty.
- Amara - Meaning "grace" or "bitter" depending on origin, this name resonates across cultures.
- Juniper - A fresh, nature-inspired choice tied closely to outdoor beauty and adventure.
- Leilani - Hawaiian for "heavenly garland of flowers," this name beautifully reflects nature and serenity.
- Aaliyah - Meaning "exalted" in Arabic, it's a timeless and elegant choice in multicultural naming trends.
- Isla - A Scottish name meaning "island," Isla evokes tranquility and natural beauty.
- Aria - Of Italian origin meaning "air" or "song," Aria resonates with grace and musicality, making it a lyrical and heartfelt choice.
- Esme - A French-origin name meaning "beloved" or "esteemed," Esme is rising in popularity for its charm and simplicity.
We’re also seeing growing interest in multicultural names that celebrate the diversity of a globalized world, such as Leilani and Aaliyah, showcasing beauty across different cultures.
Girl's Name Trends Shaping the Year
This year, several naming trends are taking center stage, helping inform why certain names resonate more deeply with parents.
- Vintage Comebacks: Names like Eleanor, Hazel, and Violet are making a strong resurgence, appealing to those drawn to nostalgia and timeless beauty.
- Nature-Inspired Choices: Willow, Aurora, and Autumn reflect a growing fascination with the natural world. These names evoke serenity and connection to the earth.
- Short and Versatile Names: Look to Zoe, Ivy, and Luna for simplicity and ease of use on a global scale.
Names like Isla and Aurora are rising swiftly, appealing to modern parents for their lyrical, meaningful qualities. Isla carries a soft, elegant tone, while Aurora denotes "dawn," a beautiful symbol of new beginnings.
Meanwhile, nature continues to inspire—Willow and Luna hint at the natural and celestial, making them top picks. Aria, with its association to music and artistry, has also gained momentum as a creative, melodious choice.
Explore Baby Girl Name Categories
Beyond the Top 10, there are countless options, including names inspired by literature, mythology, and even food. Here are a few categories to consider as you search for the perfect name for your little girl:
- ✨🌸 Rare Girl Names: Unique and uncommon names that will make your little one stand out. Browse Unique Girl's Names!
- 🔤🌟 Girl Names That Start With A-Z: A comprehensive list of beautiful girl names for every letter of the alphabet. Browse Alphabetical Girl's Names!
- 👑💎 Royal Girl Names: Elegant and regal names inspired by queens, princesses, and noblewomen throughout history. Browse Regal Girl's Names!
- 🌍🎭 Cultural Girl Names: Names with deep cultural roots, celebrating heritage and tradition from around the world. Browse Girl's Names by Origin!
Overall, whether you're drawn to classic beauty or fresh originality, there's sure to be a name on this list that will perfectly suit your little girl. Search popular names and meanings on Family Education.
What Girl Names Are Declining?
While some names are soaring, others have seen their popularity wane. Names like Ruthie, Lorelai, Chanel, and India have dropped in rankings over recent years, as parents shift toward fresher alternatives.
This decline doesn’t diminish their beauty or significance, however. These names may hold historic or familial value, making them timeless choices for those who cherish tradition.
Final Thoughts on Girl Names
The SSA’s latest data reveals that parents are seeking names that balance meaningful history with modern charm. Whether you’re drawn to elegant classics like Olivia and Emma, or unique, rising stars like Isla and Luna, there’s no shortage of inspiration.
Still searching for the perfect name? Explore our top 1,000 Baby Girl Names below to learn about meanings, origins, and rising stars. Find the one that resonates most with your family and start your naming adventure!
The 1,000 Most Popular Baby Names for Girls
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1.
Olivia
Olivia is originally derived from the Latin word "oliva" meaning "olive" or "olive tree", and is a feminine form of Oliver. This name symbolizes peace and friendship.
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2.
Emma
The name Emma is derived from the Germanic word "ermen", meaning "whole" or "universal."
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3.
Charlotte
Charlotte is a diminutive form of the name Charles. Charlotte, meaning "free man" or "petite", is also the female form of Charlot.
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4.
Amelia
Amelia is a variant of Amalia, which is derived from the Germanic word "amal" meaning "work", and connoting industriousness and fertility.
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5.
Sophia
The baby girl name Sophia has Greek origins meaning "wisdom."
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6.
Mia
Mia means "ocean goddess" or "queen"; it can also mean "guardian of justice". It is derived from many names, most commonly from the name Maria.
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7.
Isabella
The baby girl name Isabella comes from the Hebrew name Elisheba, a form of Elizabeth. Isabella means "consecrated" or "pledged to God."
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8.
Ava
Ava is a name that dates back to medieval times with Germanic origins. It is an abbreviation of a Germanic name containing the first element aw-, of uncertain meaning. It also has Latin and Hebrew roots, meaning life.
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9.
Evelyn
Originally used as a surname, the girl's name Evelyn means "wished for child" and has English name origins and roots.
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10.
Luna
Luna is a girl's name that means "moon" in Italian. Luna is also the name of the female Roman embodiment of the moon.
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11.
Harper
Harper is of English origin and means "harp player." It originally referred to someone who played the harp, symbolizing musical talent and artistry.
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12.
Sofia
Sofia is a variation of Sophia, meaning "wisdom" and of Greek origins.
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13.
Camila
Camila is the Italian, Portuguese and Spanish form of the name Camilla.
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14.
Eleanor
Of English origin, the name Eleanor derives from the Provencal phrase alia Aenor, meaning "other Aenor." It also has Greek roots meaning "light."
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15.
Elizabeth
The name Elizabeth has religious roots and origins in Hebrew. Elizabeth can have several meanings including "my God is an oath", "my God is abundance", and "pledged to God".
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16.
Violet
The name Violet is of Latin origin and means "purple."
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17.
Scarlett
Scarlett was originally used as an English surname and given to people who sold cloth of scarlet. It directly means "scarlet" or "red."
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18.
Emily
Emily, meaning "rival" or "eager", denotes someone who is industrious or hardworking and comes from the Latin name Aemilia or Roman family name Aemilius.
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19.
Hazel
The name Hazel is of English origin and means "hazel tree." Historically, a wand of hazel symbolized protection and authority.
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20.
Lily
The name Lily comes from the Latin word lilium. Lily, meaning "pure", "passion", or "rebirth", is derived from the flower of the same name.
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21.
Gianna
The name Gianna is of Italian origin and means "the Lord is gracious."
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22.
Aurora
The baby girl name Aurora is of Latin origin and means "dawn."
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23.
Penelope
Penelope is of Greek origin and means "weaver." It is derived from the Greek name Penelops, which refers to a type of duck, symbolizing resourcefulness and loyalty.
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24.
Aria
The meaning of Aria varies by language. In Italian it directly means "air", but can also mean "melody" or "song."
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25.
Nora
The name Nora, meaning "honor", has origins as a nickname or a shortened version of the name Honora, the Latin word for honor.
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26.
Chloe
The girl name Chloe means "blooming" or "fertility" in Greek.
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27.
Ellie
Ellie is of Greek origin and means "bright shining one." It is a diminutive of Eleanor or Ellen, meaning "light" or "torch."
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28.
Mila
Mila has Russian and Slavic roots and origins. It comes from the diminutive of Slavic names beginning or ending with Mila (for example, Ludmila). These nicknames are derived from the element Mil, meaning "gracious" or "dear".
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29.
Avery
Avery is a baby girl's name of English origin, meaning "ruler of elves." It has recently become more unisex, even used for baby boy names.
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30.
Layla
Layla is a girl's name of Hebrew and Arabic origin that means "night" or "dark beauty."
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31.
Abigail
The baby girl name Abigail has Hebrew origins and is derived from the Hebrew name Avigayil, which means "my father's joy" or "father's joy."
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32.
Ella
The name Ella is linked to the Hebrew name "Ellah," which means "goddess" or "a tree," adding layers of natural and divine significance to its meaning.
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33.
Isla
The name Isla is of Scottish and Spanish origin and means "island."
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34.
Eliana
The baby girl's name Eliana is of Hebrew origin, meaning "my God has answered", as well as having European roots that mean "Sun" or "of the Sun."
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35.
Nova
Nova is of Latin origin and means "new."
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36.
Madison
First popularized as an English surname, Madison is also a boy or girl's first name of English origin, meaning "son of Maud" or "son of Matthew."
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37.
Zoe
The name Zoe is of Greek origin meaning "life."
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38.
Ivy
Ivy is of English origin and means "faithfulness." It represents the climbing evergreen plant, symbolizing fidelity and eternal life.
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39.
Grace
The name Grace, meaning "favor", is derived from the the Latin word "gratia", which means "blessing."
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40.
Lucy
Lucy is of Latin origin and means "light." It is the English variation of Lucia, meaning "bringer of light" or "illumination."
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41.
Willow
The name Willow is of English origin and means "willow tree" and "freedom." It was derived from the Old English word welig, meaning “willow.”
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42.
Emilia
The name Emilia is of Spanish, Italian, Hungarian and means "rival."
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43.
Riley
The name Riley is of Old English and Irish origins and means "valiant" or "couragous."
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44.
Naomi
The name Naomi is of Hebrew origin and means "pleasantness", but has a separate Japanese origins as a unisex name meaning "straight and beautiful."
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45.
Victoria
The name Victoria is a common girl's name of Latin origin that means "victory."
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46.
Stella
The name Stella is of Latin origin and means "star." It was popularized in the 16th century by Sir Philip Sidney's poetry collection, Astrophel and Stella.
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47.
Elena
Elena is of Greek origin and means "shining light." It is the Spanish and Italian variation of Helen, symbolizing beauty and brightness.
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48.
Hannah
Deriving from the Hebrew name Channah, Hannah is a beautiful baby girl's name that means "grace."
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49.
Valentina
The name Valentina is of Latin origin and means "good health" and "strength."
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50.
Maya
The name Maya has multiple origins including "water" in Hebrew and "illusion" in Sanskrit, and also relates to the Roman goddess of spring, Maia.
Baby girl names by letter
