Surprising Baby Name Trends In The U.S.
When the Social Security Administration releases its list of most popular baby names in the U.S. each year, the top 10 picks are rarely shocking. Names like Liam, Noah, Emma and Olivia have consistently topped the charts for the past decade.
But when you take a closer look at the agency’s latest data, you’ll find some unexpected trends. From the rise of less traditional choices like Oaklynn and Sincere to the decline of old favorites like Scott and Julia, we’ve rounded up 15 surprising baby name statistics from 2023.
Juniper is more popular than Julia.
In 2023, 2,382 baby girls were named Juniper, making it the 113th most popular choice among female names. Meanwhile, Julia ranked 122nd, with 2,290 newborn baby Julias.
Maverick is more popular than Thomas.
Maverick is a Top 50 baby name for boys, with 6,962 little Mavericks born in 2023. The name currently ranks at No. 37, four spots above Thomas at No. 41. Last year, 6,598 baby boys were named Thomas.
Ezekiel is one of the top names for boys in New Mexico and Hawaii.
Per the SSA’s data, the top names on a national level ― like Liam, Noah and Oliver ― tend to dominate on the state level, but there are some outliers. One is Ezekiel, which ranked 50th nationally but was the fourth most popular name for newborn boys in Hawaii and fifth in New Mexico last year.
Khaleesi is more popular than Chelsea.
Although there were many news articles about the rise of “Game of Thrones”-related names when the fantasy show was popular, the trend’s staying power has been somewhat surprising. In 2023, 397 baby girls were named Khaleesi ― the royal title of Emilia Clarke’s character. The name ranks at No. 709, one spot above the more familiar Chelsea.
Enzo is more popular than Adam.
Despite its historic popularity and religious significance, Adam is not in the top 100. The name ranks at No. 102 ― below less traditional names like No. 90 Enzo, which went to 3,796 newborn boys in 2023. By comparison, only 3,474 boys were named Adam last year.
Oaklynn, Oaklee, Oakley and Oakleigh are each individually more popular than Meredith.
Although the name Meredith has been rising in recent years (from No. 570 in 2021 to No. 549 in 2022 to No. 509 last year), it still sits below several more modern Oak-names on the popularity list: Oaklynn (No. 157), Oaklee (No. 445), Oakley (No. 153) and Oakleigh (No. 508).
Sincere is more popular than Scott.
Sincere is the 592nd most popular name for boys, while Scott is No. 599. In 2023, 477 baby boys were named Sincere, while there were 471 newborn Scotts.
Fewer than 100 girls were named Shannon, Lindsay, Tracy, Gretchen or Lacy last year.
In 2023, there were 75 newborn baby girls named Tracy, 64 Gretchens, 59 Lacys 92 Lindsays and 96 Shannons. Tracy fell out of the top 1,000 ranking after 2004, while Lacy dropped off after 2005, Gretchen after 2008, Shannon after 2013 and Lindsay after 2015.
Chozen is one of the fastest-rising names for boys.
While increasing numbers of parents have recently chosen the name Chosen for their newborn, the alternate spelling Chozen saw an even bigger jump last year. Between 2022 and 2023, the name Chozen rose 666 spots to No. 813 on the list of the most popular names for boys, with 300 newborn Chozens. Meanwhile, Chosen rose 225 spots from No. 896 to No. 671.
Serenity is more popular than Rose.
Serenity didn’t enter the Top 1,000 until 1997, but in 2023, it sat at No. 105 with 2,548 baby girls named Serenity. The classic Rose fell to No. 124, with only 2,237 baby Roses born last year.
Waylon and Grayson are two of the top names for boys in West Virginia.
While Waylon ranks at No. 62 in the U.S. as a whole, it’s the No. 2 name for boys in the state of West Virginia. Similarly, Grayson is No. 44 nationally but No. 3 in West Virginia.
Giovanni is more popular than George.
The name George has a long history in the English speaking world ― consistently occupying the U.S. Top 10 until the 1930s. But today, it’s down to No. 136 with 2,689 baby Georges born in 2023. The Italian name Giovanni, however, ranks higher at No. 123, with 2,911 Giovannis born last year.
Jream is more popular than Adele.
With 355 baby girls named Jream in 2023, this alternate spelling of Dream ranks at No. 789. That makes Jream more popular than more classic choices like Adele, which ranked at No. 823 and went to 334 baby girls last year ― as well as former top names like Linda (now No. 842) and Lisa (No. 850).
Miley is one of the fastest-rising names for girls.
Miley Cyrus has been on the music scene for many years now, but in 2023, her name saw its biggest ever jump since joining the Top 1,000 in 2007. The name Miley rose 251 spots from No. 703 in 2022 to No. 452 last year when 681 baby Mileys were born.
Ryker is more popular than Peter.
Peter peaked at No. 35 in the 1955, but now it’s down to No. 2010, with 1,738 baby Peters born in 2023. Ryker, however, ranks higher at No. 184, with 1,976 boys named Ryker last year.
