Here are all the names that entered and left the U.S. top 1000 in 2016! There are 45 new girls’ names and 42 new boys’ names. Remember, the top 1000 is America’s threshold for popularity. Baby names below the top 1000 are considered rare.
New:
- Aadhya, Ailani, Alessia, Alianna, Alyvia, Amayah, Anniston, Antonella, Antonia, Ari, Aubri, Ayana, Belle, Bexley, Blaire, Calliope, Chandler, Davina, Ellianna, Emmie, Harleigh, Itzayana, Jana, Joelle, Kaylani, Kehlani, Louise, Maren, Mavis, Maxine, Maylee, Mercy, Nalani, Novalee, Poppy, Ramona, Rayne, Reign, Riya, Rosalyn, Royalty, Saoirse, Sylvie, Tinsley, Vada
- Ahmir, Alistair, Benicio, Brayson, Bridger, Brysen, Eason, Eliezer, Creed, Foster, Fox, Greysen, Gus, Hakeem, Harris, Howard, Ira, Jad, Jair, Jamar, Jeremias, Jericho, Karim, Keanu, Khalid, Koda, Konner, Krish, Kylo, Leif, Lyle, Maddux, Merrick, Mikael, Ramiro, Ralph, Shepherd, Tadeo, Tristian, Wesson, Westley, Zyaire
Through data adjustment, Yisroel is new for both 2016 and 2015.
Yes, Kylo (like Kylo Ren) is a popular baby name now! My mom didn’t react very well when I told her.
Royalty (581 girls) was the highest debut in the girls’ list, followed by Reign (344). Fox (323) was the most popular entry to the boys’ list.
Exits:
- Aimee, Alissa, Alisson, America, Aminah, Angeline, Avalyn, Asia, Aubrianna, Bryanna, Caitlin, Caitlyn, Charlize, Cordelia, Denise, Dixie, Emmalee, Giavanna, Ireland, Jaida, Janiya, Jaylin, Jenny, Jocelynn, Jordynn, Kaelynn, Katelynn, Kaitlynn, Kayden, Kensington, Kiley, Kimora, Kristen, Kyndall, Libby, Lindsay, Mollie, Natalee, Neriah, Sarahi, Saniyah, Sidney, Tara, Taya, Yaritza
- Aaden, Aarush, Ayan, Aydan, Bishop, Boden, Brice, Camren, Chace, Chevy, Cristopher, Davin, Deangelo, Deshawn, Dilan, Ean, Frankie, Freddy, Haiden, Jadon, Jayvion, Jonael, Jordyn, Jovani, Juelz, Kaeden, Kamren, Kamron, Kylen, Malaki, Osvaldo, Quintin, Rashad, Reagan, Robin, Rodolfo, Todd, Triston, Truman, Tyrone, Yaakov, Yadiel
Due to data adjustment, Antoine is out of the top 1000 for both 2016 and 2015.
Reagan was used often enough to be in the top 1000, but was forced out by #1000 Jonathon. When names are used equally, alphabetical order determines rank preference.
Notice how all those spellings of Caitlin are suddenly rare? The prevailing theory is that Caitlyn Jenner killed any popularity the name still had (which wasn’t a lot, admittedly). I agree that this is why, but I wonder if last year’s “Kaitlyn spelled with Roman numerals” scare also turned some parents off the name.
Thoughts? What are your favorite entering names? Are you disappointed that any left? Finally, do you know any people with these names?
Personally:
- I’m impressed that my fellow Americans are using so heavily Irish a name as Saoirse and spelling it correctly!
- Very happy that Calliope, Poppy, and Alistair are popular names now! Davina is also a lovely surprise. Sad to see Cordelia gone (again).
- Over the years, I’ve met people named Antonella, Chandler (both genders), Gus, Lyle, Maren, and maybe Karim & Ramiro. There was also supposed to be a Mercy in my 2nd grade class, but she never appeared. 😦 I did encounter a baby Saoirse last year, though!
- From the exiting names, I’ve known people called Aimee, Brice (female), Denise, Frankie (male), Lindsay, Natalee, and Todd. I’ve also met too many Caitlin‘s (or Kaitlynn‘s, Kaitlin‘s, etc.) to count.
P.S. – You can check this list of entries and exits against my predictions.
Source: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html
Edit 5/15/17: Fox was actually the top boys’ name debut.
The Well-Informed Namer 