Expectant parents are always on the lookout for unique baby names, especially for their baby girls. Unlike years ago, uncommon names have become more accepted. Unfortunately, in the quest to find unique names, baby name trends in the 1990s and 2000s have developed quickly, and uncommon names suddenly find themselves on the Top 100 baby name list. It seems like everyone's using the same "unique" names!
Remember, trendy isn't the same thing as popular. The Top 100 Baby Name List is dotted with popular names like Emma, Sarah, and Grace. Kids with these names will be stuck with being Emma G. in school, but these classic names will never go out of style. Trendy names are names that come and go quickly and that will date your child. Just as "Linda" screams 1950 and "Jennifer" screams 1970, today's trendy names will scream 2007.
Classic names like Emma and Sarah are like a timeless black pantsuit. Trendy names are like last year's gaucho pants and huge round sunglasses.
If you want to avoid giving your girl a trendy baby name, here are some of the top ones right now.
TRENDY AMERICAN BABY GIRL NAMES
- Riley. Or Rylee, or Ryleigh, or any other variation. The popularity of Riley has skyrocketed; it went from #727 in 1991 to #53 in 2005, and it's climbing. Riley is hot because it reflects several baby name trends. It's androgynous, it ends with the LEE sound, and it's open to multiple spellings. Ryan as a girl's name also has become very trendy.
- Kaylee. Or Kayleigh, or Kailey, or any of dozens of variations. It took off as a variant of the 1980s trendy name Kayla, which is still very popular but declining. Kaylee is a gorgeous name, and it's too bad that it's doomed to get dated. The ultra-popular Kaitlyn is probably doomed as well.
- Hailey. Or Hayley, or Hayleigh, or whatever. This is another pretty name that sounded fresh a few years ago before everyone discovered it.
- Madison. Madison joined the top 10 in 1997, and stands out among ultra-popular but classic names like Emily. It also reflects several baby name trends: the androgynous name trend and the place name trend. Other place names like Dakota and Cheyenne are a little more unusual, as is the classic Madeline.
- Ashley, Ashlyn. Ashley is the new Jennifer. It's been mega-popular since the 1980s, but people are going to get sick of it like they did with Jennifer and it will become dated. Ashlyn is a name that parents choose that they think is less trendy than Ashley, but it's not.
- Makayla, Mackenzie, McKenna. Yeah, the "Mc" thing is cute, but it's getting old fast. Makayla is an interesting phenomenon. It's a modern spelling of a classic name, Michaela, a feminine form of Michael. In its modern form, Makayla is a combination of the "Mc" trend and the trendy name Kayla. If you like this name, go with the classic spelling.
- Brianna. Or Breanna, or Breanne, or any of these similar vaiants. These feminine forms of Brian took off in the 1980s and may be due shortly for their decline. Bree is fresher, but may be doomed to trendy name status thanks to Desperate Housewives.
- Nevaeh. This name is just becoming trendy now, and may have more staying power . Nevaeh is "heaven" spelled backwards.One can't help but wonder if other backwards names are going to become the rage now. How about Elcarim?
- Jasmine. Or Jasmyn, or Jazmine. Disney probably had a lot to do with this name's popularity.
- Taylor. This androgynous name hit the circuit in the 1980s (anyone remember Taylor Dayne?) and may be on its way out, at least for baby girls.
- Brooklyn. Brooklyn is both a place name and a combination of Brooke + Lynn. It rose from the bottom of the charts in the 1990s and is heading for the top 50.
- Jordan. Or Jordyn, which is even more trendy. It's taking over Taylor's spot as the queen of androgynous names. Morgan seems to be heading in this direction too.
- Kendall, Kennedy. As androgynous last names that begin with everyone's favorite baby name letter-- K-- these two cute names are as trendy as they get. Kendra is less trendy.
- Jada. This female version of the ultra-trendy boy's name Jaden has skyrocketed up the charts. For a somewhat more classic name, go with Jade.
Related articles:
Trendy American baby names for boys
Should you find out the sex of your baby?
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
