In English, patronymic names generally end in -son. For example, Jackson translates to “son of Jack.”
Every year, we see a new list of baby names get put in time-out.
It’s not that the names are bad or that they come with weird meanings or origins, but for some reason, parents shy away from them year-to-year and their popularity suddenly decreases at an alarming rate.
That list was released by the Social Security Administration (SSA) on May 11 — and it’s quite revealing.
RELATED: The Fastest-Rising Baby Names of 2024
For example, baby boy names like Joziah, Cannon, Legacy and Brodie dropped more than 120 spots on the SSA’s list of the 1,000 most popular boy names of 2024, when compared to 2023.
Raquel, Mikayla, Shay, Blessing, Mylah, Avani and Royalty saw an even larger drop among girl names.
It’s unclear why these names saw such a large decrease in popularity last year, but parents today are faced with a tough decision in 2025 and beyond: Do we revive them or continue to watch them fall?
Baby Boy Names That Decreased in Popularity the Most
Boy names that start with K had quite a confusing year in 2024.
While some K boy names, like Kolter, Kace and Kyaire, saw a tremendous increase in popularity, others like Khari, Karsyn and Khai saw a major drop.
In fact, of the 15 baby boy names that decreased the most in popularity from 2023 to 2024, seven of them started with a K — and five of them made up the top-five.
J names also had a rough year with three listed in the top-10.
Whether you’re looking to revive them or avoid them, let’s break down the 25 boy names that saw the biggest drop in popularity from year-to-year.
25. Ishaan
Origin: Hindu
Meaning: Guardian god of the northeast
2023 popularity: Ishaan was the 869th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 271 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Ishaan was the 998th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 225 live births, per the SSA.
Ishaan, pronounced ih-SHAWN or ee-SHAWN, is believed to be a variant of Ishana, which is the name of the Hindu guardian god of the northeast and is often associated with the supreme deity Lord Shiva.
24. Axl
Origin: Danish; Hebrew
Meaning: My father is peace; Father’s peace
2023 popularity: Axl was the 895th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 259 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Axl was the 1,027th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 216 live births, per the SSA.
Axl, pronounced AX-uhl, is a variant of Axel, which is the Danish form of the Hebrew name Avshalom and derives from the Hebrew elements av, meaning “father,” and shalom, meaning “peace.” In the Bible, Avshalom is the son of King David.
23. Palmer
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: Pilgrim; Palm tree
2023 popularity: Palmer was the 944th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 240 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Palmer was the 1,076th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 202 live births, per the SSA.
Palmer, pronounced PAHL-mer or PAIL-mer, originated as an English surname derived from the Latin word palmarius, meaning “pilgrim,” which ultimately comes from the Latin word palma, meaning “palm tree.”
22. Kingsley
Origin: Old English
Meaning: King’s meadow; King’s clearing
2023 popularity: Kingsley was the 850th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 285 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kingsley was the 984th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 228 live births, per the SSA.
Kingsley, pronounced KINGZ-lee, originated as an English surname and is believed to be composed of the Old English elements cyning, meaning “king,” and leah, meaning “meadow” or “clearing.”
21. Santana
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Saint Anna; Saint Anne
2023 popularity: Santana was the 676th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 403 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Santana was the 811th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 309 live births, per the SSA.
Santana, pronounced san-TAN-uh, is a contraction of Santa Ana, which refers to Saint Anna. According to Catholic tradition, St. Anna (also referred to as St. Anne) was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus.
20. Rishi
Origin: Sanskrit; Vedic
Meaning: Sage; Poet; Enlightened
2023 popularity: Rishi was the 970th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 228 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Rishi was the 1,107th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 193 live births, per the SSA.
Rishi, pronounced rih-SHEE or RISH-ee, derives from the Sanskrit element rsi, meaning “sage” or “poet.” It is also a Vedic term referring to an accomplished, enlightened person or someone who composed a hymn.
19. Loyal
Origin: English; French; Latin
Meaning: True; Faithful; Allegiant
2023 popularity: Loyal was the 739th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 356 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Loyal was the 877th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 274 live births, per the SSA.
Loyal, pronounced LOY-uhl, comes directly from the English word loyal, meaning “true or faithful in allegiance.” Loyal derives from the Old French word loial and Latin word legalem, meaning “law.”
18. Marlon
Origin: English; Spanish; Latin
Meaning: Of the sea
2023 popularity: Marlon was the 942nd most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 240 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Marlon was the 1,084th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 200 live births, per the SSA.
Marion, pronounced MAHR-lin or MAHR-lun, has a debated meaning, but some theories suggest that it comes from the Latin word maris, meaning “of the sea,” or Spanish word mar, meaning “sea.”
17. Mikael
Origin: Hebrew; Scandinavian; Breton; Finnish
Meaning: Who is like God?
2023 popularity: Mikael was the 989th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 223 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Mikael was the 1,132nd most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 187 live births, per the SSA.
Mikael, pronounced mee-KUH-el or mee-KAY-el, is the Scandinavian, Finnish and Breton form of Michael, which comes from the Hebrew name Miḵaʾel and is composed of the Hebrew elements mi and ke, meaning “like,” and el, meaning “God.”
16. Demetrius
Origin: Greek; Latin
Meaning: Earth mother; Goddess of agriculture
2023 popularity: Demetrius was the 890th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 261 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Demetrius was the 1,038th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 213 live births, per the SSA.
Demetrius, pronounced duh-MEE-tree-us or deh-MEE-tree-us, is the Latinized form of the Greek name Demetrios, which derives from the name of the Greek goddess of agriculture, Demeter, meaning “earth mother.”
15. Axton
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Acca’s stone, Acca’s town
2023 popularity: Axton was the 686th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 393 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Axton was the 836th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 294 live births, per the SSA.
Axton, pronounced AX-tin or AX-tun, originated as a habitational name for someone who lived in the village of Axton in Kent, England. The name is believed to derive from the name Acca combined with the Old English word stan, meaning “stone,” or tun, meaning “settlement.”
14. Aden
Origin: Old Irish
Meaning: Little fire; Young flame
2023 popularity: Aden was the 840th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 290 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Aden was the 997th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 225 live births, per the SSA.
Aden, pronounced AY-din or AY-den, is a variant spelling of Aidan, which comes from the Old Irish name Áedán and Old Irish root word áed, meaning “fire,” combined with a diminutive suffix meaning “young” or “little.”
13. Semaj
Origin: English; Hebrew
Meaning: Supplanter; Holder of the heel
2023 popularity: Semaj was the 906th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 257 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Semaj was the 1,069th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 204 live births, per the SSA.
Semaj, pronounced seh-MAHJ or sih-MAHJ, is simply the name James spelled backwards. James comes from the same family tree as Jacob and is believed to mean “supplanter” or “holder of the heel,” per the Old Testament.
12. Khaza
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Treasure; Hidden treasure; Gift of God
2023 popularity: Khaza was the 801st most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 308 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Khaza was the 965th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 233 live births, per the SSA.
Khaza, pronounced KAH-zuh or KA-zuh, is believed to derive from the Arabic word kinz, meaning “treasure” or “hidden treasure.” In other contexts, it could be translated to mean “gift of God.”
11. Kannon
Origin: English; Italian
Meaning: Church official; Large artillery
2023 popularity: Kannon was the 817th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 300 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kannon was the 983rd most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 228 live births, per the SSA.
Kannon, pronounced KAN-in or KAN-un, is a variant of Cannon, which comes from the Middle English word canon, meaning “church official,” or the Italian word cannone, referring to a large, heavy piece of artillery.
10. Duncan
Origin: Old Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: Dark warrior; Brown fighter
2023 popularity: Duncan was the 930th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 244 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Duncan was the 1,102nd most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 194 live births, per the SSA.
Duncan, pronounced DUN-kun, comes from the Gaelic name Donnchadh, which is composed of the Old Irish elements donn, meaning “brown,” and cath, meaning “battle.” It was the name of two Scottish kings.
9. Justice
Origin: Latin; French
Meaning: Righteousness; Fair; Equity
2023 popularity: Justice was the 899th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 258 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Justice was the 1,079th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 201 live births, per the SSA.
Justice, pronounced JUSS-tiss, is derived from the Latin word iustitia, meaning "righteousness" or "equity,” making it a popular virtue name — though it can also be an occupational name given to a judge.
8. Jiraiya
Origin: Japanese; Folklore
Meaning: Young thunder; To be oneself; Young arrival
2023 popularity: Jiraiya was the 735th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 357 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Jiraiya was the 918th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 252 live births, per the SSA.
Jiraiya, pronounced jee-RY-ah or jer-EYE-uh, originates from Japanese folklore where Jiraiya was a ninja who could transform into a giant toad. It’s derived from the Japanese elements ji, meaning “oneself, child, boy,” rai, meaning “arrival, lightning, thunder,” and ya, meaning “to be,” depending on the kanji used.
7. Jovanni
Origin: Italian; Hebrew
Meaning: God is gracious; God’s grace
2023 popularity: Jovanni was the 896th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 259 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Jovanni was the 1,113th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 192 live births, per the SSA.
Jovanni, pronounced joe-VAHN-ee, is a variant of Giovanni, which comes from the Hebrew name Yoḥanan (John) and is composed of the Hebrew elements yo, meaning “God,” and hanan, meaning “to be gracious.”
6. Nova
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: New; Bright star
2023 popularity: Nova was the 953rd most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 237 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Nova was the 1,177th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 176 live births, per the SSA.
Nova, pronounced NOH-vuh, derives from the Latin word novus, meaning “new.” In astronomy, a nova is a sudden, dramatic brightening of a star, typically becoming thousands of times brighter in a short period.
5. Khai
Origin: Hawaiian; Japanese
Meaning: Sea; Triumph; Victory
2023 popularity: Khai was the 722nd most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 367 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Khai was the 947th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 240 live births, per the SSA.
Khai, pronounced KAI, is a variant of Kai, which comes directly from the Hawaiian word kai, meaning “sea.” It can also derive from the Japanese element kai, meaning “triumph,” “victory” or “music of triumph.”
4. Kole
Origin: Old English; Greek
Meaning: Coal; Dark-haired; Victory of the people
2023 popularity: Kole was the 971st most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 226 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kole was the 1,200th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 170 live births, per the SSA.
Kole, pronounced KOHL, is a variant of Cole, which derives from the Old English word col, meaning "coal," and can also be a shortened form of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people” in Greek.
3. Kye
Origin: Hawaiian; Japanese
Meaning: Sea; Triumph; Victory
2023 popularity: Kye was the 941st most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 240 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kye was the 1,195th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 171 live births, per the SSA.
Kye, pronounced KAI, is a variant of Kai, which either means “sea,” from the Hawaiian word kai, or “triumph” or “victory,” from the Japanese element kai. Other variants include Khai, Ky, Cai and Keye.
2. Karsyn
Origin: English; Scottish; Old Norse
Meaning: Son of Carr; Son of the marsh dwellers
2023 popularity: Karsyn was the 980th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 224 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Karsyn was the 1,287th most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 152 live births, per the SSA.
Karsyn, pronounced KAR-sin or KAR-sun, derives from a Scottish surname meaning "son of Carr" or "son of the marsh-dwellers." The element carr is believed to come from the Old Norse word kjarr, meaning "marsh" or "bog."
1. Khari
Origin: Arabic; Sanskrit; Swahili
Meaning: Charitable; Genuine; Kingly
2023 popularity: Khari was the 828th most popular boy’s name in 2023 with 296 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Khari was the 1,222nd most popular boy’s name in 2024 with 164 live births, per the SSA.
Khari, pronounced KAHR-ee, has multiple debated meanings. For example, it could translate to “charitable" or "benevolent” in Arabic, "pure" or "genuine” in Sanskrit, or “like a king” in Swahili.
Baby Girl Names That Decreased in Popularity the Most
Unique regal names are starting to lose their grip in the United States.
For example, the names Kinslee (which means “king’s meadow”), Royal and Princess all landed in the top-15 for girl names that decreased the most in popularity from 2023 to 2024.
Royalty also saw a major drop — going from 562nd in 2023 to 713th in 2024.
But Emryn took the cake as the one baby name that decreased more than any other baby name last year, ranking just 1,492nd in 2024 after finishing 2023 at 886th.
That’s a drop of 606, which is 212 more than the boy name (Khari) that decreased the most last year.
As we did with the boy names, let’s take a look at the other girl names that landed in time-out in 2024.
25. Braelyn
Origin: English; Modern
Meaning: Lake by a hill
2023 popularity: Braelyn was the 911th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 291 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Braelyn was the 1,076th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 230 live births, per the SSA.
Braelyn, pronounced BRAY-lin, is a modern invented name combining the phonetic element bray, which could be derived from the Cornish word bre, meaning “hill,” and the suffix lynn, meaning “lake” in Welsh.
24. Artemis
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Goddess of moon, Goddess of the hunt; Safe; Butcher
2023 popularity: Artemis was the 853rd most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 312 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Artemis was the 1,022nd most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 246 live births, per the SSA.
Artemis, pronounced AHR-tuh-miss or AHR-tee-miss, comes from the name of the Greek goddess of the moon and hunting, the twin of Apollo. It’s believed to derive from the Greek word artemes, meaning “safe,” or artamos, referring to a butcher.
23. Liv
Origin: Latin; Old Norse; Scandinavian
Meaning: Olive tree; Protection; Life
2023 popularity: Liv was the 702nd most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 405 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Liv was the 874th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 308 live births, per the SSA.
Liv, pronounced LIHV, is traditionally a diminutive of Olivia, meaning “olive tree” in Latin, but other theories link it to the Old Norse name Hlíf, meaning "protection," or the Scandinavian word liv, meaning "life.”
22. Azari
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God’s help; God helps; God has helped
2023 popularity: Azari was the 697th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 413 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Azari was the 875th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 307 live births, per the SSA.
Azari, pronounced uh-ZAHR-ee, is a variant of Azariah, which derives from the Hebrew name Azarya and is composed of the Hebrew elements azar, meaning “help,” and yah, referring to the Hebrew God.
21. Avayah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God’s breath; Life of God; Breath of God
2023 popularity: Avayah was the 941st most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 281 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Avayah was the 1,120th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 215 live births, per the SSA.
Avayah, pronounced uh-VAY-uh or uh-VAI-uh, is believed to be a combination of the name Ava, a variant of Eve meaning “to breathe” or “to live” in Hebrew, and the element yah, referring to the Hebrew God.
20. Novah
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: New; Bright star
2023 popularity: Novah was the 706th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 401 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Novah was the 891st most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 300 live births, per the SSA.
Novah, pronounced NOH-vuh, is a variant of Nova, which derives from the Latin word novus, meaning “new.” In astronomy, a nova is a sudden, dramatic brightening of a star, typically becoming thousands of times brighter in a short period.
19. Jayleen
Origin: Modern; Invented
Meaning: Unknown
2023 popularity: Jayleen was the 789th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 356 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Jayleen was the 977th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 265 live births, per the SSA.
Jayleen, pronounced JAY-leen, is a variant of Jaylene, which is likely an invented name inspired by the phonetic elements jay, as in the “blue jay,” and lene, a shortened form of names like Helene and Selene.
18. Zayla
Origin: Modern; Invented
Meaning: Unknown
2023 popularity: Zayla was the 801st most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 350 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Zayla was the 993rd most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 260 live births, per the SSA.
Zayla, pronounced ZAY-luh, is likely an invented name inspired by Kayla and was popularized through its sound, rather than its meaning or origin. In some cases, it can be a diminutive of Azalea, referring to the flower, or the Greek word azaleos, meaning “dry.”
17. Kai
Origin: Hawaiian; Japanese
Meaning: Sea; Triumph; Victory
2023 popularity: Kai was the 940th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 282 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kai was the 1,133rd most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 213 live births, per the SSA.
Kai, pronounced KAI, comes directly from the Hawaiian word kai, meaning “sea,” though it can also derive from the Japanese element kai, meaning “triumph,” “victory” or “music of triumph,” depending on the kanji used.
16. Alexa
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Defender of mankind; Helper
2023 popularity: Alexa was the 604th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 492 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Alexa was the 806th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 348 live births, per the SSA.
Alexa, pronounced uh-LEX-uh, is a shortened form of Alexandra, which is the feminine form of Alexander and is composed of the Greek elements alexo, meaning “to defend” or “help,” and aner, meaning “man.”
15. Savanna
Origin: English; Taino (Native American)
Meaning: Large grassy plain
2023 popularity: Savanna was the 795th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 355 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Savanna was the 1,007th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 254 live births, per the SSA.
Savanna, pronounced suh-VAN-uh, is a variant of Savannah, which derives from the English word savannah, referring to a large grassy plain. The name ultimately derives from the Taino word zabana.
14. Princess
Origin: English
Meaning: Woman of royal birth; Ruler’s daughter
2023 popularity: Princess was the 921st most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 288 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Princess was the 1,145th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 211 live births, per the SSA.
Princess, pronounced prin-SESS, is the feminine equivalent of Prince and comes from the English word princess, referring to a woman of royal or noble birth or a daughter or wife of a ruler or prince.
13. Royal
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: King; Queen; Member of ruler’s family
2023 popularity: Royal was the 995th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 256 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Royal was the 1,225th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 192 live births, per the SSA.
Royal, pronounced ROY-uhl, comes directly from the English word royal, meaning “having the status of a king or queen or a member of their family.” It ultimately derives from the Latin word regalis, meaning “king.”
12. Kinslee
Origin: English
Meaning: King’s meadow; King’s clearing
2023 popularity: Kinslee was the 786th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 358 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kinslee was the 1,018th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 249 live births, per the SSA.
Kinslee, pronounced KIN-slee, is a variant of Kinsley, which originated as an English surname composed of the Old English elements cyne, meaning “royal” or “king,” and leah, meaning “meadow” or “clearing.”
11. Yaretzi
Origin: Persian; Tupi
Meaning: Friend; Helper; Lady of the water
2023 popularity: Yaretzi was the 552nd most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 547 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Yaretzi was the 795th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 354 live births, per the SSA.
Yaretzi, pronounced yuh-RET-zee, is believed to be an elaborated form of Yara, which either comes from the Persian word yār, meaning “friend” or “helper,” or the Tupi phrase y îara, meaning “lady of the water.”
10. Dania
Origin: Italian; Hebrew
Meaning: God is my judge; God has judged
2023 popularity: Dania was the 854th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 312 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Dania was the 1,099th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 222 live births, per the SSA.
Dania, pronounced duh-NEE-uh or DAY-nee-uh, is believed to be an Italian diminutive of Daniela, which comes from the Hebrew name Daniyyel and is composed of the Hebrew elements din, meaning “to judge,” and el, meaning “God.”
9. Nyra
Origin: Maori; Arabic
Meaning: Wetland; Shining light
2023 popularity: Nyra was the 979th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 263 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Nyra was the 1,228th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 191 live births, per the SSA.
Nyra, pronounced NYE-ruh, is believed to be a variant of Nyrah, which is the Anglicized form of the Maori name Ngaire, meaning “wetland.” It can also be a variant of Nora, which means “shining light” in Arabic.
8. Dior
Origin: French
Meaning: Golden
2023 popularity: Dior was the 730th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 385 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Dior was the 984th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 262 live births, per the SSA.
Dior, pronounced dee-OHR, is believed to derive from the French word doré, meaning “golden.” It was popularized by the French luxury fashion house Dior, which was founded by designer Christian Dior.
7. Aleyna
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: To us; Gentle; Soft; Little rock
2023 popularity: Aleyna was the 964th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 268 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Aleyna was the 1,226th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 191 live births, per the SSA.
Aleyna, pronounced uh-LAY-nuh, is believed to derive from the Arabic word ʿalaynā, meaning “to us,” but can also come from the Arabic word layyin, meaning “gentle” or “soft.” Other theories link it to the name Alan, meaning “little rock.”
6. Kya
Origin: Hawaiian; Japanese; Greek
Meaning: Sea; Triumph; Pure; Each of the two
2023 popularity: Kya was the 820th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 338 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kya was the 1,083rd most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 228 live births, per the SSA.
Kya, pronounced KAI-uh, is either a variant of Kai, meaning “sea” in Hawaiian or “triumph” in Japanese, or a variant of Kaia, which is a diminutive of Katherine, meaning “pure” or “each of the two” in Greek.
5. Kamari
Origin: Swahili
Meaning: Moon; Moonlight
2023 popularity: Kamari was the 813th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 343 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Kamari was the 1,078th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 230 live births, per the SSA.
Kamari, pronounced kuh-MAHR-ee, is believed to derive from the Swahili word kamari, meaning “moon” or “moonlight.” It was likely popularized in the United States for its sound, rather than its meaning or origin.
4. Alitzel
Origin: Varies
Meaning: Lady Rainbow; Lofty
2023 popularity: Alitzel was the 875th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 307 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Alitzel was the 1,149th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 209 live births, per the SSA.
The meaning of Alitzel, pronounced uh-LITZ-uhl, is heavily debated. Some theories suggest that it’s a variant of Ixchel, meaning “rainbow lady” in Mayan tradition, combined with the name Ali, meaning “lofty” in Arabic.
3. Layne
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Narrow road; Passageway
2023 popularity: Layne was the 973rd most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 265 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Layne was the 1,274th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 182 live births, per the SSA.
Layne, pronounced LAYN, is a variant of Lane, which comes directly from the English word lane and Old English word lanu, referring to a “narrow hedged-in road.” It originated as a surname for someone who lived on or near a lane.
2. Zhuri
Origin: Swahili; Indonesian
Meaning: Beautiful; Midday; Noon
2023 popularity: Zhuri was the 869th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 309 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Zhuri was the 1,178th most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 203 live births, per the SSA.
Zuhri, pronounced ZIR-ee or ZOO-ree, is a variant of Zuri, which comes directly from the Swahili word zuri, meaning “beautiful.” It can also derive from the Indonesian word zuhur, meaning “midday” or “noon.”
1. Emryn
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Immortal ruler
2023 popularity: Emryn was the 886th most popular girl’s name in 2023 with 303 live births, per the SSA.
2024 popularity: Emryn was the 1,492 most popular girl’s name in 2024 with 145 live births, per the SSA.
Emryn, pronounced EHM-rin, is believed to be a combination of the Welsh name Emrys, meaning “immortal,” and the common suffix ryn, meaning “ruler.” Therefore, it could mean “immortal ruler.”
Need Help Creating the Perfect Baby Names List?
The Social Security Administration is one of the best baby-naming resources for expecting parents.
The agency releases annual baby name data for the United States, which includes everything from the most popular names to the ones that increased or decreased the most in popularity year-to-year.
It’s a great way to start the baby-naming process, but it’s also easy to get overwhelmed by the options.
But don’t worry — Mod Moms Club is here to help.
ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: Can You Guess the 50 Most Popular Baby Boy Names of 2024?
Not only do we upload new baby name content every week, but our exclusive baby name generator can help parents narrow down their options based on their personal preferences and desires.
