Girl names on the rise in 2024 are sweet, full of whimsy and bursting with character.
Whether you love familiar and classic names, or unusual and rarely used names, this list of trending names will give you lots of ideas for what to call a baby girl!
These are names that are seeing the biggest growth in popularity in the baby names charts.
I’ve taken a look at the latest data from the Social Security Administration’s baby names info.
Some cute trends we are seeing in girl names include names ending in “a”, unusual word names, nicknames, unique spellings of common names and sweet boy names as girl names.
Want to see a list of the most popular names? Check out these popular baby name trends. You may also like these trending names for boys.
Top trending names for girls in the last decade
These baby girl names have seen the biggest rise in popularity in the last 10 years.
- Harper
- Aubrey
- Ariah
- Blake
- Sloane
- Etta
- Luna
- Ada
- Monroe
- Winnie
Modern trending girl names
Let’s take a look at some modern trending names, these are stylish, cool and cute!
- Love – A lovely word baby name that is perfect if you want something that stand out as a unique and bold choice. You may also love these names meaning love.
- Carla – A feminine name of Spanish and Portuguese origin, meaning free woman or strong.
- Sol – This is the Spanish and Portuguese word for sun, often associated with warmth, light, and energy.
- Zhuri – Meaning good or beautiful.
- Scottie – A diminutive of the name Scott, typically associated with Scotland or someone with Scottish heritage. I love this classic boy’s name as a modern girl name!
- Blaire – A name of Scottish origin meaning plain or field. It can also connote a sense of sophistication and elegance.
- Freyja – Derived from Norse mythology, Freyja is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
- Sapphire – A gemstone name, often associated with the colour blue and symbolising wisdom, royalty, and divine favour.
- Elowyn – A name with Cornish roots, meaning elm tree.
- Emerald – A gemstone name, representing lush greenery, growth, and prosperity.
- Scout – Traditionally a nickname, it suggests someone who explores or investigates, often associated with bravery and adventure.
- Yasmin – A name of Persian origin, meaning jasmine flower, often symbolising grace, elegance, and beauty.
- Indie – Short for independent, it suggests individuality, creativity, and nonconformity.
- Stormi – A cool and unusual modern name, inspired by the elements.
- Marlowe – A unisex name of English origin, meaning driftwood or remnants of a lake.
- Ocean – A cool nature baby name.
- Maddie – A diminutive of the name Madeline or Madison, suggesting sweetness and charm.
- Saige – Derived from the herb sage, it symbolises wisdom, healing, and purification.
- Birdie – A diminutive of bird, suggesting freedom, grace, and lightness.
- Meadow – Evoking images of lush green fields and natural beauty, it symbolises tranquility and growth.
- Hallie – A cool girl name meaning home ruler.
- Belle – The French word for beautiful, often associated with grace, elegance, and charm. Love French baby names? See these top French baby names.
- Liliana – A name of Latin origin, derived from the flower name Lily, symbolising purity, innocence, and beauty.
- Sunny – Symbolising brightness, warmth, and positivity, it suggests a cheerful and optimistic disposition.
- Adley – Meaning honest.
Names ending in lee and lynn
There’s been several names ending in “lyn” and “lee” or “leigh” that have grown in popularity in recent years.
It’s also a trend to to add those endings to short names – for example the name Everleigh.
Here are a few examples of this trend that have grown significantly in popularity among parents.
- Wrenlee/Wrenley – Likely a combination of Wren, a small bird known for its melodious song, and Lee or ley, meaning meadow or clearing. Together, it could symbolize a harmonious and natural environment.
- Adalee – A blend of Ada, meaning noble or adorned, and Lee, suggesting a meadow or clearing. It conveys qualities of nobility and natural beauty.
- Brynleigh – A modern invention combining Bryn, meaning hill, and leigh, referring to a meadow or clearing. It evokes images of a scenic and peaceful landscape.
- Oakleigh – Combining Oak, a strong and enduring tree, with leigh, suggesting a meadow or clearing. It symbolises strength, resilience, and natural beauty.
- Oaklynn – Similar to Oakleigh, combining the strength of the oak tree with the tranquility of a meadow. The addition of lynn might evoke images of a serene woodland or natural setting.
- Emberlynn – Combining Ember, glowing fragments of fire, with lynn, suggesting a lake or waterfall. It could symbolise warmth, energy, and the beauty of natural elements.
- Gwendolyn – A name of Welsh origin, composed of Gwen, meaning white or fair, and dolyn, meaning ring or bow. It signifies purity, beauty, and grace.
- Lakelyn – A modern creation, possibly combining elements of lake and lyn, suggesting a connection to nature, particularly bodies of water like lakes or ponds.
Names ending in ya
Another name trend you will see a lot in the baby name charts right now is names ending in “ya”.
These names often sound quite modern, for example Zendaya, but they also have a cool, soft and timeless feel to them.
- Zendaya – Meaning to give thanks.
- Aadhya – A name of Indian origin, derived from Sanskrit, meaning first or the beginning. It is often used to signify the start of something significant or auspicious.
- Zoya – A name of Russian and Slavic origin, meaning life or alive. It can also be interpreted as brightness or radiance, symbolising vitality and energy.
- Amayah – A modern invention, possibly derived from the name Amaya or a combination of sounds chosen for their aesthetic appeal. It doesn’t have a widely recognized meaning but could be interpreted as a variation of Amaya, which means night rain in Japanese or mother city in Basque.
- Raya – This name has multiple origins and meanings. In Hebrew, it means friend or companion, while in Arabic, it means thoughtful or considerate. It is also used as a diminutive of names like Rayna or Raylene, meaning queen or wise protector.
- Inaya – A name of Arabic origin, meaning concern or solicitude. It is often associated with care, protection, and guardianship.
- Naya – Meaning renewal.
Vintage girl names
Vintage names will always be in style, as the classics come back into fashion even after a brief falling out of favour.
Several old fashioned names are experiencing a resurgence at the moment.
- Winona – Of Native American origin, meaning firstborn daughter or firstborn of the tribe.
- Lottie – A diminutive of Charlotte, meaning free man or petite.
- Cleo – Short for Cleopatra, derived from Greek, meaning glory of the father or pride of the father.
- Mabel – Of Old French origin, meaning lovable or dear.
- Maisie – A diminutive of Margaret, meaning pearl.
- Phoebe – Of Greek origin, meaning bright or radiant.
- Theodora – Derived from Greek, meaning gift of God.
- Georgina – Feminine form of George, meaning farmer or earthworker.
- Estella – Of Latin origin, meaning star.
- Sylvie – Derived from the Latin word for forest or woods.
- Winnie – Diminutive of Winifred, meaning blessed peacemaking.
- Elodie – Of French origin, meaning foreign riches or wealthy.
- Florence – Of Latin origin, meaning blossoming or flourishing.
- Hattie – Diminutive of Harriet, meaning estate ruler or home ruler.
- Persephone – In Greek mythology, Persephone was the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. The name possibly means bringer of destruction or destroyer of light.
Unusual girl names on the rise
Here are some very unique and rarely used names that you may not recognise but that are trending among parents who want an uncommon name.
- Neriah – A Hebrew name meaning lamp of God or light of the Lord.
- Arlet – A variant of the name Arlette, possibly derived from Old French, meaning pledge or oath.
- Amiri – A name of Arabic origin, meaning prince or commander.
- Arleth – Possibly derived from Old English or Old French, meaning hare clearing or eagle wood.
- Alora – A modern invented name with uncertain meaning, though it might be a combination of sounds chosen for aesthetic appeal.
- Arlette – Of French origin, possibly derived from Germanic elements meaning pledge or oath.
- Kenia – Likely derived from Mount Kenya in East Africa. The name could mean mountain of whiteness or mountain of brightness.
- Vienna – Named after the capital city of Austria. The name itself doesn’t have a widely recognised meaning beyond its association with the city.
- Samira – Of Arabic origin, meaning companion in evening talk or entertaining companion.
- Zaria – Possibly of Arabic origin, meaning princess or flower.
- Aspyn – A modern invented name with uncertain meaning, though it could be inspired by the tree name aspen.
- Lenora – A variant of Eleanor, meaning light or torch.
- Lyla – A variant spelling of Isla, a Scottish name meaning island.
- Rowyn – A modern invented name, possibly inspired by the botanical name Rowan, meaning little red one.
- Clover – From the name of the plant, symbolising luck and good fortune.
- Briana – A feminine form of Brian, meaning strong, virtuous, or noble.
- Luz – Of Spanish origin, meaning light.
- Zayla – A modern invented name with uncertain meaning, possibly chosen for its aesthetic appeal.
- Baylor – Possibly derived from Old English, meaning goatherd’s enclosure or bale of hay.
- Nori – Of Japanese origin, meaning belief or doctrine.
- Alessia – A name of Italian origin, possibly derived from Alexander, meaning defender of the people.
- Noemi – A variant of Naomi, meaning pleasantness or sweetness.
- Collins – Of Irish origin, meaning young warrior or descendant of Collin.
- Mavis – A bird-inspired name, derived from the songbird known as the mavis, also called the thrush.
- Emely – A variant of Emily, derived from the Roman name Aemilia, possibly meaning rival or eager.
- Esmeralda – Of Spanish origin, meaning emerald.
- Kiara – Of Irish and Italian origin, meaning dark or black.
- Mylah – A modern invented name with uncertain meaning.
- Samara – Of Hebrew origin, meaning watch mountain or guardian.
- Sevyn – A modern invented name with uncertain meaning, possibly chosen for its uniqueness.
- Noah – Of Hebrew origin, meaning rest or comfort.
- Casey – Of Irish origin, meaning vigilant or watchful.
- Holland – Named after the region in the Netherlands, meaning hollow land or wooded land.
- Salem – Of Hebrew origin, meaning peace.
- Saylor – A modern invented name, possibly inspired by the occupation of a sailor.
- Dulce – Of Spanish origin, meaning sweet or pleasant.
- Novah – A variation of Nova, meaning new or star.
- Ivory – From the hard white substance, symbolising purity and rarity.
- Emerie – A variant of Emery, meaning brave or powerful.
- Milena – Of Slavic origin, meaning gracious or dear.
- Astrid – Of Scandinavian origin, meaning divine strength or beautiful goddess.
- Hunter – Denoting someone who hunts, often associated with strength and agility.
- Elora – Of uncertain origin and meaning, though it might be a modern invented name.
- Sutton – Of English origin, meaning southern settlement.
- Amora – A variant of Amara, meaning eternal or immortal.
- Opal – Named after the gemstone, symbolising hope, innocence, and purity.
- Amari – Of Hebrew and African origin, meaning eternal or immortal.
- Emersyn – A variant spelling of Emerson, meaning son of Emery.
- Genesis – Of Greek origin, meaning birth or origin.
- Lorelai – Of German origin, possibly meaning alluring or enchanted. It is also associated with a beautiful siren or mermaid in folklore.
Final thoughts
I hope you’ve found some gorgeous baby name inspiration in this ultimate list! If you are still stuck then check out these tips for how to choose a baby name and these baby name themes.
