You've made it through pregnancy, you've made it through birth, and now it's time to name the new baby. If you're welcoming a sweet baby girl into the world, then you know the list of possibilities is long. After all, girl names have evolved tremendously over the past couple of decades. And while certain traditions still hold true, more modern variations are becoming increasingly commonplace.
Naming your baby after a relative? Maybe. But naming her after your favorite kind of flower? Well, now we're talking. Below, we've put together a list of the top baby names for your little girl. We've even divided up our list of girls' names into categories to make navigating things even easier. Below, you'll find options based on tradition, gender neutrality, nature, and more.
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What Are the Most Popular Baby Girl Names Right Now?
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Each year, the Social Security Administration rounds up the top 1,000 baby girl names. While the series has certainly evolved over the years, some trends are sticking around. Thanks to a shift in popularity, Olivia outranked all other top baby girl names on the list three years in a row, from 2019 to 2021.
Other classic names like Emma, Charlotte, and Amelia trailed close behind, though there were a few more modern hits on the list, such as Mia and Harper.
This indicates a notable change compared to data collected from previous generations, where names like Carol, Karen, and Mary served as about as much variety as you could expect.
That's not to say parents have completely abandoned more traditional names—they haven't. Much like trends in fashion, certain names seem to weave in and out of style every couple of decades. The administration's most recent list also included familiar picks like Sophia, Isabella, and Evelyn.
Unique Girl Names
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Powerful Girl Names (With Meaning)
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Gender Neutral Names
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Classic Names for Girls
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Short Girl Names
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Nature-Inspired Names
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Why Do Names Matter?
What's in the name? The answer may surprise you, depending on who you ask. These additions to the family tree not only serve as an opportunity for parents to express their interests in values, but they might even have the power to influence their owners' behavior.
Research into the subject began years ago, though unfortunately, baby girls were largely excluded from observation. In 1948, two Harvard professors kicked things off with a study of thirty-three hundred male graduates, looking to determine how their names may have impacted their academic performance
Their findings suggested that participants with more unusual names were more likely to have flunked out. At the very least, they seemed to associate strange names with strange behaviors, including psychological neurosis, as compared to those who went by more traditional titles like John, Robert, or William.
As time went on, researchers took up an interest in the impact names had on girls, too. And the findings were just as significant. Data suggests that names can influence anything from professional choices and marital partners to more niche behaviors like investment options and the ability to work well in a group setting.
Apparently, both boys and girls—men and women��are subject to something called the implicit-egotism effect. The theory states that people unconsciously gravitate toward things they associate with themselves, including their names. For instance, someone named Josephine might feel more loyalty toward politicians like Joe Biden than they would candidates with names more dissimilar to their own.
Of course, there's an even weightier significance to address. Names carry opportunities to introduce our family, culture, and heritage. For example, in the Sikh tradition, a new baby girl calls for Naam Karan, a naming ceremony that usually involves a large social gathering. The occasion is considered one of the 16 most significant experiences in life, right up there with life and death.
We can also look to conventions in Ireland and Greece, where parents often name their new baby after their parents or grandparents. Meanwhile, babies in Bali are often named after their birth order, with Ni Luh as the most popular pick for the firstborn daughter. In China, it's most common for babies to be given short names, usually just three letters long.
Traditions vary widely by culture, but what they all have in common is this: Names carry meaning, whether the inspiration draws from history or more modern influences. Anyone asking that you shorten things to make it easier on them should really think twice about the request.
Four Tips for Naming Your Sweet Baby Girl
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We know, the list of girl names is long, and coming to a final decision is much easier said than done. That's why we outlined a few tips below to help you with the decision.
Name Her After Someone Special
Naming your kid after a family member isn't that uncommon. In fact, the tradition is pretty well established. It's called "patronym" and it's been going on for millennia. While little girls weren't originally included in this custom, things have loosened up over the years.
Think about who in your family you'd like to honor and see what your partner thinks of the name. Remember, you don't have to stick to "girly" names only. There are tons of little girls walking around today with names like Charlie, Andy, and Spencer, so don't let gendered norms hold you back.
Choose Something That Resonates With You
It's simple advice, but it's important to remind new parents: It's not just about how others will receive this name. Your baby is a piece of you, and the same goes for their name. Besides, that name will be dripping from your lips for the rest of your life. You may as well like the way it sounds.
Don't Let Gender Dictate the Name
Long gone are the days when girl names had to be girly. If Elon Musk has the confidence to name his kid a nonlinguistic collection of characters, you can definitely give your baby girl a little something androgynous. Also on the SSA's list of top baby names were gender-neutral hits like Riley, Willow, and Brooklyn.
See What History Has to Offer
History is packed with inspiring women. Comb through and see if you find any worth naming your kid after. Besides, some of those old-timey names are coming back in style. If you're lucky, you'll find someone influential, and something on-trend.
Wrapping Up
That's it for our list of baby girl names. Be sure to check back with us soon for more ideas to share with the ones you love. You can also sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out!
