The Most Popular Baby Girl Names Of This Past Decade
What were the most popular baby girl names of the 2010s? Baby names, like most things, tend to go in and out of style — coming back into fashion years later. Think high-waisted jeans, crop tops, and scrunchies, all of which are now the height of cool once more. There are plenty of reasons why certain names are more popular than others any given year, but, over the past decade, there have been quite a few baby girl names that have reigned supreme.
Baby names have a tendency to come and go pretty quickly, but a few select names have remained popular these past ten years, making them the most popular names of the decade. For baby girls, there are plenty of names that have stayed in style for years, making them practically timeless. While some of the most popular baby girl names of the past decade might not be surprising, some may definitely shock you. So read on to see what girl names parents just couldn't get enough of the last ten years.
Ella
Ella is one of the most popular baby girl names of this past decade, but it hasn't managed to crack the top-ten names, according to data from the Social Security Administration. Still, over the past decade, there were 77,581 baby Ellas born between 2010 and 2018, making it one of the most popular names of the last ten years.
The baby girl name is definitely sweet, although its meaning is pretty interesting. According to The Bump, Ella means "other or foreign," and the name is beloved by many, including plenty of celebrities and A-listers. For example, George and Amal Clooney welcomed daughter Ella, along with son Alexander, in 2017. Historically speaking, the baby girl name has a cool background. "It was introduced to England by the Normans," according to Behind the Name, so, when parents choose to name their daughter Ella, they're giving her a name with a great story.
Chloe
Chloe is definitely a popular baby name for girls. Although it may not be as used as some of the others on this list, the name is still pretty well-loved. In fact, according to the Social Security Administration, there were 78,693 baby girls named Chloe that were born between 2010 and 2018. That said, the name has a pretty lasting prominence. The name has had a bit of a rollercoaster in terms of popularity, however, and has struggled to secure a spot in the top five for years, per the SSA.
Still, Chloe is one of the most popular names of the past decade. Though the name might have never been the most popular, it's always been used, for years, and has a great meaning. According to Behind the Name, Chloe actually "means 'green shoot' in Greek, referring to new plant growth in the spring." Basically, Chloe means a sort of new beginning and growth, making it the perfect name for a sweet baby girl.
Amelia
Some of the most popular baby girl names of this past decade are names that are definitely up-and-comers, and Amelia is no exception. Though the name has a historical background, it's only started to become super popular. According to the Social Security Administration, there were 80,666 little baby Amelias born between 2010 and 2018. Additionally, the name recently cracked the top-10 baby names of the year in 2017, per the SSA.
According to The Bump, Amelia has a sturdy meaning: "Industrious, striving; work." The name is reportedly a "combination of Emilia and Amalia or the invention of novelist Henry Fielding," per the site. For many parents, Amelia is a fun, unique twist on Emily, with a royal history. "Kings George II and III both named their daughters Amelia," according to The Bump. Amelia is certainly a lot more unique-sounding than some of the other baby names that were popular this past decade, and it's definitely becoming more and more trendy.
Elizabeth
When it comes to baby girl names, it doesn't get any more classic than Elizabeth. The name has held a steady rank as a top-15 baby girl name for years, according to the Social Security Administration. And while there were only 85,832 Elizabeths born from 2010 to 2018, per the SSA, that doesn't mean the name is going anywhere.
The name, which means "God's promise" or "God is my oath," according to The Bump, is beloved by so many for so many reasons. While Queen Elizabeth II, a royal whose life has been dramatized in the popular Netflix series The Crown, might be the first woman with the name that comes to mind, there's actually an older Elizabeth who may just be the reason the name is so common. According to Behind the Name, "Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, a daughter of King Andrew II" used "her wealth to help the poor," and is one of the most prominent Elizabeths out there. Who wouldn't want their daughter named after someone so kind-hearted?
Charlotte
Perhaps one of the oldest names on this list, Charlotte definitely stands the test of time. With plenty of famous namesakes, historical relevance, and choices for sweet nicknames (Charlie is just so cute for a baby girl), it's no wonder Charlotte has remained a popular choice for parents of girls. According to the Social Security Administration, there were 89,043 baby Charlottes born between 2010 and 2018. And while Charlotte hasn't always been popular, it's seen a steady increase in usage, coming in sixth in a list of popular baby girl names in 2018, per the SSA.
Additionally, Charlotte has an interesting history as a name. While The Bump stated that the name means "free man," the version of Charlotte as we know it actually didn't come to be popular until the 17th century. "It was introduced to Britain in the 17th century," according to Behind the Name. "It was the name of a German-born 18th-century queen consort of Great Britain and Ireland." Charlotte is definitely making a comeback these days, and honestly, thank goodness.
Madison
According to the Social Security Administration's list, there were 91,914 Madisons born between 2010 and 2018, which is a large number, though over 17,000 less than the next name higher up on the list. However, Madison was actually a top-five baby girl name from 2000 to 2007, per the Social Security Administration.
Interestingly enough, the name Madison wasn't always popular, or even really a girl's name at all. According to Behind the Name, "it was not commonly used as a feminine name until after the movie Splash (1984), in which the main character adopted it as her name after seeing a street sign for Madison Avenue in New York City." Additionally, The Bump reported that Madison means "son of the mighty warrior," which is a pretty powerful meaning. Though Madison wasn't always a popular choice for girls, it definitely became one in recent years, and, though it's on the decline, it's still pretty darn popular.
Emily
It's no secret that Emily is a super common name. In fact, most people have probably encountered more than one Emily in their life. The moniker was the most popular name in 1993 and was so beloved that from 1996 to 2007 it was the number one most popular girl name, according to the Social Security Administration. That's over 10 years of Emily dominating the world of baby names, and it's not going anywhere. From 2010 to 2018, there were 109,149 baby Emilys who were born, per the Social Security Administration.
Emily is clearly very mainstream, but that wasn't always the case. "In the English-speaking world it was not common until after the German House of Hanover came to the British throne in the 18th century," according to Behind the Name. Additionally, "the princess Amelia Sophia (1711-1786) was commonly known as Emily in English," per the site. However, according to The Bump, the name Emily can mean "rival, laborious, or eager." Emily may just be one of the most popular girls' names ever, and it's definitely one of the decade's most notable choices.
Abigail
Though the name Abigail hasn't exactly been the most popular baby girl name throughout the years, it has consistently cracked the top-15 name list since 2000, according to the Social Security Administration. Abigail's popularity is pretty steady, meaning it's a totally classic and timeless name. According to the Social Security Administration, 109,253 Abigails were born between 2010 and 2018.
The meaning of Abigail is definitely rooted in religion in some ways. According to The Bump, the name means "father of exaltation," and is quite biblical. "Abigail was King David's wife in the Bible, and as a girls' name, it has come to represent wisdom," per the site. Additionally, the name has a historical element to it. "The biblical Abigail refers to herself as a servant, and beginning in the 17th century the name became a slang term for a servant," according to Behind the Name. Abigail is definitely an interesting, meaningful name, and its popularity is nothing short of enduring.
Mia
Mia is another name that got people talking this past decade, and, according to the Social Security Administration, there were 116,301 little Mias born between 2010 and 2018. While that's definitely no small number, it actually had quite a bit less than the name higher on the list — by nearing 25,000. That said, Mia was still popular, and with good reason.
According to The Bump, the name Mia means "beloved," and it has seen a rise in popularity over the years. Behind the Name reported that Mia comes from the "Scandinavian, Dutch and German diminutive of Maria." Additionally, "it coincides with the Italian word mia meaning 'mine.'" No matter how you look at it, Mia is a solid name, and one with a multitude of possible meanings. That said, it's no wonder that the name choice is so beloved.
Oh, and who could forget this famous Mia: Mia Thermopolis, princess of Genovia. Time to watch The Princess Diaries and witness actress Anne Hathaway's stunning transformation as Mia!
Ava
Parents definitely seem to prefer shorter names for baby girls, and this next popular baby girl name is no exception. Taking a spin on one of the oldest names out there is Ava, an adaptation of Eve. According to the Social Security Administration, there were 140,979 baby girl Avas that were born between 2010 and 2018. And since 2006, Ava has been a top-five girl name for parents to bestow upon their little one, the Social Security Administration reported.
According to The Bump, the name Ava can mean several things, such as "'life' or 'serpent' or from Latin 'avis' meaning 'bird.'" To go back in time some more, Behind the Name reported that the name Ava was "derived from the Hebrew word" chawah, "meaning 'to breathe.'" It may also be related to the word chayah, which means "to live." Ava is a sweet take on Eve, and, with such a storied background and meaning, it's no wonder that the name has been so popular for parents throughout the years. Whether you want a new spin on a biblical name, or something sweet and simple, Ava is the perfect name.
Isabella
As far as girl names are concerned, there seems to be a consensus that names ending with "a" are the way to go. Just think about the baby girl names you know, and you'll realize that names ending with the letter "a" are all the rage. According to the Social Security Administration, there were 156,709 little baby Isabellas born between 2010 and 2018. And Isabella has also been a top-five baby girl name choice since 2006, as reported by the Social Security Administration.
While the name certainly has the "a" ending that parents seem to love for their daughters, the meaning behind Isabella is also pretty intriguing. According to The Bump, Isabella means "God's promise," and is a feminine, romantic, and royal name. In fact, the name "was borne by many medieval royals, including queen consorts of England, France, Portugal, the Holy Roman Empire and Hungary, as well as the powerful ruling queen Isabella of Castile," Behind the Name reported. Isabella is an impressive name, and one that doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon.
Olivia
As fun and adorable as the name Olivia is, it really is a timeless-sounding name. And due to its sweetness, Olivia is super popular. Between 2010 and 2018, there were 165,581 baby girls born with the name Olivia, according to the Social Security Administration. Olivia is so popular that it's been a top-five name choice since 2008, per the Social Security Administration, as parents just can't get enough of the name.
According to The Bump, the name Olivia means "olive tree," perhaps unsurprisingly. Additionally, the name has an artistic background. "This name was first used in this spelling by William Shakespeare for a character in his comedy Twelfth Night (1602)," Behind the Name reported. While the meaning of the name might not be what draws parents to it, there's no denying the fact that Olivia is a seriously sweet name, and is absolutely perfect for any baby girl, whether or not they grow up to love olives.
Sophia
The name Sophia is definitely pretty, and it's quite charming as well, making it an obvious front-runner as one of the most popular baby girl names of the decade. In fact, according to the Social Security Administration, there were 166,986 baby girls named Sophia born between 2010 and 2018. Additionally, Sophia has been a top-five name since 2009, which is no easy feat, per the Social Security Administration. Sophia is definitely feminine, and it can be shortened to the cute nickname, Soph. Really, Sophia is a perfect name, and it's totally understandable that it's one of the most popular baby girl names of the past decade.
The name isn't just pretty, though, as it also has a pretty intense meaning. According to Behind the Name, Sophia "means 'wisdom' in Greek," but there's more to it than that. "This was the name of an early, probably mythical, saint who died of grief after her three daughters were martyred during the reign of the emperor Hadrian," Behind the Name reported. Sophia is a magical name, and its popularity makes total sense. The name is an awesome choice for any parent wanting an impressive identifier for their baby girl.
Emma
The absolute most popular baby girl name of the past decade probably won't surprise anyone. In fact, there probably aren't all that many people out there who don't know at least one girl named Emma. The name is incredibly popular, and has been for quite some time. It was even one of the most popular baby girls names of 2018. According to the Social Security Administration, there were 177,410 girls named Emma born between 2010 and 2018. To put things into perspective, there were only 163,657 boys with the most popular boy name born in that timeframe. Basically, Emma was the most popular name of the past decade. On top of that, Emma was the No. 1 girl name from 2014 to 2018, according to the Social Security Administration.
There are plenty of reasons as to why Emma is such a popular name. Fans of the hit show Friends will remember that Emma is the name Ross and Rachel, one of the best Friends couples, gave their daughter during the series, and there are also plenty of famous Emmas out there (Emma Stone, Emma Roberts, etc). Additionally, according to The Bump, the name Emma means "entire or universal," making it a grand, powerful name to give any baby girl.