American culture is dynamic and ever-evolving, traceable by changes and trends in popular culture from fashion to music. But another way of observing changes in society is by analyzing the names parents give to their children. Of course, people pick names for different reasons—but the most important factors include religion, popular culture, and more simply, the names other people are giving their children.
Even though there have been so many women in history who have achieved amazing things, it seems that little girls' names are mostly popularized by the stars of the entertainment industry: a child actress who was a beacon of hope during the Great Depression; the name that a famous singer named his own daughter; the title of a popular song; and the name that fictional characters gave their baby in a sitcom.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls of the last decade in New Jersey using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies from 2010 to 2019.
See if you can guess the reasons behind the popularity—some are obvious, but others may surprise you.
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Pixabay
1 / 50Brielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "heroine of God".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,204
- Number of babies in 2019: 111 (#62 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +14.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #40 in 2011
National
- Rank: #126
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25,933
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
2 / 50Mackenzie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "son of the bright one".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,334
- Number of babies in 2019: 130 (#48 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +9.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #38 in 2013
National
- Rank: #80
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35,176
Canva
3 / 50Evelyn is a name of English origin meaning "desired".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,351
- Number of babies in 2019: 173 (#29 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +94.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #29 in 2019
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86,845
Mcimage // Shutterstock
4 / 50Aubrey is a Norman French variation of the German name "Alberic", meaning "elf ruler".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,389
- Number of babies in 2019: 112 (#60 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +23.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #28 in 2013
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65,791
Canva
5 / 50Harper is a name of English origin meaning "harp player".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,395
- Number of babies in 2019: 212 (#16 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +821.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #16 in 2019
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,047
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Nitin Kumar // Pexels
6 / 50Alexandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,404
- Number of babies in 2019: 92 (#78 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -51.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #26 in 2013
National
- Rank: #95
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 30,812
Canva
7 / 50Arianna is a name of Italian origin meaning "most holy".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,404
- Number of babies in 2019: 67 (#109 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -63.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #25 in 2014
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41,661
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
8 / 50Ariana is a name of Italian origin meaning "most holy".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,423
- Number of babies in 2019: 118 (#55 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +3.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #21 in 2014
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41,185
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
9 / 50Kayla is a name of Irish origin meaning "slim and fair".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,443
- Number of babies in 2019: 82 (#88 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -65.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #19 in 2010
National
- Rank: #97
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 30,086
Canva
10 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,476
- Number of babies in 2019: 144 (#40 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -10.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #34 in 2013
National
- Rank: #152
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20,471
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New Africa // Shutterstock
11 / 50Alexa is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,481
- Number of babies in 2019: 54 (#135 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -71.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2015
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41,868
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
12 / 50Savannah is a name of Native American origin meaning "open plain".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,482
- Number of babies in 2019: 138 (#44 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +46.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2016
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51,704
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
13 / 50Natalie is a name of French origin meaning "birthday of the Lord".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,513
- Number of babies in 2019: 118 (#55 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -40.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #25 in 2011
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68,009
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
14 / 50Scarlett is a name of English origin meaning "scarlet" or "red".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,520
- Number of babies in 2019: 192 (#23 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +214.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #17 in 2017
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 58,161
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
15 / 50Esther is a name of Persian origin meaning "star".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,547
- Number of babies in 2019: 156 (#37 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +27.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #24 in 2014
National
- Rank: #202
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15,602
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javi_indy // Shutterstock
16 / 50Brianna is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,550
- Number of babies in 2019: 100 (#66 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -54.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #21 in 2010
National
- Rank: #74
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36,716
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
17 / 50Hailey is a name of English origin meaning "hay's meadow".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,558
- Number of babies in 2019: 151 (#39 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -20.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #28 in 2012
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47,649
Canva
18 / 50Maya has several possible origins and meanings. It may be a derivation of Maia, an ancient goddess of Greek mythology. Some believe it is of Hebrew origin meaning "water". Maya also means "illusion' in Sanskrit.
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,568
- Number of babies in 2019: 138 (#44 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -25.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #24 in 2015
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39,621
Durganand // Shutterstock
19 / 50Camila is a name of Latin origin meaning "young ceremonial attendant".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,577
- Number of babies in 2019: 200 (#18 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +88.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #18 in 2017
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57,693
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
20 / 50Hannah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,634
- Number of babies in 2019: 195 (#21 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +20.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #21 in 2019
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64,317
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
21 / 50Valentina is a feminine form of the Roman name Valentinus, which is derived from the Latin word "valens" meaning "healthy" or "strong".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,636
- Number of babies in 2019: 203 (#17 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +91.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #17 in 2019
National
- Rank: #117
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 26,946
Pixabay
22 / 50Layla is a name of Arabic origin meaning "wine".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,637
- Number of babies in 2019: 187 (#24 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +40.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2018
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63,037
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
23 / 50Zoe is a name of Greek origin meaning "life".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,674
- Number of babies in 2019: 171 (#30 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +39.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #23 in 2015
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57,969
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
24 / 50Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,702
- Number of babies in 2019: 100 (#66 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -64.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #13 in 2010
National
- Rank: #73
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37,075
Canva
25 / 50Julia is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,707
- Number of babies in 2019: 117 (#58 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -49.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #19 in 2011
National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35,821
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Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
26 / 50Riley is a name of Irish origin meaning "courageous".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,751
- Number of babies in 2019: 164 (#32 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -6.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #15 in 2016
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56,039
Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
27 / 50Lily is a name of English origin, named after the flower.
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,832
- Number of babies in 2019: 163 (#34 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -21.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #23 in 2012
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68,153
Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock
28 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,845
- Number of babies in 2019: 161 (#35 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -21.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #19 in 2015
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93,787
Unsplash
29 / 50Avery is a name of English origin meaning "ruler of the elves".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,940
- Number of babies in 2019: 199 (#20 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +30.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #15 in 2015
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82,792
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
30 / 50Chloe is a name of Greek origin meaning "blooming".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,058
- Number of babies in 2019: 177 (#28 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -33.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2010
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,107
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phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
31 / 50Grace is a name of Latin origin meaning "gracious".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,110
- Number of babies in 2019: 159 (#36 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -26.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #13 in 2014
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72,867
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
32 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,114
- Number of babies in 2019: 167 (#31 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -30.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #16 in 2014
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46,466
Canva
33 / 50Ella is a name of German origin meaning "fairy maiden".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,182
- Number of babies in 2019: 222 (#14 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +3.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2019
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,760
s_oleg // Shutterstock
34 / 50Gabriella is a name of Italian origin meaning "God is my strength".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,193
- Number of babies in 2019: 139 (#42 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -51.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #11 in 2011
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47,971
Canva
35 / 50Samantha is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "told by God".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,209
- Number of babies in 2019: 134 (#46 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -58.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #10 in 2011
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56,808
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Canva
36 / 50Gianna is a name of Italian origin meaning "Lord is gracious".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,299
- Number of babies in 2019: 186 (#25 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -41.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #10 in 2012
National
- Rank: #82
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 34,445
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
37 / 50Amelia is a variation of Amalia, derived from the Germanic word amal meaning "work".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,389
- Number of babies in 2019: 346 (#8 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +140.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2019
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93,620
Canva
38 / 50Victoria is a name of Latin origin meaning "victory".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,413
- Number of babies in 2019: 200 (#18 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -16.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #11 in 2013
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70,815
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
39 / 50Leah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "weary".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,413
- Number of babies in 2019: 216 (#15 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -13.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #10 in 2018
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55,865
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
40 / 50Sofia is a derivation of the Greek name Sophia meaning "wisdom".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,860
- Number of babies in 2019: 248 (#12 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +1.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2014
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82,222
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DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
41 / 50Charlotte is a name of French origin meaning "free man".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,909
- Number of babies in 2019: 363 (#7 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +111.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #7 in 2019
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102,262
CroMary // Shutterstock
42 / 50Madison is a name of English origin meaning "son of Matthew".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,198
- Number of babies in 2019: 255 (#10 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -29.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2012
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98,258
Canva
43 / 50Abigail is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Joy Of The Father".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,223
- Number of babies in 2019: 251 (#11 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -33.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2015
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 118,475
Pixabay
44 / 50Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,831
- Number of babies in 2019: 260 (#9 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -42.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #5 in 2011
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 117,450
Lopolo // Shutterstock
45 / 50Mia is a name of Latin origin meaning "mine".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,504
- Number of babies in 2019: 415 (#4 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +7.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2016
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128,824
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Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
46 / 50Ava is a name of Latin origin meaning "bird".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,548
- Number of babies in 2019: 378 (#6 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -21.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #4 in 2011
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155,546
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
47 / 50Emma is a name of German origin meaning "universal".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,134
- Number of babies in 2019: 517 (#1 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +17.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2019
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 194,667
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
48 / 50Olivia is a name of Latin origin meaning "olive tree".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,252
- Number of babies in 2019: 511 (#2 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -1.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #2 in 2019
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 184,192
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
49 / 50Sophia is a name of Greek origin meaning "wisdom".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,368
- Number of babies in 2019: 459 (#3 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -27.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2014
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 180,832
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
50 / 50Isabella is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "devoted to God".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,527
- Number of babies in 2019: 401 (#5 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -46.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2013
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170,185
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