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 California 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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1 / 50Delilah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "delicate".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,244
- Number of babies in 2019: 585 (#50 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +20.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #37 in 2015
National
- Rank: #130
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 24,770
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
2 / 50Alyssa is a name of Greek origin meaning "rational".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,345
- Number of babies in 2019: 323 (#102 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -69.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #17 in 2010
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37,736
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
3 / 50Natalia is a name of Latin origin meaning "Christmas day".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,372
- Number of babies in 2019: 691 (#34 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -4.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #34 in 2019
National
- Rank: #112
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27,135
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
4 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,383
- Number of babies in 2019: 425 (#75 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -51.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #21 in 2011
National
- Rank: #116
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 26,950
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
5 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,528
- Number of babies in 2019: 289 (#119 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -71.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #19 in 2011
National
- Rank: #115
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27,048
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6 / 50Hannah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,673
- Number of babies in 2019: 629 (#46 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -4.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #33 in 2013
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64,317
Pixabay
7 / 50Aubrey is a Norman French variation of the German name "Alberic", meaning "elf ruler".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,715
- Number of babies in 2019: 474 (#62 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -2.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #29 in 2012
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65,791
Pixabay
8 / 50Layla is a name of Arabic origin meaning "wine".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,718
- Number of babies in 2019: 717 (#30 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +24.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #30 in 2019
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63,037
Lopolo // Shutterstock
9 / 50Aaliyah is an Arabic name meaning "high" and "exalted".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,808
- Number of babies in 2019: 698 (#33 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +23.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #33 in 2019
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46,547
Canva
10 / 50Hailey is a name of English origin meaning "hay's meadow".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,939
- Number of babies in 2019: 539 (#55 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -40.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2012
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47,649
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11 / 50Ariana is a name of Italian origin meaning "most holy".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,073
- Number of babies in 2019: 663 (#39 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +21.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #25 in 2014
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41,185
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
12 / 50Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,137
- Number of babies in 2019: 325 (#98 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -75.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #13 in 2010
National
- Rank: #73
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37,075
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
13 / 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.
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,184
- Number of babies in 2019: 675 (#38 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -3.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #32 in 2018
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39,621
Pixabay
14 / 50Luna is a name of Italian origin meaning "moon".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,325
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,494 (#7 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +519.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #7 in 2019
National
- Rank: #84
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33,958
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
15 / 50Lily is a name of English origin, named after the flower.
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,408
- Number of babies in 2019: 663 (#39 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -18.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #31 in 2011
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68,153
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16 / 50Bella is a name of Italian origin meaning "beautiful".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,419
- Number of babies in 2019: 717 (#30 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -20.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #27 in 2010
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42,984
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
17 / 50Aria is a name of Hebrew, and Italian origin meaning "song" or "melody".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,423
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,036 (#18 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +678.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #17 in 2018
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52,115
FreelySky // Shutterstock
18 / 50Leah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "weary".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,434
- Number of babies in 2019: 644 (#42 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -16.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #30 in 2017
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55,865
Canva
19 / 50Zoey is a name of Greek origin meaning "life".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,508
- Number of babies in 2019: 754 (#26 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +35.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #26 in 2019
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64,766
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
20 / 50Mila is a name of Slavic origin meaning "dear" or "gracious".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,699
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,213 (#14 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +545.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2018
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43,930
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21 / 50Allison is a variation of the French name Alice, meaning “noble.”
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,728
- Number of babies in 2019: 517 (#56 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -39.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #24 in 2015
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 48,893
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
22 / 50Penelope is a name of Greek origin meaning "weaver".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,827
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,103 (#17 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +334.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #16 in 2017
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47,478
Pexels
23 / 50Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,913
- Number of babies in 2019: 503 (#59 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -42.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #23 in 2014
National
- Rank: #89
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 32,851
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
24 / 50Avery is a name of English origin meaning "ruler of the elves".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,939
- Number of babies in 2019: 827 (#23 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +55.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2016
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82,792
Canva
25 / 50Audrey is a name of English origin meaning "noble strength".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,333
- Number of babies in 2019: 676 (#37 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -16.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #18 in 2013
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51,522
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26 / 50Grace is a name of Latin origin meaning "gracious".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,396
- Number of babies in 2019: 688 (#35 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -19.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #21 in 2014
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72,867
Canva
27 / 50Ella is a name of German origin meaning "fairy maiden".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,506
- Number of babies in 2019: 894 (#20 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -0.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #20 in 2019
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,760
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
28 / 50Amelia is a variation of Amalia, derived from the Germanic word amal meaning "work".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,660
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,271 (#13 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +168.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #13 in 2019
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93,620
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
29 / 50Alexa is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,830
- Number of babies in 2019: 425 (#75 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -57.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #11 in 2015
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41,868
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
30 / 50Genesis is a name of Greek origin meaning "beginning".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,841
- Number of babies in 2019: 735 (#28 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -7.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #17 in 2013
National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 40,310
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Canva
31 / 50Scarlett is a name of English origin meaning "scarlet" or "red".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,871
- Number of babies in 2019: 954 (#19 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +82.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2016
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 58,161
Oleggg // Shutterstock
32 / 50Zoe is a name of Greek origin meaning "life".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,054
- Number of babies in 2019: 820 (#24 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -9.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #20 in 2015
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57,969
Durganand // Shutterstock
33 / 50Madison is a name of English origin meaning "son of Matthew".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,252
- Number of babies in 2019: 633 (#45 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -39.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #17 in 2015
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98,258
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
34 / 50Natalie is a name of French origin meaning "birthday of the Lord".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,323
- Number of babies in 2019: 604 (#49 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -59.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #9 in 2010
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68,009
New Africa // Shutterstock
35 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,360
- Number of babies in 2019: 871 (#21 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -23.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2013
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93,787
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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
36 / 50Chloe is a name of Greek origin meaning "blooming".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,522
- Number of babies in 2019: 870 (#22 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -36.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #12 in 2010
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,107
Canva
37 / 50Evelyn is a name of English origin meaning "desired".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,919
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,163 (#16 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +18.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #13 in 2017
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86,845
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
38 / 50Charlotte is a name of French origin meaning "free man".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11,227
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,213 (#14 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +79.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #12 in 2017
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102,262
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
39 / 50Samantha is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "told by God".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11,739
- Number of babies in 2019: 650 (#41 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -61.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #6 in 2010
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56,808
Canva
40 / 50Victoria is a name of Latin origin meaning "victory".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14,157
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,318 (#11 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +22.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2014
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70,815
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Canva
41 / 50Ava is a name of Latin origin meaning "bird".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14,495
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,405 (#9 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -0.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #9 in 2019
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155,546
Pixabay
42 / 50Abigail is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Joy Of The Father".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15,437
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,286 (#12 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -20.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2015
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 118,475
PxHere
43 / 50Camila is a name of Latin origin meaning "young ceremonial attendant".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16,054
- Number of babies in 2019: 2,056 (#5 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +68.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #5 in 2019
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57,693
Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
44 / 50Sofia is a derivation of the Greek name Sophia meaning "wisdom".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17,278
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,401 (#10 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: 0.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #7 in 2018
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82,222
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
45 / 50Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20,672
- Number of babies in 2019: 1,459 (#8 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -39.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #3 in 2011
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 117,450
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Bodler // Shutterstock
46 / 50Olivia is a name of Latin origin meaning "olive tree".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22,555
- Number of babies in 2019: 2,592 (#1 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +58.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2019
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 184,192
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
47 / 50Emma is a name of German origin meaning "universal".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 24,725
- Number of babies in 2019: 2,385 (#2 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +33.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2018
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 194,667
Canva
48 / 50Mia is a name of Latin origin meaning "mine".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25,011
- Number of babies in 2019: 2,351 (#3 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +16.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2016
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128,824
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
49 / 50Isabella is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "devoted to God".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 26,391
- Number of babies in 2019: 2,005 (#6 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -40.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2010
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170,185
riggleton // Shutterstock
50 / 50Sophia is a name of Greek origin meaning "wisdom".
California
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29,619
- Number of babies in 2019: 2,088 (#4 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -37.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2015
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 180,832
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