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 Missouri 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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Nina Buday // Shutterstock
1 / 50Violet is a name of English origin based on the purple flower of the same name. Violet is ultimately derived from Latin "Viola".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 920
- Number of babies in 2019: 114 (#29 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +75.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #29 in 2019
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41,473
Canva
2 / 50Allison is a variation of the French name Alice, meaning “noble.”
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 929
- Number of babies in 2019: 51 (#116 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -64.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #27 in 2010
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 48,893
Canva
3 / 50Hadley is a name of English origin meaning "heather meadow".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 939
- Number of babies in 2019: 85 (#56 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +88.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #34 in 2013
National
- Rank: #129
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25,366
Pixabay
4 / 50Piper is a name of English origin meaning "pipe or flute player".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 942
- Number of babies in 2019: 96 (#47 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +71.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #32 in 2014
National
- Rank: #88
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 32,970
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
5 / 50Caroline is a name of French origin meaning "free man".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 978
- Number of babies in 2019: 107 (#34 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +37.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #28 in 2018
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39,510
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Canva
6 / 50Autumn is a name of Latin origin meaning "fall season".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 996
- Number of babies in 2019: 76 (#64 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -27.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #39 in 2013
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37,561
Pixabay
7 / 50Alexis is a name of Greek origin meaning "helper".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,002
- Number of babies in 2019: 36 (#171 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -80.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #15 in 2010
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 40,255
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
8 / 50Nevaeh is a name of American origin, Nevaeh is "heaven" spelled backwards.
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,013
- Number of babies in 2019: 70 (#74 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -47.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #29 in 2011
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 44,770
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
9 / 50Kennedy is a name of Irish origin meaning "chieftain".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,026
- Number of babies in 2019: 104 (#37 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +31.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #33 in 2014
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 38,475
Pixabay
10 / 50Stella is a name of Latin origin meaning "star".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,027
- Number of babies in 2019: 113 (#30 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +41.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #25 in 2016
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 44,134
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Oleggg // Shutterstock
11 / 50Peyton is a name of English origin meaning "fighting-man's estate".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,027
- Number of babies in 2019: 68 (#77 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -51.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2011
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39,546
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
12 / 50Savannah is a name of Native American origin meaning "open plain".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,032
- Number of babies in 2019: 62 (#89 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -39.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #34 in 2011
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51,704
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
13 / 50Lydia is a name of Greek origin meaning "woman from Lydia".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,057
- Number of babies in 2019: 93 (#51 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -5.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #31 in 2014
National
- Rank: #90
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 32,585
javi_indy // Shutterstock
14 / 50Scarlett is a name of English origin meaning "scarlet" or "red".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,098
- Number of babies in 2019: 131 (#21 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +197.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #19 in 2018
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 58,161
Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
15 / 50Lucy is a name of Latin origin meaning "light".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,106
- Number of babies in 2019: 103 (#39 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -7.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #29 in 2014
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41,941
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Canva
16 / 50Ellie is a name of Greek origin meaning "shining light".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,129
- Number of babies in 2019: 104 (#37 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +33.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #25 in 2017
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43,126
Pixabay
17 / 50Paisley is a name of Scottish origin meaning "church".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,140
- Number of babies in 2019: 141 (#18 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +314.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #18 in 2019
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37,385
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
18 / 50Claire is a name of French origin meaning "clear".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,145
- Number of babies in 2019: 84 (#57 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -38.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #29 in 2012
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47,669
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
19 / 50Audrey is a name of English origin meaning "noble strength".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,172
- Number of babies in 2019: 100 (#43 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -27.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #29 in 2013
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51,522
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
20 / 50Natalie is a name of French origin meaning "birthday of the Lord".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,180
- Number of babies in 2019: 74 (#66 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -55.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #18 in 2010
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68,009
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
21 / 50Riley is a name of Irish origin meaning "courageous".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,193
- Number of babies in 2019: 105 (#36 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -18.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #23 in 2016
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56,039
Canva
22 / 50Anna is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,229
- Number of babies in 2019: 94 (#49 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -38.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2010
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51,140
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
23 / 50Eleanor is a name of Greek origin meaning "bright".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,239
- Number of babies in 2019: 199 (#9 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +192.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #9 in 2019
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 40,013
photoDiod // Shutterstock
24 / 50Hannah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,268
- Number of babies in 2019: 88 (#54 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -42.5%
- Highest rank since 2010: #22 in 2013
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64,317
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50Layla is a name of Arabic origin meaning "wine".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,294
- Number of babies in 2019: 127 (#24 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -14.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #24 in 2019
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63,037
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riggleton // Shutterstock
26 / 50Lily is a name of English origin, named after the flower.
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,390
- Number of babies in 2019: 101 (#42 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -32.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #19 in 2011
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68,153
Pixabay
27 / 50Nora is a derivation of the name Norah, a name of Latin origin meaning "honor".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,418
- Number of babies in 2019: 147 (#15 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +145.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #12 in 2015
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 44,001
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
28 / 50Aubrey is a Norman French variation of the German name "Alberic", meaning "elf ruler".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,488
- Number of babies in 2019: 97 (#46 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -28.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #16 in 2011
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65,791
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
29 / 50Grace is a name of Latin origin meaning "gracious".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,538
- Number of babies in 2019: 116 (#27 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -39.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2010
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72,867
Nitin Kumar // Pexels
30 / 50Mia is a name of Latin origin meaning "mine".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,585
- Number of babies in 2019: 138 (#19 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +10.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #12 in 2016
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128,824
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George Rudy // Shutterstock
31 / 50Brooklyn is a name derived from Dutch word Breukelen, meaning "broken land".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,629
- Number of babies in 2019: 96 (#47 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -46.4%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2011
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60,169
Canva
32 / 50Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,639
- Number of babies in 2019: 94 (#49 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -60.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #10 in 2010
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 117,450
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
33 / 50Zoey is a name of Greek origin meaning "life".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,647
- Number of babies in 2019: 122 (#25 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -18.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #14 in 2013
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64,766
Canva
34 / 50Evelyn is a name of English origin meaning "desired".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,853
- Number of babies in 2019: 270 (#6 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +229.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #6 in 2019
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86,845
Canva
35 / 50Chloe is a name of Greek origin meaning "blooming".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,854
- Number of babies in 2019: 112 (#32 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -61.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2011
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,107
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Matva // Shutterstock
36 / 50Madison is a name of English origin meaning "son of Matthew".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,884
- Number of babies in 2019: 102 (#41 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -66.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #8 in 2010
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98,258
Canva
37 / 50Ella is a name of German origin meaning "fairy maiden".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,914
- Number of babies in 2019: 164 (#13 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -29.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #11 in 2012
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,760
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
38 / 50Addison is an Old English name, meaning "son of Adam".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,946
- Number of babies in 2019: 103 (#39 (tie) most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -66.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #6 in 2011
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70,901
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
39 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,991
- Number of babies in 2019: 169 (#12 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -26.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #10 in 2018
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93,787
Pixabay
40 / 50Lillian is a name of Latin origin meaning "lily".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,059
- Number of babies in 2019: 162 (#14 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -31.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #7 in 2014
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64,824
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FreelySky // Shutterstock
41 / 50Avery is a name of English origin meaning "ruler of the elves".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,070
- Number of babies in 2019: 142 (#17 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -23.7%
- Highest rank since 2010: #6 in 2014
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82,792
Blend Images // Shutterstock
42 / 50Abigail is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Joy Of The Father".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,258
- Number of babies in 2019: 171 (#11 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -46.9%
- Highest rank since 2010: #6 in 2012
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 118,475
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
43 / 50Amelia is a variation of Amalia, derived from the Germanic word amal meaning "work".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,337
- Number of babies in 2019: 298 (#4 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +85.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #4 in 2019
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93,620
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
44 / 50Charlotte is a name of French origin meaning "free man".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,425
- Number of babies in 2019: 311 (#2 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +141.1%
- Highest rank since 2010: #2 in 2019
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102,262
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
45 / 50Harper is a name of English origin meaning "harp player".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,458
- Number of babies in 2019: 261 (#7 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: +196.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #4 in 2018
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85,047
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Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
46 / 50Isabella is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "devoted to God".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,563
- Number of babies in 2019: 180 (#10 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -57.8%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2010
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170,185
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
47 / 50Sophia is a name of Greek origin meaning "wisdom".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,071
- Number of babies in 2019: 234 (#8 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -38.3%
- Highest rank since 2010: #2 in 2012
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 180,832
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
48 / 50Ava is a name of Latin origin meaning "bird".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,272
- Number of babies in 2019: 307 (#3 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -7.0%
- Highest rank since 2010: #2 in 2017
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155,546
Lopolo // Shutterstock
49 / 50Olivia is a name of Latin origin meaning "olive tree".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,719
- Number of babies in 2019: 327 (#1 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -16.2%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2019
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 184,192
Canva
50 / 50Emma is a name of German origin meaning "universal".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,880
- Number of babies in 2019: 289 (#5 most common)
- Change from 2010 to 2019: -27.6%
- Highest rank since 2010: #1 in 2015
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 194,667
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