Baby names with the fastest-growing popularity

·Erin Joslyn

AnikaNes // Shutterstock
AnikaNes // Shutterstock

Naming a new baby is not a task to be taken lightly. Whether trendy or traditional, a name is more than just a reflection of parental tastes. It's a signifier that follows a child into adulthood, and can significantly impact social and emotional development. A unique name or inventive spelling might seem like a good idea at the time, but be forewarned: it may not age well. Then again, it could become an instant classic.

Using information from the Social Security Administration, Stacker examined the fastest-growing baby names from 2016 to 2017. The top 50 male and female name are included in the slideshow, ranked according to increase in usage. For a name to be included on the list, it must have made the top 1,000 for at least one of the two years.  

Scroll through the list and find out if your name—or your little bundle of joy's—made the cut.

ALSO: 50 cute baby names with holiday meanings

#50. Axton (boys)

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#50. Axton (boys)

Rank in 2017: #626 (up 92 spots from 2016)

Axton, derived from the old English words for "sword" and "stone," evokes images of the legendary King Arthur. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is the proud grandfather of little Axton Halen, born to daughter, Mia and Dan Halen in 2017.

#50. Calliope (girls)

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#50. Calliope (girls)

Rank in 2017: #813 (up 124 spots from 2016)

Calliope was one of the nine muses in Greek mythology. The name means "beautiful voice," reflective of Calliope's patronage of epic poetry. In 2017, actress Felicia Day named her little bundle of joy Calliope Maeve.

#49. Mike (boys)

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#49. Mike (boys)

Rank in 2017: #949 (up 93 spots from 2016)

Traditionally a nickname for Michael, Mike, like Jake and Max, has come into its own as a given first name. One of the archangels mentioned in the Bible, Michael is the patron saint of warriors.  

#49. Belle (girls)

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#49. Belle (girls)

Rank in 2017: #808 (up 125 spots from 2016)

Belle, from the French word for "beauty," was a favorite name in the U.S. from the 1880s through 1934, and is currently enjoying a revival. The Disney's classic "Beauty and the Beast," which recently underwent a live-action makeover, features a princess named Belle.

#46. Alaric (boys)

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#46. Alaric (boys)

Rank in 2017: #994 (up 96 spots from 2016)

Alaric was the commander of the Visigoths, the Barbarian tribe that sacked Rome in 410 A.D., bringing the empire to an abrupt end. The name is Germanic in origin, and means "all-powerful ruler." A character in the popular show "The Vampire Diaries," carries the name Alaric (Matthew Davis). 

#45. Oakley (boys)

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#45. Oakley (boys)

Rank in 2017: #479 (up 98 spots from 2016)

Oakley isn't just a chic line of outdoor apparel, it's also an increasingly popular name in the U.S. It is of English origin, and the meaning is fairly straightforward, referring to a clearing marked by oak trees.

#45. Tinsley (girls)

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#45. Tinsley (girls)

Rank in 2017: #837 (up 127 spots from 2016)

Particularly preppy, Tinsley evokes images of Lilly Pulitzer prints and summers on Nantucket. It was originally an English surname referring to a place called "Tynni's meadow." Tinsley Mortimer of ”Real Housewives“ fame, has helped popularized the name.

#44. Rey (boys)

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#44. Rey (boys)

Rank in 2017: #769 (up 99 spots from 2016)

Like Reign, Rey—Spanish for "king"—is another trending name with regal associations. It may also be a shortened form of Reymon, Reymond, or Reign. The popularity of the name could be linked to 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," in which Daisy Ridley stars as Rey. 

#44. Kailani (girls)

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#44. Kailani (girls)

Rank in 2017: #621 (up 131 spots from 2016)

Kailani, which means "sea and sky," is just one of a handful of Hawaiian baby flourishing on the charts. Kailani Craine is an Australian figure skater.

#43. Stevie (girls)

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#43. Stevie (girls)

Rank in 2017: #699 (up 135 spots from 2016)

Stevie is a common nickname for Stephanie, which means "garland" or "crown" in Greek. Fleetwood Mac vocalist and pop culture icon Stevie Nicks popularized the name, helping spur the transition from nickname to given name.

#42. Zyaire (boys)

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#42. Zyaire (boys)

Rank in 2017: #779 (up 100 spots from 2016)

Zyaire is an inventive spelling of Zaire, the former name for what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  

#42. Khaleesi (girls)

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#42. Khaleesi (girls)

Rank in 2017: #630 (up 135 spots from 2016)

"Game of Thrones" fanatics can take credit for the upward trajectory of Khaleesi. Khaleesi means "queen" in the fictional Dothraki language, and is frequently used to reference fan favorite Daenerys Targaryen.

#41. Kalani (girls)

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#41. Kalani (girls)

Rank in 2017: #542 (up 138 spots from 2016)

Another Hawaiian name climbing up the charts, Kalani means "the heavens." Kalani Brooke Hilliker is a dancer and actress who rose to fame on "Dance Moms."

#39. Wesson (boys)

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#39. Wesson (boys)

Rank in 2017: #887 (up 105 spots from 2016)

Wesson brings to mind images of the Wild West, and is part of a larger group of names suggestive of firearms, including Gunnar, Colt, Beretta, and Trigger, all currently gaining traction. Wesson is a variant of the English surname Weston, which means "western settlement."  

 

#38. Tadeo (boys)

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#38. Tadeo (boys)

Rank in 2017: #833 (up 111 spots from 2016)

Tadeo is the Spanish form of Thaddeus, an Aramaic name meaning "gift of God." Thaddeus was one of the 12 apostles in the New Testament.

#38. Samara (girls)

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#38. Samara (girls)

Samara translates to "under God's rule" in Hebrew, and as "seed of the elm tree" in Latin. Samara Cook was a character on the popular television show "Pretty Little Liars."

#37. Raylee (girls)

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#37. Raylee (girls)

Rank in 2017: #881 (up 159 spots from 2016)

Raylee is a distinctly modern invention, a hybrid of Ray and Lee.  

#36. Kyng (boys)

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#36. Kyng (boys)

Rank in 2017: #959 (up 112 spots from 2016)

Kyng, notable for its inventive spelling and regal connotations, incorporates two of the most on-point baby name trends for 2017.



 

#36. Opal (girls)

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#36. Opal (girls)

Rank in 2017: #859 (up 159 spots from 2016)

Like Ruby and Pearl, Opal, Sanskrit for "jewel," is a popular 19th-century name currently enjoying a revival. Opal is the birthstone for October, making it a particularly appropriate choice for baby girls born in that month.  
 

#35. Emerald (girls)

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#35. Emerald (girls)

Rank in 2017: #979 (up 161 spots from 2016)

Another gem of a name, Emerald is is Persian for the color green. Emerald may also be riding the "Em train," given the ubiquitous of Emily and Emma. Esmerelda, the Spanish form, was the name of Samantha Stevens' zany aunt on the '60s television hit "Bewitched."

#34. Shepard (boys)

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#34. Shepard (boys)

Rank in 2017: #926 (up 118 spots from 2016)

A common English occupational surname, Shepard can be spelled a variety of ways, including Shepherd, Sheperd, and Sheppard. Jerry Seinfeld and wife Jessica's 12-year-old son is named Shepherd.

#34. Roselyn (girls)

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#34. Roselyn (girls)

Rank in 2017: #826 (up 123 spots from 2016)

Roselyn was a perennial favorite in the U.S. until plummeting off the charts in 1954. The name reemerged 15 years ago, and has been climbing ever since. Roselyn may be a hybrid of "Rose" and "Lynn," or a variant of Rosalind.

#32. Ari (girls)

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#32. Ari (girls)

Rank in 2017: #801 (up 167 spots from 2016)

Ari is a shortened form of Arielle, or Ariel, which was originally a boy's name, meaning "lion of God" in Hebrew. Ari Jennings is the sister of Jazz Jennings in TLC's hit reality series, "I Am Jazz."  

#30. Zaid (boys)

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#30. Zaid (boys)

Rank in 2017: #770 (up 127 spots from 2016)

Zaid is an alternative spelling of Zayd, which itself is a variation of the Arabic name Sayyid, which means "master." Zayd ibn Harithah was a favorite companion of the Prophet Muhammad.   

#29. Briar (boys)

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#29. Briar (boys)

Rank in 2017: #880 (up 128 spots from 2016)

A unisex name trending with parents of both boys and girls, Briar is an English surname meaning "someone who lives at the edge of a briar patch." Actors Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson named their daughter Briar Rose.


 

#29. Xiomara (girls)

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#29. Xiomara (girls)

Rank in 2017: #848 (up 176 spots from 2016)

The origins of the name Xiomara are somewhat murky, but its upward trajectory is indisputable. A Spanish name meaning "battle-ready," it may also be a variation of the Aramaic name Xiamara, which means "joyful dear." Xiomara Frans was a contestant on "America's Next Top Model" in season two, and the mother of Jane (Gina Rodriguez) on the popular TV show "Jane the Virgin," is also named Xiomara (Andrea Navedo).

#28. Nalani (girls)

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#28. Nalani (girls)

Rank in 2017: #810 (up 176 spots from 2016)

Yet another Hawaiian name inspired by the island's natural beauty, Nalani means "calm skies." Nalani Bolton is one-half of the twin singer-songwriter duo Nalani and Sarina.  

#27. Yadiel (boys)

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#27. Yadiel (boys)

Rank in 2017: #975 (up 131 spots from 2016)

Yadiel joins other Spanish translations of Biblical names, such as Matias and Tadeo, currently climbing the charts. Yehudial is one of the archangels, and means "God has heard" in Hebrew.  

#24. Ridge (boys)

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#24. Ridge (boys)

Rank in 2017: #735 (up 149 spots from 2016)

Ridge pulls no punches—it means exactly what it sounds like: "from the ridge of cliff's edge." In 1987, long-running soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful" introduced viewers to the ruggedly handsome Ridge Forrester.

#24. Lyra (girls)

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#24. Lyra (girls)

Rank in 2017: #727 (up 198 spots from 2016)

This melodic name is from the Greek word for lyre, a small U-shaped harp. In 2011, actress Sophie Dahl and singer Jamie Cullum named their daughter Lyra Cullum. Lyra Erso is also a character in the 2016 film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," as well as the main character in the popular fantasy series "His Dark Materials."

#23. Bonnie (girls)

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#23. Bonnie (girls)

Rank in 2017: #697 (up 198 spots from 2016)

The name Bonnie has never fully fallen out of fashion, but it did take a deep dive at the end of the 20th century. In 2017, Bonnie regained its position in the top 1,000, and has been climbing ever since.  A Scottish name meaning "pretty, cheerful," Bonnie is derived from the French word "bonne," meaning "good."

#20. Gianluca (boys)

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#20. Gianluca (boys)

Rank in 2017: #986 (up 168 spots from 2016)

Gianluca is an Italian hybrid of Gian (John) and Luca (Luke). Gianluca Vacchi is an Italian millionaire and Instagram sensation.

#19. Kynlee (girls)

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#19. Kynlee (girls)

Rank in 2017: #554 (up 221 spots from 2016)

Kynlee is an invented name as American as apple pie. It capitalizes on both the "K" trend, as well as the feminized suffix "lee" or "ley."

#18. Everlee (girls)

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#18. Everlee (girls)

Rank in 2017: #762 (up 250 spots from 2016)

Everlee is an alternative spelling of Everleigh—#27 on the Social Security Administration 2016–2017 Change in Popularity Index. Both are feminized versions of the English surname Everly, which means "wild deer in a woodland clearing." In 2013, actors Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan named their new arrival Everly.

#17. Cairo (boys)

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#17. Cairo (boys)

Rank in 2017: #646 (up 196 spots from 2016)

In addition to being the capital of Egypt, Cairo is also an Arabic name meaning "victorious." Cairo is the middle name of King Cairo Stevenson, the young son of reality star Blac Chyna and rapper Tyga.

#17. Oaklee (girls)

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#17. Oaklee (girls)

Rank in 2017: #942 (up 251 spots from 2016)

Oaklee joins Oakley, #45 on the Social Security Administration 2016–2017 Change in Popularity Index. Oaklee and Oakley are favorites in Utah, where both variants rank in the top 10 most popular names for girls.

#16. Malani (girls)

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#16. Malani (girls)

Rank in 2017: #921 (up 271 spots from 2016)

Malani is Hawaiian for "she who is from the sky." Like most Hawaiian names, the inspiration for Malani comes from the islands' natural beauty.

#15. Luella (girls)

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#15. Luella (girls)

Rank in 2017: #905 (up 298 spots from 2016)

Luella, an amalgamation of Louise and Ella, was a common 19th-century name that drifted out of the U.S. top 1,000 in the 1950s. Celebrity kids like Alabama Luella Barker, daughter of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, have sparked a new appreciation for the name.

#14. Zayd (boys)

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#14. Zayd (boys)

Rank in 2017: #931 (up 211 spots from 2016)

Zayd is an alternative spelling of Zaid—#30 on the Social Security Administration 2016–2017 Change in Popularity Index. Zaid was the adopted son and companion of the Prophet Muhammad.  

#14. Selene (girls)

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#14. Selene (girls)

Rank in 2017: #917 (up 302 spots from 2016)

Selene is the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology. Her Roman counterpart was called Selena. The name's increase in popularity may be linked to the success of actress and singer Selena Gomez.   

#13. Jaxxon (boys)

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#13. Jaxxon (boys)

Rank in 2017: #846 (up 214 spots from 2016)

Jaxxon is an even more fanciful version of Jaxon, which itself is an invented spelling of the traditional English surname Jackson, meaning "son of Jack." Celebrity affection for Jackson and its derivatives helped popularize the name. In 2014 actress Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler named their son Jaxon Wyatt.

#13. Lyanna (girls)

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#13. Lyanna (girls)

Rank in 2017: #858 (up 304 spots from 2016)

Lyanna is the name of two different characters in George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" series, the second to break the Top 1,000 in 2017. Lyanna Mormont—the adolescent Queen of Bear Island—is a featured character on the HBO adaptation.

#12. Reign (boys)

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#12. Reign (boys)

Rank in 2017: #961 (up 236 spots from 2016)

The birth of Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick's son in 2015 cemented Reign as the leading example of the royal name trend. While slightly more popular for boys, Reign came in at #48 on the Social Security Administration's girls' list.

#11. Amora (girls)

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#11. Amora (girls)

Rank in 2017: #698 (up 317 spots from 2016)

Amora is a Spanish name derived from the Latin word amor, meaning love.

#10. Kehlani (girls)

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#10. Kehlani (girls)

Rank in 2017: #522 (up 347 spots from 2016)

Kehlani, which means ”sea and sky," is the most popular of the Hawaiian "-lani" names to make the list. This may be due in part to the popularity of R&B artist Princess Kehlani (born Kehlani Ashley Parrish).  

#9. Gatlin (boys)

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#9. Gatlin (boys)

Rank in 2017: #957 (up 282 spots from 2016)

Gatlin is uncompromisingly masculine, conjuring images of country music and Texas barbecue. Adapted from the English surname, Gatlin means "fellow" or "companion."

#8. Koa (boys)

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#8. Koa (boys)

Rank in 2017: #939 (up 294 spots from 2016)

Koa is the only Hawaiian boys' name to crack the top 50 on the Social Security Administration list, and it's also the highest ranking. Koa means "warrior," and is also the name of a tree native to Hawaii. No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont named his youngest son Koa.

#8. Paisleigh (girls)

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#8. Paisleigh (girls)

Rank in 2017: #840 (up 364 spots from 2016)

Not only is Paisleigh a modern construct, it's also an invented spelling of the Scottish name Paisley, incorporating the popular "-leigh" ending. The name is believed to come from "basilica," the Latin word for "church." Paisley is also the name of an ornate teardrop-patterned fabric.


 

#7. Kashton (boys)

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#7. Kashton (boys)

Rank in 2017: #641 (up 302 spots from 2016)

Kashton is part of the the larger group of "K" names that has taken the current generation of babies by storm. It riffs on the more traditional Cash, while taking on the masculine "-on" ending.  

#7. Octavia (girls)

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#7. Octavia (girls)

Rank in 2017: #593 (up 435 spots from 2016)

This classic Latin name gained traction in the Victorian period, where it was frequently employed for an eighth child. Smaller families put Octavia on the back burner, but it's currently on the upswing. Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer has popularized the name in recent years. Actor Kevin Sorbo also has a daughter named Octavia.  

#6. Emberly (girls)

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#6. Emberly (girls)

Rank in 2017: #629 (up 616 spots from 2016)

A modern invented name, Emberly adds the popular "-ly" ending to Ember, sometimes used as an alternative to Amber. Emberly is phonetically evocative of Everly.

#5. Melania (girls)

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#5. Melania (girls)

Rank in 2017: #930 (up 720 spots from 2016)

First Lady Melania Trump has undoubtedly helped catapult her name to the top of the rankings. A Spanish name with Greek roots, Melania means "black." Melania was one of the names given to Demeter, the goddess of fertility, in Greek mythology.

#4. Colson (boys)

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#4. Colson (boys)

Rank in 2017: #736 (up 323 spots from 2016)

Colson is another surname that has found new life as a first name. It means "swarthy" or "black," and is derived from the old French name Cole.  


 

#4. Oaklyn (girls)

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#4. Oaklyn (girls)

Rank in 2017: #676 (up 749 spots from 2016)

Oaklyn is a twist on Oakley, substituting the "-lyn" suffix for "-ly." This nature-themed name means "oak lake."
 

#3. Dream (girls)

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#3. Dream (girls)

Rank in 2017: #828 (up 840 spots from 2016)

Blac Chyna has the magic touch when it comes to choosing trend-setting baby names. Dream, her daughter with reality star Rob Kardashian, has rocketed to the top of the rankings.

#2. Kairo (boys)

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#2. Kairo (boys)

Rank in 2017: #803 (up 423 spots from 2016)

This inventing spelling of Cairo hops on the "K" bandwagon. Like the more traditional spelling, the name references the Egyptian capital.

#2. Oaklynn (girls)

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#2. Oaklynn (girls)

Rank in 2017: #886 (up 1,072 spots from 2016)

Oaklynn is the highest ranking of the ragingly fashionable oak-inspired names.  

#1. Wells (boys)

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#1. Wells (boys)

Rank in 2017: #915 (up 504 spots from 2016)

Traditionally a surname, Wells skyrocketed to the top of the rankings in 2017. A city in the United Kingdom, Wells means "spring." Pregnancy expert Rosie Pope may have sparked the trend, naming her second son Wellington, nicknamed "Wells," in 2011.  

#1. Ensley (girls)

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#1. Ensley (girls)

Rank in 2017: #965 (up 1,461 spots from 2016)

Ensley, a variation of Ainsley, takes the top spot for girls. An English surname, Ensley means ”one's own meadow.“ "Teen Mom 2" star Jenelle Evans named her daughter Ensley in 2017.