How popular is the baby name Erica in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Erica.

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Popularity of the baby name Erica


Posts that mention the name Erica

Numerology: Baby names with a value of 9

Baby names with a numerological value of 9

If you’re on the hunt for baby names with a numerological value of 9, you’re in luck! Because today’s post features hundreds of 9-names.

Before we get to the names, though — how do we know that they’re “nines” in numerology?

Turning names into numbers

Here’s how to calculate the numerological value of a name.

First, for each letter, come up with a number to represent that letter’s position in the alphabet. (Letter A would be number 1, letter B would be number 2, and so forth.) Then, add all the numbers together. If the sum has two or more digits, add the digits together recursively until the result is a single digit. That single digit is the name’s numerological value.

For instance, the letters in the name Rockwell correspond to the numbers 18, 15, 3, 11, 23, 5, 12, and 12. The sum of these numbers is 99. The digits of 99 added together equal 18, and the digits of 18 added together equal 9 — the numerological value of Rockwell.

Baby names with a value of 9

Below you’ll find the most popular 9-names per gender, according to the latest U.S. baby name data. I’ve further sub-categorized them by total sums — just in case any of those larger numbers are significant to anyone.

9

The letters in the unisex baby name Ace add up to 9.

9 via 18

The letters in the following baby names add up to 18, which reduces to nine (1+8=9).

Girl names (9 via 18)Boy names (9 via 18)
Lea, Gaia, Ela, Acacia, AddiCan, Adal, Acie, Edi, Jag

9 via 27

The letters in the following baby names add up to 27, which reduces to nine (2+7=9).

Girl names (9 via 27)Boy names (9 via 27)
Leia, Alma, Aleah, Aya, Chana, Adele, Dalia, Elia, Emi, Amal, Eila, Safa, Koa, Daila, AdleeCaden, Koa, Jake, Ahmad, Eddie, Cain, Cian, Job, Geo, Oak, Jeff

9 via 36

The letters in the following baby names add up to 36, which reduces to nine (3+6=9).

Girl names (9 via 36)Boy names (9 via 36)
Malia, Lina, Angie, Kiana, Halo, Anika, Maddie, Vida, Belle, Darla, Zia, Erica, Nila, Reece, Emme, Aoife, Nahla, Lani, Irha, Leen, Sanaa, Coco, Indi, Amila, Maila, Una, Safia, AikoChase, Reid, Jay, Caiden, Reece, Alden, Lian, Kiaan, Kase, Bilal, Davi, Kip, Ilan, Neel, Deegan, Zade, Fidel, Dakoda, Earl, Caelan, Halo, Chet, Luc, Rael, Mick, Chip, Abdias

9 via 45

The letters in the following baby names add up to 45, which reduces to nine (4+5=9).

Girl names (9 via 45)Boy names (9 via 45)
Remi, Arya, Ariel, Fiona, Selah, Raya, Kora, Helena, Emelia, Briana, Yara, Tiana, Kenna, Emmie, Dulce, Amelie, Paola, Ayra, Kacey, Jayde, Eleni, Anita, Zadie, Areli, Nailah, Amilia, Nechama, Delani, Regan, Ahlani, Tania, Cori, Iqra, Makena, Audra, Alaska, Debora, Denali, Minha, Ivie, Jiya, Oona, Cove, Marla, Denim, Auden, Alahni, Kyah, Zen, Avila, Rhema, Luci, Caleigh, Ilani, Camari, Arlie, Kalli, Ilse, MahaliaElijah, Daniel, Luka, Cohen, Clark, Tadeo, Ariel, Kayce, Emir, Ty, Remi, Koen, Enoch, Azael, Damir, Zen, Khalid, Vance, Meir, Fox, Kacey, Keon, Gino, Kenan, Denim, Aydan, Lamar, Cove, Coby, Rico, Jaleel, Aziah, Auden, Camari, Chayce, Saleh, Duane, Jamil, Haider, Kolbe, Lucah, Melo, Rakan, Arya, Ciro, Jakub, Opie, Gohan, Wali, Ojas

9 via 54

The letters in the following baby names add up to 54, which reduces to nine (5+4=9).

Girl names (9 via 54)Boy names (9 via 54)
Elliana, Bailey, Alayna, Alivia, Regina, Marlee, Carmen, Ariya, Zahra, Margo, Melina, Karina, Love, Milena, Keyla, Hadleigh, Zola, Mazie, Melani, Gianni, Zarah, Siya, Lori, Keidy, Sofie, Geneva, Elly, Sheila, Jessa, Tamara, Brenna, Zari, Maura, Bowie, Kaori, Arayah, Emmalee, Inez, Devin, Alyana, Maleni, Elisha, Kamaria, Joann, Kaley, Carrie, Aithana, Malinda, Raiya, Syeda, Nikki, Kolbie, Kiyah, Layana, Runa, JadynMateo, Gabriel, Kairo, Angelo, Gideon, Gianni, Devin, Rocco, Izaiah, Musa, Harlan, Elisha, Jrue, Lyle, Bowie, Jaxen, Eason, Dovid, Ayman, Henri, Azlan, Bailey, Axell, Keoni, Shaya, Hardin, Valen, Camren, Hazen, Lenin, Iver, Diesel, Kainen, Salim, Azir, Lior, Banner, Jadyn, Amaru, Arlin, Keion, Khaleel, Rider, Aeson, Sayed

9 via 63

The letters in the following baby names add up to 63, which reduces to nine (6+3=9).

Girl names (9 via 63)Boy names (9 via 63)
Madeline, Brielle, Olive, Noelle, Miriam, Angelina, Hattie, Fernanda, Zariah, Paris, Beatrice, Reyna, Johanna, Rayne, Meilani, Luella, Kailey, Korra, Kaylie, Imogen, Maizie, Ireland, Kamille, Keeley, Lakyn, Divine, Odessa, Tess, Carleigh, Janyla, Navya, Kyrah, Aliyana, Nyx, Vanya, Asiyah, Goldy, Melodie, Aster, Anissa, Emeline, Landrie, Leylah, Sandy, Atley, Aziza, ElloraMatias, Emilio, Leonel, Saint, Jaziel, Kylo, Nehemiah, Kylan, Otis, Caspian, Gatlin, Azrael, Bridger, Roger, Kaiser, Jones, Rishi, Coleman, Bentlee, Anson, Carmine, Macklin, Zealand, Ranger, Deangelo, Ismail, Shaun, Santi, Chevy, Jhett, Divine, Yohan, Avyan, Amauri, Keller, Mikhail, Reyan, Jeyden, Naftali, Domenic, Nicolai, Konrad, Rayne, Deonte, Paris, Jaylan, Jaidyn, Nikhil, Tyr, Kellin, Mahlon, Kavon, Romel, Mikey

9 via 72

The letters in the following baby names add up to 72, which reduces to nine (7+2=9).

Girl names (9 via 72)Boy names (9 via 72)
Sophie, Aubrey, Valerie, River, Magnolia, Everlee, Holly, Lorelai, Itzel, Jayleen, Mikayla, Charley, Savanna, Jaylani, Lilianna, Judith, Ryann, Soleil, Kynlee, Emmaline, Betty, Jaylene, Kaylin, Mercedes, Karely, Silvia, Kailyn, Cooper, Kenley, Chevelle, Zylah, Saphira, Blakeleigh, Ashanti, Laikyn, Blythe, Izabelle, Rainey, Theadora, Hosanna, Elyanna, Kylani, Karley, Loralei, Maisey, ZemiraCooper, River, Tanner, Kylian, Darius, Mohammed, Rocky, Jordy, Yasir, Tylan, Khyree, Canyon, Dwayne, Aubrey, Phineas, Kamron, Irvin, Charley, Hendrick, Jahaziel, Pranav, Casimir, Lucky, Reyes, Deshaun, Clement, Broly, Markell, Brendon, Masyn, Kavion, Syair, Elimelech, Cashmere, Rony

9 via 81

The letters in the following baby names add up to 81, which reduces to nine (8+1=9).

Girl names (9 via 81)Boy names (9 via 81)
Brynlee, Vanessa, Xiomara, Jennifer, Malaysia, Louise, Jenesis, Sariyah, Arlette, Yasmin, Aubriella, Tiffany, Lottie, Elisabeth, Ruthie, Jaelynn, Nathaly, Lavender, Venus, Tenley, Maisyn, Gitty, Karolina, Stori, Vivien, Hudson, Jaslyn, Kalliope, Beatriz, Destinee, Ivette, Taylin, Elisheva, Ramsey, Reilly, Ozzie, Arantza, Twyla, Novella, ElyssaOliver, Hudson, Nicholas, Lawrence, Samson, Jamison, Nikolas, Mustafa, Zavier, Rodney, Aurelio, Rogelio, Ernest, Kolter, Eliyahu, Orson, Ozzie, Ramsey, Jamarion, Dezmond, Kyzen, Taylin, Braylin, Conway, Eliott, Dayvon, Heston, Reilly, Selvin, Alastair, Marius, Jenesis, Timur, Davonte, Prynce, Tavion, Baltazar

9 via 90

The letters in the following baby names add up to 90, which reduces to nine (9+0=9).

Girl names (9 via 90)Boy names (9 via 90)
Autumn, Saylor, Leighton, Skyler, Evangelina, Anderson, Paxton, Bridgette, Honesti, Payson, KensleighTheodore, Sebastian, Matthew, Waylon, Maxwell, Paxton, Clayton, Anderson, Raymond, Westin, Skyler, Leighton, Curtis, Terrell, Aleksander, Reyansh, Atreyu, Gonzalo, Sulaiman, Marcelino, Saylor, Romello, Yonatan, Olivier, Alphonse

9 via 99

The letters in the following baby names add up to 99, which reduces to nine (9+9=18; 1+8=9).

Girl names (9 via 99)Boy names (9 via 99)
Emersyn, Gracelynn, Priscilla, Yoselin, Jupiter, Verity, Yitty, Stormie, Grayson, Presleigh, Swayze, CerenityGrayson, Cristobal, Kassius, Rockwell, Jupiter, Stuart, Jeronimo, Kingsten, Whitten

9 via 108

The letters in the following baby names add up to 108, which reduces to nine (1+0+8=9).

Girl names (9 via 108)Boy names (9 via 108)
Journey, Roselyn, Emberlynn, Violette, Kollyns, Rylynn, Jacquelyn, Gwenivere, Scotlyn, Yatziri, EllingtonAlessandro, Vincenzo, Cristiano, Journey, Fitzgerald, Truitt

9 via 117

The letters in the following baby names add up to 117, which reduces to nine (1+1+7=9).

Girl names (9 via 117)Boy names (9 via 117)
Novalynn, Marguerite, Quinnley, Augustine, RoslynnAugustine, Yitzchok, Treyton, Maximillian, Trystan, Stockton

9 via 126

The letters in the following baby names add up to 126, which reduces to nine (1+2+6=9).

Girl names (9 via 126)Boy names (9 via 126)
Brooklynn, Quinlynn, Tennyson, Quinnlyn, StellaroseTennyson, Dionysus, Marvelous, Artavious, Atharvreddy

Number 9: Significance and associations

What does the number nine mean in numerology?

There’s no definitive answer, unfortunately, because various numerological systems exist, and each one has its own interpretation of the number nine. That said, if we look at a couple of modern numerology/astrology websites, we see 9 being described as “humanitarian,” “tolerant,” “helpful,” “determined,” and “compassionate.”

We can also look at associations, which are a bit more concrete. Here are some things that are associated with the number 9:

  • Pregnancy (9 months long)
  • Baseball (9 players on the field; 9 innings)
  • K-9 (“canine”) police dog units
  • “Cloud nine” (expression)
  • “Nine lives” of a cat (expression)
  • “To the nines” (expression)
  • “The whole nine yards” (expression)

What does the number 9 mean to you? What are your strongest associations with the number?

P.S. To see names with other numerological values, check out the posts for the numbers one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight.

Sources: SSA, Numerology – Cafe Astrology, The meaning of the numbers 1 – 9 – World Numerology, 9 – Wikipedia

[Latest update: Jan. 2024]

Girl named “Reese E. Cupp” wins Reese’s fan contest

Reese's peanut butter cups wrapper

Eight years ago, North Carolina couple Renee and Eric Cupp were expecting their second daughter.

Their first was named Erica, after dad, so they decided that the second should have “a name that more closely resembled Renee’s.” This — plus the fact that wanted to pay tribute to their favorite chocolate and peanut butter candy — inspired them to select the first and middle names Reese Eve, i.e., “Reese E. Cupp.”

Although the correct pronunciation of the candy is “Rees-IS,” Cupp tells PEOPLE that she has always pronounced it “Rees-EES,” which is a common inflection of the popular chocolate brand, thus the addition of her daughter’s middle initial.

Update: A few weeks after this post went up, little Reese E. Cupp won Hershey’s #ReesesOutrageous fan contest!

The Cupp family received the grand prize of $10,000 and a year’s supply of Reese’s. Not only that, but “the candy company even proclaimed June 14 “Reese E. Cupp Day” and agreed to pronounce the product Reese-EE for one day only.”

P.S. One of the other #ReesesOutrageous entrants, Michigan nurse Shannon Dorchak, named her baby girl Reese after the candy as well.

Sources:

[Latest update: Apr. 2024]

How have soap operas influenced U.S. baby names?

Actress Eileen Davidson (who played character Ashley Abbott on "The Young and the Restless") on the cover of "Soap Opera Digest" in February of 1983.
Ashley Abbott from “Y&R

Below are nearly 40 baby names that have been given a boost by various soap operas — All My Children, The Young and the Restless, General Hospital, One Life to Live, and more.

Adriana
The character Adriana Castillo debuted on Santa Barbara on the first day of 1989 as a baby. The baby name Adriana saw a significant usage increase the same year.

  • 1991: 2,241 baby girls named Adriana (rank: 139th)
  • 1990: 2,150 baby girls named Adriana (rank: 144th)
  • 1989: 2,259 baby girls named Adriana (rank: 135th)
  • 1988: 1,447 baby girls named Adriana (rank: 189th)
  • 1987: 1,210 baby girls named Adriana (rank: 218th)

Alanmichael
The character Alan-Michael Spaulding debuted on Guiding Light in 1981 as a baby, then was re-introduced in 1987 as a teenager (impossibly). The baby name Alanmichael debuted on the baby name charts the following year, as did variants Allanmichael and Allenmichael.

  • 1990: 29 baby boys named Alanmichael
  • 1989: 16 baby boys named Alanmichael
  • 1988: 13 baby boys named Alanmichael [debut]
  • 1987: unlisted
  • 1986: unlisted

Alexis
The character Alexis Colby debuted on Dynasty in 1981. The baby name Alexis saw a significant usage increase the next year.

  • 1983: 3,463 baby girls named Alexis (rank: 83rd)
  • 1982: 3,122 baby girls named Alexis (rank: 93rd)
  • 1981: 1,585 baby girls named Alexis (rank: 172nd)
  • 1980: 1,268 baby girls named Alexis (rank: 204th)
  • 1979: 1,010 baby girls named Alexis (rank: 248th)

Ashley
The character Ashley Abbott debuted on The Young and the Restless in 1982. The baby name Ashley saw a significant usage increase that year.

  • 1984: 38,757 baby girls named Ashley (rank: 3rd)
  • 1983: 33,280 baby girls named Ashley (rank: 4th)
  • 1982: 14,844 baby girls named Ashley (rank: 17th)
  • 1981: 8,874 baby girls named Ashley (rank: 34th)
  • 1980: 7,291 baby girls named Ashley (rank: 40th)

Bianca
The character Bianca Montgomery — daughter of Erica Kane — was born during a February 1988 episode of All My Children. The baby name Bianca saw a significant usage increase that year.

  • 1990: 3,826 baby girls named Bianca (rank: 84th)
  • 1989: 3,593 baby girls named Bianca (rank: 91st)
  • 1988: 2,636 baby girls named Bianca (rank: 108th)
  • 1987: 919 baby girls named Bianca (rank: 268th)
  • 1986: 830 baby girls named Bianca (rank: 294th)

Britta
The character Britta Englund both debuted and died on Days of Our Lives during 1986. The baby name Britta saw peak usage the same year.

  • 1988: 117 baby girls named Britta
  • 1987: 151 baby girls named Britta
  • 1986: 191 baby girls named Britta (rank: 867th)
  • 1985: 77 baby girls named Britta
  • 1984: 66 baby girls named Britta

Ciji
The character Ciji Dunne debuted on Knot’s Landing in 1982. The baby name Ciji saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1985: 60 baby girls named Ciji
  • 1984: 150 baby girls named Ciji (rank: 963rd)
  • 1983: 244 baby girls named Ciji (rank: 698th)
  • 1982: 8 baby girls named Ciji
  • 1981: unlisted

Cordero
The character Cordero “Cord” Roberts debuted on One Life to Live in 1986. The baby name Cordero debuted on the baby name charts the same year. Cordero was the most impressive newbie name of 1986, in fact. Related names like Corderro, Cordaro, Cordarro, Kordero, Cardero, Cordaryl, Cordario and Codero also debuted.

  • 1988: 236 baby boys named Cordero (rank: 615th)
  • 1987: 340 baby boys named Cordero (rank: 481st)
  • 1986: 173 baby boys named Cordero (rank: 689th) [debut]
  • 1985: unlisted
  • 1984: unlisted

Corvina
The character Corvina Lang appeared occasionally on All My Children in the mid-1990s. The baby name Corvina was a one-hit wonder in 1995.

  • 1997: unlisted
  • 1996: unlisted
  • 1995: 5 baby girls named Corvina [debut]
  • 1994: unlisted
  • 1993: unlisted

Decker
The character Decker Moss debuted on General Hospital in 1989. The baby name Decker debuted on the baby name charts the following year.

  • 1992: 13 baby boys named Decker
  • 1991: 14 baby boys named Decker
  • 1990: 14 baby boys named Decker [debut]
  • 1989: unlisted
  • 1988: unlisted

Drucilla
The character Drucilla Winters debuted on The Young and the Restless in 1990. The baby name Drucilla saw a moderate rise in usage over the following years.

  • 1992: 42 baby girls named Drucilla
  • 1991: 22 baby girls named Drucilla
  • 1990: 13 baby girls named Drucilla
  • 1989: 6 baby girls named Drucilla
  • 1988: unlisted

Echo
The character Echo DiSavoy debuted on One Life to Live in 1983. The baby name Echo saw a significant usage increase that year.

  • 1985: 115 baby girls named Echo
  • 1984: 182 baby girls named Echo (rank: 846th)
  • 1983: 181 baby girls named Echo (rank: 844th)
  • 1982: 60 baby girls named Echo
  • 1981: 61 baby girls named Echo

Egypt
The character Egypt Jones Masters debuted on Loving in 1988. The baby name Egypt returned to the data the same year.

  • 1990: 37 baby girls named Egypt
  • 1989: 30 baby girls named Egypt
  • 1988: 22 baby girls named Egypt
  • 1987: unlisted
  • 1986: unlisted

Felicia
The character Felicia Cummings debuted on General Hospital in 1984. The baby name Felicia saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1987: 2911 baby girls named Felicia (rank: 96th)
  • 1986: 3,081 baby girls named Felicia (rank: 90th)
  • 1985: 2,738 baby girls named Felicia (rank: 101st)
  • 1984: 1,485 baby girls named Felicia (rank: 185th)
  • 1983: 1,502 baby girls named Felicia (rank: 181st)

Frisco
The character Andrew “Frisco” Jones debuted on General Hospital in 1984. The baby name Frisco debuted on the baby name charts the same year.

  • 1986: 25 baby boys named Frisco
  • 1985: 16 baby boys named Frisco
  • 1984: 7 baby boys named Frisco [debut]
  • 1983: unlisted
  • 1982: unlisted

Holden
The character Holden Snyder debuted on As the World Turns in 1986. The baby name Holden saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1988: 143 baby boys named Holden (rank: 794th)
  • 1987: 107 baby boys named Holden (rank: 910th)
  • 1986: 58 baby boys named Holden
  • 1985: 15 baby boys named Holden
  • 1984: 17 baby boys named Holden

India
The character India von Halkein debuted on Guiding Light in 1984. The baby name India saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1986: 603 baby girls named India (rank: 385th)
  • 1985: 754 baby girls named India (rank: 318th)
  • 1984: 329 baby girls named India (rank: 561st)
  • 1983: 178 baby girls named India (rank: 858th)
  • 1982: 141 baby girls named India

Jagger
The character Jagger Cates debuted on General Hospital in 1992. The baby name Jagger saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1994: 91 baby boys named Jagger
  • 1993: 105 baby boys named Jagger
  • 1992: 19 baby boys named Jagger
  • 1991: 6 baby boys named Jagger
  • 1990: unlisted

Jillian (added 3/22/20, thanks Marilyn!)
The character Jillian Coleridge debuted on Ryan’s Hope in 1975. The baby name Jillian saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1977: 1055 baby girls named Jillian (rank: 246th)
  • 1976: 252 baby girls named Jillian (rank: 620th)
  • 1975: 89 baby girls named Jillian
  • 1974: 85 baby girls named Jillian
  • 1973: 93 baby girls named Jillian

Jimmylee
The character Jimmy Lee Holt debuted on General Hospital in 1983. The baby name Jimmylee debuted on the baby name charts the following year.

  • 1985: 11 baby boys named Jimmylee
  • 1984: 19 baby boys named Jimmylee
  • 1983: 12 baby boys named Jimmylee [debut]
  • 1982: unlisted
  • 1981: unlisted

Joyelle
The character Joyelle was “born” on How To Survive A Marriage in 1975. The baby names Joyelle, Joyel and Joyell all debuted on the baby name charts the same year.

  • 1977: 15/9/10 baby girls named Joyelle/Joyel/Joyell
  • 1976: 31/23/20 baby girls named Joyelle/Joyel/Joyell
  • 1975: 88/79/51 baby girls named Joyelle/Joyel/Joyell [debuts]
  • 1974: unlisted
  • 1973: unlisted

Katina
The character Katina was “born” on Where the Heart Is in 1972. The baby name Katina saw a significant usage increase that year, and related names like Cotina, Katena, Kateena, Cantina and Catena debuted. Cotina was the most impressive newbie name of 1972, in fact. Here’s more on the name Katina.

  • 1974: 765 baby girls named Katina (rank: 307th)
  • 1973: 2,469 baby girls named Katina (rank: 120th)
  • 1972: 2,747 baby girls named Katina (rank: 117th)
  • 1971: 96 baby girls named Katina
  • 1970: 60 baby girls named Katina

Kayla
The character Kayla Brady debuted on Days of Our Lives in 1982. The baby name Kayla saw a significant usage increase that year.

  • 1984: 2,681 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 100th)
  • 1983: 3,527 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 81st)
  • 1982: 2,275 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 133rd)
  • 1981: 318 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 581st)
  • 1980: 313 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 594th)

…and when Kayla Brady returned to Days in 1986 (after leaving in 1983), the name Kayla became the fastest-rising girl name of 1987:

  • 1989: 14,902 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 20th)
  • 1988: 13,431 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 20th)
  • 1987: 10,576 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 27th)
  • 1986: 4,657 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 64th)
  • 1985: 2,607 baby girls named Kayla (rank: 108th)

Keemo
The character Keemo Volien Abbott debuted on The Young and the Restless in 1994. The baby name Keemo was a one-hit wonder in 1994.

  • 1996: unlisted
  • 1995: unlisted
  • 1994: 7 baby boys named Keemo [debut]
  • 1993: unlisted
  • 1992: unlisted

Krystle
The character Krystle Carrington debuted on Dynasty in 1981. The baby name Krystle saw a significant usage increase that year.

  • 1983: 1,067 baby girls named Krystle (rank: 232nd)
  • 1982: 916 baby girls named Krystle (rank: 269th)
  • 1981: 448 baby girls named Krystle (rank: 473rd)
  • 1980: 26 baby girls named Krystle
  • 1979: 14 baby girls named Krystle

Lahoma
The character Lahoma Vane debuted on Another World in 1967. The baby name Lahoma saw a usage increase the following year. Here’s more on the name Lahoma.

  • 1969: 44 baby girls named Lahoma
  • 1968: 109 baby girls named Lahoma
  • 1967: 24 baby girls named Lahoma
  • 1966: unlisted
  • 1965: 6 baby girls named Lahoma

Laken
The character Laken Lockridge debuted on Santa Barbara in 1984. The baby name Laken debuted on the baby name charts the same year.

  • 1986: 94 baby girls named Laken
  • 1985: 109 baby girls named Laken
  • 1984: 19 baby girls named Laken [debut]
  • 1983: unlisted
  • 1982: unlisted

Marlena
The character Marlena Evans debuted on Days of Our Lives in 1976. The baby name Marlena saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1979: 387 baby girls named Marlena
  • 1978: 470 baby girls named Marlena
  • 1977: 423 baby girls named Marlena
  • 1976: 168 baby girls named Marlena
  • 1975: 135 baby girls named Marlena

Mergeron
The character Dina Mergeron debuted on The Young and the Restless in 1983. The baby name Mergeron was a one-hit wonder in 1984.

  • 1986: unlisted
  • 1985: unlisted
  • 1984: 5 baby boys named Mergeron [debut]
  • 1983: unlisted
  • 1982: unlisted

Mikkos
The character Mikkos Cassadine debuted on General Hospital in 1981. The baby name Mikkos debuted on the baby name charts the same year. Variant name Mikos also debuted that year.

  • 1983: unlisted
  • 1982: 6 baby boys named Mikkos
  • 1981: 15 baby boys named Mikkos [debut]
  • 1980: unlisted
  • 1979: unlisted

Penny
The character Penny Hughes debuted on As the World Turns in 1956. The baby name Penny saw a usage increase the following year.

  • 1958: 3,557 baby girls named Penny
  • 1957: 3,042 baby girls named Penny
  • 1956: 2,345 baby girls named Penny
  • 1955: 2,211 baby girls named Penny
  • 1954: 2,135 baby girls named Penny

Reva
The character Reva Shayne debuted on Guiding Light in 1983. The baby name Reva saw a significant usage increase the following year.

  • 1986: 134 baby girls named Reva
  • 1985: 115 baby girls named Reva
  • 1984: 92 baby girls named Reva
  • 1983: 43 baby girls named Reva
  • 1982: 37 baby girls named Reva

Ridge
The character Ridge Forrester debuted on The Bold and the Beautiful in 1987. The baby name Ridge re-entered the baby name charts after a long absence the same year.

  • 1989: 105 baby boys named Ridge (rank: 1,000th)
  • 1988: 99 baby boys named Ridge (rank: 975th)
  • 1987: 26 baby boys named Ridge
  • 1986: unlisted
  • 1985: unlisted

Scorpio
The character Robert Scorpio debuted on General Hospital in late 1980. The baby name Scorpio debuted in the baby name data the next year.

  • 1983: 13 baby boys named Scorpio
  • 1982: 5 baby boys named Scorpio
  • 1981: 9 baby boys named Scorpio [debut]
  • 1980: unlisted
  • 1979: unlisted

Sierra
The character Sierra Esteban debuted on As the World Turns in 1985. The baby name Sierra saw a significant usage increase that year.

  • 1987: 1,620 baby girls names Sierra (rank: 173rd)
  • 1986: 1,610 baby girls names Sierra (rank: 169th)
  • 1985: 1,199 baby girls names Sierra (rank: 215th)
  • 1984: 230 baby girls names Sierra (rank: 720th)
  • 1983: 193 baby girls names Sierra (rank: 807th)

Skye
The character Skye Chandler debuted on All My Children in 1986. The baby name Skye saw a significant increase in usage as a girl name the next year.

  • 1989: 241 baby girls named Skye (rank: 793rd)
  • 1988: 240 baby girls named Skye (rank: 788th)
  • 1987: 240 baby girls named Skye (rank: 748th)
  • 1986: 116 baby girls named Skye
  • 1985: 100 baby girls named Skye

Snapper
The character William “Snapper” Foster (played by pre-Knight Rider David Hasselhoff) debuted on The Young and the Restless in 1973. The baby name Snapper debuted on the baby name charts the same year.

  • 1975: 6 baby boys names Snapper
  • 1974: 8 baby boys names Snapper
  • 1973: 5 baby boys names Snapper [debut]
  • 1972: unlisted
  • 1971: unlisted

Tara
The character Tara Martin debuted on All My Children in 1970. The baby name Tara saw a significant usage increase that year. Here’s more on the name Tara.

  • 1972: 7,230 baby girls named Tara (rank: 38th)
  • 1971: 6,327 baby girls named Tara (rank: 50th)
  • 1970: 5,334 baby girls named Tara (rank: 69th)
  • 1969: 3,519 baby girls named Tara (rank: 107th)
  • 1968: 2,184 baby girls named Tara (rank: 147th)

Do you know anyone named for a soap opera character?

Update, 4/2017: Here’s another: Tyger!

Update, 3/2020: Here’s a post about Grayling, Althea, Spring and Babby from The Brighter Day.

Update, 5/2021: Here’s a post that mentions Nico and Cecily from All My Children.

Girl names for parents who don’t like girl names

Some parents see names like Angelina, Isabella, and Olivia and think, “I’m not going to bother weeding through these frilly, dainty names on the off chance I find a good one. Forget it. I’m gonna flip ahead to the boy names.”

What these parents might not realize, though, is that there are plenty of strong, non-girlie girl names out there. Here are three types I’ve come up with.

Girl Names with Boyish Nicknames

A boy name wrapped in a girl name — the best of both worlds. Most of the full names below are based on boy names, so they simply shorten to the same pet forms.

Alex – Alexandra
Andy – Andrea, Miranda
Bernie – Bernadette
Cal – Calista, Calla
Clem – Clementine
Dan – Danielle
Ernie – Ernestine
Frank – Frances
Gerry – Geraldine
Gus – Augusta
Jack – Jacqueline
Jo – Josephine, Johanna
Max – Maxine
Mo – Monique, Maureen
Nick – Nicole, Monica, Veronica
Rick – Erica
Rob – Roberta
Sal – Salome, Sarah
Tony – Antonia
Will – Wilhelmina

Girl Names with Lots of Consonants

Girl names with at least as many consonants as vowels tend to sound much more serious than vowel-laden girl names. Especially if they end with a consonant (or a consonant-sound).

Adele*
Agnes
Alice
Ardith
Astrid
Blanche
Bridget
Brooke
Carmen
Claire*
Edith
Eleanor*
Elizabeth
Enid
Esther
Gertrude
Gretchen
Harriet
Helen
Hester
Imogene*
Ingrid
Jane
Janet
Jill
Joan
Judith
Katherine
Laurel
Mabel
Margaret
Marion
Maude*
Megan
Meredith
Nadine
Rachel
Ruth
Sibyl
Tamar

*Technically, these names have more vowels than consonants. But it doesn’t sound like they do, and that’s the important part.

Girl Names with Unusual Letters/Sounds

Unusual things command your attention. They may seem odd, but, because they stand out, they also tend to seem bold.

Beatrix
Beulah
Eugenia
Eunice
Gwyneth
Hazel
Izora
Maeve
Tirzah
Tallulah
Ursula
Violet
Winifred
Winona
Yolanda
Zelda
Zenobia
Zillah

What other types of girl names would you add to this list?