Though most of the baby names in the SSA’s annual datasets are repeats, each dataset does contain a handful of brand-new names.
Below are the most popular debut names for every single year on record, after the first.
Why bother with an analysis like this? Because debut names often have cool stories behind them, and high-hitting debuts are especially likely to have intriguing explanations tied to historical people/events. So this is more than a list of names — it’s also a list of stories.
Here’s the format: “Girl name(s), number of baby girls; Boy name(s), number of baby boys.” Keep in mind that the raw numbers aren’t too trustworthy for about the first six decades, though. (More on that in a minute.)
1880s
- 1881: Adell & Celeste, 14; Brown & Newell, 14
- 1882: Verda, 14; Cleve, 13
- 1883: Laurel, 12; Brady, Festus, Jewell, Odell & Rosco, 8
- 1884: Crystal & Rubie, 11; Benjamen, Jens, Oakley & Whitney, 9
- 1885: Clotilde, 13; Arley & Terence, 9
- 1886: Manuelita, 10; Terrence, 10
- 1887: Verlie, 13; Myles, 11
- 1888: Ebba, 18; Carlisle, Hughie & Orvel, 9
- 1889: Garnett, 12; Doyle, 9
1890s
- 1890: Verena, 11; Eduardo & Maggie, 10
- 1891: Gayle, Idabelle & Zenia, 9; Sheridan, 14
- 1892: Astrid, Dallas & Jennett, 9; Corbett, 23
- 1893: Elmyra, 12; Estel, Mayo, Shelley & Thorwald, 8
- 1894: Beatriz, Carola & Marrie, 9; Arvel, Erby & Floy, 8
- 1895: Trilby, 12; Roosevelt, 12
- 1896: Lotus, 11; Hazen, 11
- 1897: Dewey, 13; Bryon, Frankie, Mario & Rhoda, 7
- 1898: Manilla, 35; Hobson, 38
- 1899: Ardis & Irva, 19; Haven, 9
1900s
- 1900: Luciel, 14; Rosevelt, 20
- 1901: Venita, 11; Eino, 9
- 1902: Mercie, 10; Clarnce, 9
- 1903: Estela, 11; Lenon & Porfirio, 7
- 1904: Magdaline, 9; Adrain, Arbie, Betty, Desmond, Domenic, Duard, Raul & Severo, 8
- 1905: Oliver, 9; Eliot & Tyree, 9
- 1906: Nedra, 11; Domenico & Ryan, 10
- 1907: Theta, 20; Taft, 16
- 1908: Pasqualina, 10; Robley, 12
- 1909: Wilmoth, 9; Randal & Vidal, 9
1910s
- 1910: Ellouise, 12; Halley, 12
- 1911: Thurley, 12; Colie, 16
- 1912: Elynor, Glennis, Mariann, 12; Woodroe, 25
- 1913: Wilba, 18; Vilas, 24
- 1914: Floriene, 14; Torao, 17
- 1915: Wanza, 33; Audra, 18
- 1916: Tatsuko, 14; Verdun, 14
- 1917: Nerine, 43; Delwyn, 14
- 1918: Marne, 24; Foch, 58
- 1919: Tokie, 12; Juaquin, 11
1920s
- 1920: Dardanella, 23; Steele, 11
- 1921: Marilynne, 13; Norberto, 14
- 1922: Evelean, 14; Daren, 35
- 1923: Nalda, 15; Clinard & Dorland, 9
- 1924: Charis, 14; Melquiades, 13
- 1925: Irmalee, 37; Wayburn, 11
- 1926: Narice, 13; Bibb, 14
- 1927: Sunya, 14; Bidwell, 14
- 1928: Joreen, 22; Alfread & Brevard, 9
- 1929: Jeannene, 25; Donnald, Edsol, Rhys & Wolfgang, 8
1930s
- 1930: Laquita, 68; Shogo, 11
- 1931: Joanie, 12; Rockne, 17
- 1932: Carolann, Delano & Jenine, 11; Alvyn, Avelardo, Elena, Mannon & Wenford, 7
- 1933: Gayleen, 23; Skippy, 10
- 1934: Carollee & Janean, 12; Franchot, 9
- 1935: Treasure, 16; Haile, 11
- 1936: Shelva, 89; Renny & Shelva, 9
- 1937: Deeann, 18; Gaynell, 11
- 1938: Sonjia, 19; Daivd, 9
- 1939: Thanna, 17; Brenda, 19
(From the SSA: “Note that many people born before 1937 never applied for a Social Security card, so their names are not included in our data.”)
1940s
- 1940: Sierra, 32; Willkie, 13
- 1941: Jerilynn, 56; Saford, 11
- 1942: Dwala, Gerilyn & Rise, 15; Mcarther, 23
- 1943: Sharelle, 28; Howie, 10
- 1944: Deatra, 29; Kipp, 9
- 1945: Sherida, 26; Vickie, 10
- 1946: Suzzette, 17; Sung & Tyronne, 8
- 1947: Rory, 41; Eliezer, 11
- 1948: Vickii, 30; Ridge, 10
- 1949: Rainelle, 46; Ezzard, 21
1950s
- 1950: Monalisa, 35; Broderick, 30
- 1951: Debralee, 19; Cregg, 10
- 1952: Terria, 17; Faron & Gevan, 12
- 1953: Trenace, 32; Caster, 21
- 1954: Corby, 39; Durk, 17
- 1955: Shevawn, 36; Anothony & Erol, 10
- 1956: Siobhan, 58; Dondi, 19
- 1957: Tierney, 46; Maverick, 32
- 1958: Tamre, 63; Hoby, 30
- 1959: Torey, 102; Rowdy, 22
1960s
- 1960: Leshia, 76; Cully, 31
- 1961: Lavoris, 36; Jefre, 21
- 1962: Lafondra, 30; Thadd, 10
- 1963: Phaedra, 70; Medgar, 25
- 1964: Djuna, 198; Janssen, 16
- 1965: Latrenda, 89; Illya, 35
- 1966: Indira, 43; Jarred, 17
- 1967: Cinnamon, 40; Clayt, 13
- 1968: Laryssa, 67; Jemal, 47
- 1969: Omayra, 42; Tige, 28
1970s
- 1970: Shilo, 38; Toriano, 62
- 1971: Ayanna, 194; Diallo, 54
- 1972: Cotina, 109; Jabbar, 77
- 1973: Yajaira, 55; Yohance, 44
- 1974: Shalawn, 70; Nakia, 611
- 1975: Azure, 121; Viet, 23
- 1976: Tynisa, 79; Delvecchio, 27
- 1977: Kizzy, 1,115; Levar, 523
- 1978: Enjoli, 35; Mychal, 59
- 1979: Chimere, 78; Jorel, 22
1980s
- 1980: Lerin, 35; Tou, 33
- 1981: Fallon, 232; Taurean, 91
- 1982: Tyechia, 71; Eder, 48
- 1983: Mallori, 35; Jonerik & Marquita, 20
- 1984: Nastassja, 40; Eldra, 17
- 1985: Sade, 392; Rishawn, 25
- 1986: Myleka, 38; Cordero, 173
- 1987: Jaleesa, 116; Teyon, 25
- 1988: Jalesa, 77; Kadeem, 52
- 1989: Alexandr, 301; Christop, 1,082
1990s
- 1990: Isamar, 446; Dajour, 26
- 1991: Emilce, 30; Quayshaun, 93
- 1992: Akeiba, 49; Devanta, 41
- 1993: Rosangelica, 91; Deyonta, 37
- 1994: Ajee, 185; Shyheim, 168
- 1995: Yamilex, 130; Alize, 30
- 1996: Moesha, 426; Quindon, 67
- 1997: Erykah, 279; Cross, 43
- 1998: Naidelyn, 78; Zyshonne, 26
- 1999: Verania, 62; Cauy, 32
2000s
- 2000: Kelis, 108; Rithik, 22
- 2001: Yaire, 184; Jahiem, 155
- 2002: Kaydence, 70; Omarian, 31
- 2003: Trenyce, 88; Pharrell, 67
- 2004: Eshal, 38; Jkwon, 100
- 2005: Yarisbel, 30; Jayceon, 48
- 2006: Lizania, 35; Balian, 24
- 2007: Leilene, 81; Yurem, 206
- 2008: Aideliz, 91; Yosgart, 72
- 2009: Greidys, 186; Jeremih, 87
2010s
- 2010: Tynlee, 42; Vadhir, 55
- 2011: Magaby, 50; Jionni, 63
- 2012: Kimbella, 52; Naksh, 28
- 2013: Vanellope, 63; Jaceyon, 89
- 2014: Dalary, 215; Llewyn, 38
- 2015: Kehlani, 48; Gotham, 46
- 2016: Rey, 63; Yuvin, 34
- 2017: Camreigh, 91; Asahd, 59
- 2018: Zhavia, 306; Jahseh, 65
- 2019: Adeya, 22; Armias, 54
2020s
- 2020: Dalett, 94; Aarnik, 14
- 2021: Namaari, 43; Azaire, 25
- 2022: Jazaiyah, 46; Maziyon, 82
- 2023: Rumani, 88; Kaiyr, 40
- 2024: Yashna, 170; Lahiam, 152
I’ve already written about some of the names above, and I plan to write about all the others as well…eventually. In the meanwhile, if you want to beat me to it and leave a comment about why Maverick hit in 1957, or why Moesha hit in 1996, feel free!
Source: U.S. SSA
Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri
[Latest update: May 2025]
