Boy names that returned to the U.S. baby name data in 2023

young leaves

In 2023, which boy names re-emerged most impressively in the U.S. baby name data (after an absence of at least one year)?

Here are the top 10+ boy-name returns:

  1. Yamari, 55 baby boys
  2. Khmari, 24
  3. Amell, 21 (tie)
  4. Jozhiel, 21 (tie)
  5. Nachmen, 18 (tie)
  6. Riftyn, 18 (tie)
  7. Jaydence, 17
  8. Dagim, 16 (tie)
  9. Jehiel, 16 (tie)
  10. Adriell, 15 (5-way tie)
  11. Kamsiyochukwu, 15 (5-way tie)
  12. Leniel, 15 (5-way tie)
  13. Rhettlee, 15 (5-way tie)
  14. Wyndham, 15 (5-way tie)

The return that caught my eye was a little lower on the list — Shohei, given to 13 baby boys last year (after being absent from the data for more than two decades). I’m surprised that the first name of baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani didn’t return a year (or two) earlier than 2023, actually.

If you can think of a likely explanation for any of the returns listed above, please leave a comment!

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from First leaves Novosibirsk Siberia 24.04.2012 by Mikhail Koninin under CC BY 2.0.

Girl names that returned to the U.S. baby name data in 2023

young leaves

In 2023, which girl names re-emerged most impressively in the U.S. baby name data (after an absence of at least one year)?

Here are the top 10+ girl-name returns:

  1. Lylla, 59 baby girls
  2. Azhani, 34
  3. Xalia, 32
  4. Merlina, 27
  5. Daia, 24 (tie)
  6. Mazuri, 24 (tie)
  7. Makaiah, 23
  8. Aneley, 21 (tie)
  9. Kridha, 21 (tie)
  10. Keighley, 19 (tie)
  11. Simora, 19 (tie)

Lylla corresponds to an anthropomorphic otter character from the movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).

Merlina may have been influenced by the Spanish-language TV series Merlina — which is simply the English-language TV series Wednesday translated into Spanish. (The main character, Wednesday Addams, was renamed “Merlina” for Latin American audiences, but “Miércoles” for viewers in Spain.)

Another girl name that re-emerged in the data in 2023 was Eclipse, no doubt inspired by the solar eclipse last October.

If you can explain any of the other returns, please leave a comment!

Sources: SSA, Reddit

Image: Adapted from First leaves Novosibirsk Siberia 24.04.2012 by Mikhail Koninin under CC BY 2.0.

Boy names on the rise in the United States in 2023

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Which boy names increased in usage the most from 2022 to 2023?

Here’s a table of the fastest-rising boy names of 2023. On the left are the top 25 increases in terms of absolute change (numbers of babies). On the right are the top 25 increases in terms of relative change (percentages of babies).

RankBoy nameAbsolute riseBoy nameRelative rise
1Thiago1,041Adael619%
2Miles996Jazai400%
3Mateo850Demiri375%
4Enzo710Endrick329%
5Stetson522Holstyn329%
6Adriel497Jhaziel320%
7Theo493Record311%
8Adonis484Hendon300%
9Milan480Tobechukwu300%
10Matteo460Sameir300%
11Rowan441Eylan280%
12Ezra440Luxxen280%
13Tatum438Murtaza271%
14Dawson394Mailo267%
15Kylian382Delaney260%
16Tate357Imaan260%
17Elian356Koast260%
18Luka350Yunay257%
19Ismael345Amirr250%
20Dylan330Cyxx250%
21Bennett313Ehitan240%
22Colter311Zylon240%
23Cassian309Rocker238%
24Santiago295Saviour238%
25Emiliano295Berish*229%

*Also at 229% was Khayr.

Kylian and Endrick were likely influenced by soccer players Kylian Mbappé (of France) and Endrick (of Brazil).

If you can explain any of the other rises, please leave a comment!

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from Turkey-2036 by Dennis Jarvis under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Girl names on the rise in the United States in 2023

hot air balloons

Which girl names increased in usage the most from 2022 to 2023?

Here’s a table of the fastest-rising girl names of 2023. On the left are the top 25 increases in terms of absolute change (number of babies). On the right are the top 25 increases in terms of relative change (percentage of babies).

RankGirl nameAbsolute riseGirl nameRelative rise
1Lainey2,231Jaretssi1,322%
2Amira707Eluney1,314%
3Wrenley538Eleia913%
4Eden531Arelys886%
5Eliana529Miyori825%
6Lucy421Savani617%
7Georgia404Evanora586%
8Margot396Arayla580%
9Aitana378Darice580%
10Maeve373Analeia556%
11Antonella372Iyari460%
12Millie368Neylan455%
13Sofia367Kaeli451%
14Kaeli352Adaleth443%
15Adaline334Gemmalee400%
16Ashley312Jazlynne360%
17Alora306Lynnie320%
18Mia298Neylani318%
19Sadie291Adalet315%
20Kaia276Icelynn313%
21Miley262Rhaenyra310%
22Azari252Alitzel299%
23Adeline250Annya283%
24Haven238Arabell270%
25Elliana237Vallie*267%

*Also at 267% was Yosuani.

We got a sneak preview of the rise of Lainey in the Wyoming rankings a couple of days ago! Lainey has no doubt been influenced by country singer Lainey Wilson.

And the SSA’s news release mentioned that TikToker Kaeli McEwen is likely behind the sudden interest in Kaeli.

If you can explain any of the other rises, please leave a comment!

Update, 3:15pm (MST): I’m working on the debut name posts right now, and just noticed that one of highest-debuting girl names last year was the Eluney-like Aluney (with 21 baby girls).

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from Turkey-2036 by Dennis Jarvis under CC BY-SA 2.0.