Which girl names emerged in the U.S. baby name data in 2024 for the first time ever?
A total of 721 girl names debuted in the data last year, and the most impressive debut was made by Yashna. Here are the top debuts overall:
- Yashna, 170 baby girls
- Azeira, 65
- Dalzary, 44
- Ailanys, 34
- Zayelle, 30
- Heyssel, 29
- Yeshna, 26
- Khamyri, 25
- Kohani, 24
- Navayla, 24
- Dahira, 23
- Sveya, 23
- Xaelia, 22
- Zenayla, 22
- Avaylah, 21
- Cireya, 20
- Nevayla, 20
- Amrielle, 19
- Mikaely, 18
- Sidak, 18
- Ayliani, 17
- Rosaya, 17
- Yashnareddy, 17
- Khailany, 16
- Esmari, 15
- Hallyn, 15
- Xayoni, 15
- Zyalani, 15
- Alyzzah, 14
- Asiri, 14
- Islani, 14
- Symori, 14
Yashna could have been influenced by the main female character in the Indian movie Hi Nanna, released in late 2023. (The name of the character’s romantic interest, Viraj, also saw an increase in usage last year.)
Here are some more debuts:
| 13 baby girls | Denayt, Elianeth, Inti, Izalyn, Jaziriah, Soulie, Sylphiette, Vihanvi, Xialani, Zaierra |
| 12 baby girls | Calissi, Harmyni, Isaliyah, Islarae, Layvani, Tycelyn, Umay, Zuheilyn |
| 11 baby girls | Amaeva, Dreamlyn, Haniely, Knourish, Kylanii, Laineymae, Shreeva, Xenayla |
| 10 baby girls | Ajorie, Davileth, Ellavie, Esslyn, Kaeor, Kritara, Ozora, Ralani, Rennala, Rouh, Truce, Vidhitsa, Zeliana, Zenova |
Sylphiette seems to originate with the Japanese light novel series Mushoku Tensei (which was adapted into an anime series recently), and Truce was one of the fastest-rising boy names last year.
Finally, here’s a selection of the rest of the debuts:
- 9 baby girls: Eliel, Gelani, Iclynn, Laguna, Nadxheli, Raiha, Tahyssia, Wynrie
- 8 baby girls: Alaula, Bimori, Canari, Daybelis, Hande, Issoria, Keyleth, Luseh, Malaica, Nashlyn, Roper, Shriva, Vexahlia, Winshaida
- 7 baby girls: Anzish, Chrome, Dashely, Faela, Gialani, Koriandr, Luvlee, Malou, Nektaria, Reazyn, Saiomi, Takdeer, Tallinn, Wailani, Zenelle
- 6 baby girls: Aigy, Azurra, Bibihalima, Caiani, Deluna, Emzara, Heva, Idika, Keava, Liserly, Mactzil, Mauve, Millerkate, Nephele, Omisha, Raziella, Sanoa, Talvi, Vidhatri, Wrenlei, Xanai, Ysabeau, Zissi
- 5 baby girls: Abundance, Aikol, Bomi, Chylo, Dashelly, Esila, Fairlight, Gwiza, Haegan, Ionie, Jaomi, Kolibri, Lifsha, Menata, Nivira, Olalla, Pneuma, Quori, Rasta, Shacarri, Tullie, Valleigh, Xielo, Yaqut, Zoet
Shacarri was no doubt inspired by sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. She’s been making headlines for several years now, but in 2024 specifically she won a pair of medals (gold and silver) at the Paris Olympics.
(And, more generally: Laguna means “lagoon” in Spanish, Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, Mactzil means “miracle” in Mayan, and Pneuma means “breath” in Ancient Greek.)
If you can explain any of the other debuts, please leave a comment!
Sources: SSA, Wiktionary
Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri
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