It’s always an exciting time of year when the Social Security Administration (SSA) releases its list of the 1,000 most popular baby girl names of the year. Expectant parents might use the SSA list for baby name inspiration, or parents might look to see where their kid’s name falls on this year’s list. Others might simply be curious: Will Olivia hold onto her spot as the top baby girl name for another year? Will more celestial-inspired names start climbing the charts, given all the “moon joy”? Keep scrolling to find out.
Using data from each year’s social security card applications, the United States federal agency ranks the most popular names given to both baby girls and baby boys from the previous year. But if you’re thinking that you don’t want to commit your kid to a childhood of name-sharing with 20 others in her school, don’t worry. While the list brims with U.S. parents’ top picks, each name only accounts for 1-2% of all baby names given that year.
Ready to find your new favorite baby name? Scroll on for the most popular baby names for girls in the last year, sure to inspire the most popular baby girl names in 2026, too.
Looking for the most popular boy names of the year? Click here!
The 20 Most Popular Baby Girl Names of 2026
1. Olivia
Origin | Meaning: Latin | Olive tree
Change in rank: Holds her place as the most popular girl’s baby name for a sixth year in a row.
2. Charlotte
Origin | Meaning: French | Free man
Change in rank: Moved up from fourth to the second most popular baby name.
3. Emma
Origin | Meaning: German | Whole, universal
Change in rank: Emma moved down a spot. Emma was the most popular girl’s name in 2018.
4. Amelia
Origin | Meaning: German | Work
Change in rank: Moved down one spot.
5. Sophia
Origin | Meaning: Greek | Wisdom
Change in rank: Moved up one spot.
6. Mia
Origin | Meaning: Hebrew, Italian, Spanish | Mine
Change in rank: Moved down one spot.
7. Isabella
Origin | Meaning: Spanish, Italian | Pledged to God
Change in rank: Stayed at number seven for a third year in a row.
8. Evelyn
Origin | Meaning: French, German | Desired, or water, island
Change in rank: Stayed the same.
9. Sofia
Origin | Meaning: Greek | Wisdom
Change in rank: This spelling of Sofia moved up a spot this year. Using “playground logic,” if combining the two spellings of Sofia, it could be argued that Sophia/Sofia is actually the year’s top girls’ name.
10. Eliana
Origin | Meaning: Hebrew, Latin | God has answered, sun
Change in rank: The biggest mover up the list in the last two years, Eliana jumped from 18 to the Top 10.
11. Ava
Origin | Meaning: Latin | Life, bird, water, island
Change in rank: Fell from the Top 10 this year, moving down two spots.
12. Eleanor
Origin | Meaning: French, Greek | Lighthearted
Change in rank: Moved up two spots. With such a sweet meaning, it’s no wonder this sweet old-fashioned name is on the rise in popularity.
13. Violet
Origin | Meaning: Latin | Purple
Change in rank: This pretty, floral-inspired name moved up another two spots this year. Violet has been steadily rising since the early 2010s.
14. Ailany
Origin | Meaning: Hawaiian | Chief
Change in rank: Noted as one of the fastest-rising girls’ names last year, Ailany wasn’t even in the Top 1,000 in 2022. The name shot from 101 to 14 this year. It’s an Hawaiian baby name rich with culture and history!
15. Aurora
Origin | Meaning: Latin | Dawn
Change in rank: Say “hello” to the new top celestial baby name in town. Luna fell out of the Top 20 most popular girl names, while Aurora moved up one spot.
16. Harper
Origin | Meaning: English | Harp player
Change in rank: Moved down four spots.
17. Elizabeth
Origin | Meaning: Hebrew | Pledged to God
Change in rank: A perennial top name, Elizabeth stayed the same.
18. Lily
Origin | Meaning: English | Lily flower symbolizing purity and innocence
Change in rank: Moved up six spots.
19. Camila
Origin | Meaning: Portuguese, Spanish | Young ceremonial attendant
Change in rank: Moved down eight spots.
20. Nora
Origin | Meaning: Latin, Arabic | Light, honor
Change in rank: Nora rose two spots since last year, cracking the Top 20 for the first time since the SSA list started keeping track.
Looking for more of the best baby names? Start here:
- Most Popular Baby Names by State
- Most Popular Baby Names by Decade
- 101 Cool Girl Names That Feel Modern, Unique & Totally Trendy in 2026
The Top 5 Fastest-Rising Girls’ Names
Starting last year, the Social Security Administration also ranked the top five fastest-rising girls’ names. Names Ailany and Aylani topped this list last year, and Hawaiian names are still among the year’s biggest movers:
1. Klarity: A variation on the spelling of “clarity.”
2. Rynlee: Likely a variation on the spelling of the more popular nature-inspired name, Wrenley.
3. Ailanny: A variation on this year’s biggest jump in the Top 20, Ailany, meaning “chief,” perhaps signaling a trend in girl names that evoke strength.
4. Naylani: Hawaiian name Leilani has been a favorite in recent years, and Naylani is a unique alternative with a similar meaning, “heavenly” and “sky.”
5. Madisson: A variation on the popular 2000s name, Madison.
Baby Girl Name Trends of 2026
The SSA list tends to see more creative options for girl names versus the list of boy names (where William, John, and Michael have remained for decades). The list of girl names does have some century-long mainstays like Elizabeth. However, other names once considered old-fashioned, like Sophia/Sofia, Evelyn, and Isabella, have moved into the Top 10 list of baby girl names.
Additionally, nature-inspired names like Lily, Ivy, Hazel, and Willow are among the Top 50 most popular girl names. As well as colorful girl names like Scarlett and Violet. Another notable newer trend? Girl names that evoke strength. Ailany, a Hawaiian name meaning “chief,” and its many spelling variations are all on the list this year. Additionally, another rising boy name for girls, Scottie, was even used by celebrity parents Elsie Hewitt and Pete Davidson in December 2025.
About the SSA Most Popular Baby Names List
Every year, the Social Security Administration releases its list of the most popular boy and girl names of the year. This list is compiled from birth certificates and Social Security applications data from the previous year.
The SSA baby name list is usually released on the Friday before Mother’s Day. You can also search through the whole SSA database for name data over the last 100+ years. You can search for name popularity by state, decade, and even see a name’s popularity changes over time.
The Top 1,000 Most Popular Baby Girl Names
- Olivia
- Charlotte
- Emma
- Amelia
- Sophia
- Mia
- Isabella
- Evelyn
- Sofia
- Eliana
- Ava
- Eleanor
- Violet
- Ailany
- Aurora
- Harper
- Elizabeth
- Lily
- Camila
- Nora
- Hazel
- Penelope
- Chloe
- Ellie
- Lucy
- Aria
- Luna
- Isla
- Ella
- Lainey
- Zoe
- Scarlett
- Gianna
- Emily
- Valentina
- Layla
- Avery
- Grace
- Ivy
- Madison
- Abigail
- Elena
- Mila
- Willow
- Emilia
- Nova
- Naomi
- Riley
- Eloise
- Sadie
- Delilah
- Stella
- Josephine
- Victoria
- Sophie
- Hannah
- Lillian
- Leah
- Adeline
- Leilani
- Iris
- Maya
- Clara
- Ruby
- Alice
- Genesis
- Paisley
- Claire
- Zoey
- Eden
- Madelyn
- Vivian
- Millie
- Emery
- Daisy
- Maeve
- Ayla
- Liliana
- Melody
- Lyla
- Madeline
- Josie
- Lucia
- Addison
- Kennedy
- Audrey
- Maria
- Autumn
- Natalie
- Sarah
- Everly
- Lydia
- Kinsley
- Sienna
- Jade
- Caroline
- Quinn
- Amara
- Georgia
- Juniper
- Aaliyah
- Margot
- Allison
- Hailey
- Gabriella
- Parker
- Anna
- Cecilia
- Athena
- Juliette
- Catalina
- Margaret
- Cora
- Rose
- Eliza
- Raelynn
- Alaia
- Brooklyn
- Esther
- Hallie
- Hadley
- Emerson
- Elsie
- Magnolia
- Mary
- Scottie
- Valerie
- Ariana
- Serenity
- Alina
- Julia
- Amira
- Charlie
- Eva
- Savannah
- Bella
- Rylee
- Emersyn
- Elliana
- Alana
- Sloane
- Melanie
- Brielle
- Natalia
- Remi
- Aubrey
- Evangeline
- Genevieve
- Kehlani
- June
- Samantha
- Summer
- Oaklynn
- Ember
- Piper
- Oakley
- Phoebe
- Arya
- Wrenley
- Sage
- Alani
- Valeria
- Anastasia
- Ashley
- Nevaeh
- Isabelle
- Skylar
- Ailani
- Blair
- Gemma
- Rosalie
- Vivienne
- Ruth
- Ariella
- Callie
- Freya
- Isabel
- Daphne
- Lilah
- Amaya
- Sutton
- Annie
- Ximena
- Adalynn
- Kaylani
- Katherine
- Lila
- Celeste
- Tatum
- Haven
- Blakely
- Reese
- Kaia
- Everleigh
- Alora
- Molly
- Olive
- Sara
- Peyton
- Lia
- Mabel
- Noelle
- Stevie
- Kylie
- Vera
- Jasmine
- Celine
- Adaline
- Bailey
- Myla
- Aitana
- Zara
- Arabella
- Lennon
- Dahlia
- Selah
- Saylor
- Elianna
- Ada
- River
- Jane
- Brianna
- Elise
- Alaina
- Presley
- Noa
- Gracie
- Mackenzie
- Kiara
- Rory
- Wren
- Palmer
- Maisie
- Arianna
- Andrea
- Nyla
- Alexandra
- Cataleya
- Lucille
- Camille
- Collins
- Delaney
- Brynlee
- Diana
- Ana
- Miriam
- Amora
- Reagan
- Rowan
- Rachel
- Rosemary
- Lilly
- Kailani
- Faith
- Kaylee
- Juliana
- Amy
- Journee
- Leila
- Adalyn
- Mariana
- Norah
- Aliyah
- Ophelia
- Talia
- Aspen
- Elaina
- Selena
- Arleth
- Evie
- Nayeli
- Khloe
- Luciana
- Juliet
- Lola
- Harmony
- Lilith
- Azalea
- Lena
- Alanna
- Shiloh
- Sylvie
- Rosie
- Antonella
- Julieta
- Meadow
- Gia
- Milani
- Adelaide
- Aurelia
- Sawyer
- Poppy
- Aylani
- Maggie
- Blake
- Dakota
- Leia
- Esme
- Elowyn
- Sylvia
- Evelynn
- Daniela
- Kimberly
- Adelina
- Elaine
- Joanna
- Francesca
- Octavia
- Harlow
- Elodie
- Tessa
- Morgan
- Brooke
- Catherine
- Amina
- Colette
- Gabriela
- Frances
- Madisson
- Samara
- Sabrina
- Marley
- Kali
- Nina
- Serena
- Alessia
- Navy
- Kendall
- Zuri
- Fatima
- Viviana
- Alayna
- Lorelai
- Hattie
- Mira
- Anaya
- Aisha
- Miley
- Emory
- Heidi
- Teagan
- Leighton
- Annabelle
- Ryleigh
- Aylin
- Paige
- Angelina
- Sydney
- Malia
- Rebecca
- Maryam
- Hope
- Thea
- Elora
- Adelyn
- Ariel
- Kamila
- Wrenlee
- Itzel
- Gwendolyn
- Camilla
- Briella
- Helena
- Kayla
- Matilda
- Adriana
- Ariyah
- Alaya
- Raya
- Adhara
- Jordyn
- Mallory
- Esmeralda
- Malani
- Anya
- Astrid
- Vanessa
- Ivory
- Laura
- Amari
- Demi
- Giselle
- Nicole
- Blaire
- Kira
- Liana
- Kalani
- Londyn
- Carmen
- Sunny
- Florence
- Kaliyah
- Jocelyn
- Danna
- Regina
- Bonnie
- Murphy
- Julianna
- Melany
- Briar
- Lauren
- Logan
- Taylor
- Raven
- Carolina
- Lana
- Brynn
- Angela
- Annalise
- Mckenna
- Journey
- Alayah
- Laila
- Nalani
- Finley
- Holly
- Charlee
- Harley
- Joy
- Melissa
- Dorothy
- Willa
- Opal
- Marceline
- Sarai
- Winter
- Veronica
- Trinity
- Leona
- Katalina
- London
- Dream
- Maia
- Vienna
- Lyra
- Salem
- Hayden
- Macie
- Maddison
- Payton
- Lorelei
- Gracelynn
- Alessandra
- Mya
- Emmy
- Lilliana
- Adelynn
- Mariah
- Alma
- Zariah
- Calliope
- Reign
- Alyssa
- Carter
- Madeleine
- Clementine
- Wynter
- Elisa
- Kataleya
- Alicia
- Elle
- Helen
- Xiomara
- Madilyn
- Michelle
- Gracelyn
- Monroe
- Daniella
- Meredith
- Fiona
- Jaylani
- Maren
- Felicity
- Alexandria
- Winnie
- Alison
- Camryn
- Rylie
- Haisley
- Saige
- Renata
- Anahi
- Ainsley
- Alivia
- Aniyah
- Arielle
- Cameron
- Brooklynn
- Aubree
- Amirah
- Kora
- Miracle
- Amanda
- Arlette
- Solana
- Charli
- Maxine
- Lakelynn
- Edith
- Bianca
- Mae
- Raelyn
- Emely
- Nylah
- Mariam
- Raegan
- Yara
- Beatrice
- Estella
- Scarlet
- Alisson
- Hanna
- Remington
- Analeia
- Faye
- Louise
- Clover
- Jream
- Eve
- Amber
- Jovie
- Kate
- Marlowe
- Madelynn
- Iyla
- Virginia
- Amoura
- Lottie
- Cecelia
- Jayla
- Romina
- Skye
- Nellie
- Phoenix
- Oaklee
- Marlee
- Jazlyn
- Daleyza
- Lenora
- Zahra
- Cassidy
- April
- Heaven
- Priscilla
- Everlee
- Angel
- Capri
- Kyomi
- Danielle
- Holland
- Fernanda
- Frankie
- Emerie
- Alexis
- Amaia
- Kamryn
- Stephanie
- Jacqueline
- Margo
- Lilian
- Mavis
- Armani
- Della
- Izabella
- Nadia
- Amalia
- Ivanna
- Makayla
- Allie
- Hadassah
- Miller
- Lina
- Estelle
- Cali
- Sevyn
- Mckenzie
- Cleo
- Jimena
- Imani
- Kyla
- Kailany
- Reina
- Noemi
- Jordan
- Lylah
- Jennifer
- Alia
- Chaya
- Mara
- Marigold
- Meilani
- Paris
- Makenna
- Reyna
- Avianna
- Halle
- Mina
- Tiana
- Elliott
- Seraphina
- Emelia
- Marina
- Aliana
- Alejandra
- Mylah
- Loretta
- Flora
- Brinley
- Rosalia
- Siena
- Leyla
- Estrella
- Halo
- Ari
- Ariya
- Sierra
- Campbell
- Marie
- Anne
- Amiyah
- Goldie
- Keira
- Selene
- Noah
- Sariyah
- Maliyah
- Winona
- Lexi
- Rivka
- Azariah
- Cassandra
- Andi
- Gabrielle
- Indie
- Destiny
- Ariah
- Oaklyn
- Azaria
- Rhea
- Lyric
- Violeta
- Arlet
- Ellianna
- Aya
- Zariyah
- Katie
- Galilea
- Thalia
- Shelby
- Andie
- Irene
- Alara
- Rosa
- Eileen
- Gloria
- Miranda
- Aleena
- Hana
- Noor
- Melina
- Briana
- Legacy
- Myra
- Isabela
- Jessica
- Jolene
- Marisol
- Oakleigh
- Paislee
- Birdie
- Skyler
- Yaretzi
- Lakelyn
- Laney
- Aliza
- Lillie
- Whitley
- Amani
- Jenna
- Alondra
- Rosalina
- Ellis
- Coraline
- Sasha
- Wrenleigh
- Chana
- Dallas
- Emberly
- Georgina
- Khaleesi
- Billie
- Kinley
- Lara
- Baylor
- Emmie
- Leilany
- Louisa
- Romy
- Rowyn
- Makenzie
- Averie
- Nia
- Merritt
- Robin
- Angie
- Drew
- Alena
- Angelica
- Kennedi
- Jazmin
- Analia
- Leslie
- Martha
- Mckinley
- Ryan
- Dayana
- Lennox
- Ila
- Karsyn
- Macy
- Remy
- Sol
- Samira
- Bridget
- Gwen
- Theodora
- Keilani
- Bristol
- Kathryn
- Iliana
- Abby
- Taytum
- Ramona
- Laurel
- Persephone
- Kenzie
- Monica
- Lacey
- Veda
- Penny
- Emerald
- Kensley
- Kiana
- Valery
- Maisy
- Araceli
- Dani
- Mikayla
- Davina
- Karina
- Adele
- Bethany
- Milan
- Amaris
- Rynlee
- Kaeli
- Lettie
- Soleil
- Kenna
- Charley
- Marilyn
- Neriah
- Xyla
- Elina
- Kiyomi
- Azari
- Keziah
- Indy
- Laylani
- Christina
- Dulce
- Freyja
- Maci
- Celia
- Malaya
- Inaya
- Pearl
- Evelina
- Fallon
- Luella
- Ruthie
- Royalty
- Janiyah
- Paulina
- Belen
- Journi
- Ocean
- Elouise
- Emiliana
- Judith
- Klarity
- Alaiya
- Paloma
- Yareli
- Cielo
- Rayna
- Bellamy
- Elowen
- Aileen
- Dalia
- Janelle
- Kaitlyn
- Karla
- Kayleigh
- Adley
- Avani
- Brynleigh
- Dylan
- Treasure
- Zainab
- Charleigh
- Milana
- Naya
- Kelsey
- Quincy
- Jenesis
- Aura
- Romi
- Julietta
- Livia
- Keyla
- Nola
- Aliya
- Jessie
- Nyomi
- Promise
- Aila
- Amelie
- Celina
- Kyra
- Layan
- Zelda
- Erin
- Ezra
- Zaniyah
- Denver
- Braelynn
- Jaliyah
- Luz
- Sloan
- Amayah
- Hunter
- Michaela
- Elani
- Ensley
- Honey
- Tara
- Lea
- Kendra
- Magdalena
- Chelsea
- Kelly
- Anaiah
- Indigo
- Paula
- Nala
- Darcy
- Jamie
- Lilia
- Madilynn
- Haley
- Arisbeth
- Ayleen
- Deborah
- Eleanora
- Jemma
- Mercy
- Soraya
- Aspyn
- Ayah
- Johanna
- Adrianna
- Julie
- Marianna
- Kahlani
- Kylee
- Lyanna
- Giovanna
- Siya
- Tiffany
- Colbie
- Emi
- Odette
- Rebekah
- Tilly
- Vada
- Aviana
- Berkley
- Megan
- Leanna
- Lilianna
- Anais
- Mariel
- Violette
- Chandler
- Liv
- Naylani
- Ainara
- Guinevere
- Liora
- Maizie
- Linda
- Luisa
- Khalani
- Kollyns
- Rayne
- Nataly
- Greta
- Micah
- Stormi
- Teresa
- Bennett
- Anayah
- Eliora
- Giuliana
- Raina
- Sarahi
- Elyse
- Zaylee
- Cheyenne
- Giana
- Emmeline
- Winifred
- Clare
- Elisabeth
- Ivey
- Maddie
- Brittany
- Emberlynn
- Etta
- Hadlee
- Ailanny
- Aleia
- Kallie
- Landry
- Kimber
- Salma
- Alianna
- Ayra
- Tallulah
- Darla
- Elara
- Mariella
- Saanvi
- Zaria
- Madalyn
- Sunday
- Marcella
- Sky
- Milena
- Sariah
- Yuna
- Zyla
- Rosalee
- Anika
- Kinslee
- Love
- Malaysia
- Yasmin
- Aadhya
- Ainhoa
- August
- Bexley
- Amiri
- Aleah
- Mazie
- Nancy
- Barbara
- Zora
- Elia
- Leylani
- Ashlyn
- Jianna
- Tru
- Arden
- Marleigh
- Novalee
- Kori
- Roselyn
- Ashlynn
- Cordelia
- Khadija
- Akira
- Arely
- Kamiyah
- Skyla
- Adalee
- Addilyn
- Karter
- Laken
- Lisa
- Brylee
- Jazmine
- Kaiya
- Annika
- Jaslyn
- Scout
- Simone
- Corinne
- Harmoni
Most Popular Girl Names FAQs
What is the most popular girl name of 2026?
Olivia is the most popular girl name of the year, for the seventh year in a row, according to the SSA. The name overtook Emma in 2019. However, using the “playground analysis,” which combines spellings, Sophia/Sofia could be considered the most popular girl name of 2026.
What are some of the least popular girl names in 2026?
Rare girl names toward the end of the SSA’s list that could follow 2026 trends like vintage names, virtue names, names ending in “a”, and long girl names include Cordelia, Annika, Tallulah, Mariella, Corinne, Nancy, Scout, and Love.
What is the fastest-rising girl name of 2026?
Klarity was the fastest-growing girls’ name in popularity, followed by the Hawaiian name Ailanny.
What are some alternatives to the most popular girl names of the year?
Love Olivia and Charlotte, but want a rarer pick? Olive and Sylvia, or Caroline and Margot, could be more unique alternatives to the year’s most popular names.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
