Looking for a girl’s name that feels right? Start with the names American parents chose most last year, then browse classic, short, nature-inspired, vintage, and place-inspired picks. Every name below includes its meaning and origin, so you can compare your favorites at a glance.
The 10 Most Popular Girl Names of 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) ranks baby names every year based on Social Security card applications. In its list for babies born in 2025, released in May 2026, Olivia held the No. 1 spot for girls. Charlotte ranked No. 2, and Eliana rounded out the top 10. The No. column below matches each name’s 2025 rank.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olivia | Olive tree | Latin |
| 2 | Charlotte | Free; feminine form of Charles | French |
| 3 | Emma | Whole, universal | Germanic |
| 4 | Amelia | Work, industrious | Germanic |
| 5 | Sophia | Wisdom | Greek |
| 6 | Mia | Mine; also a short form of Maria | Scandinavian, Italian |
| 7 | Isabella | Pledged to God | Hebrew, via Spanish and Italian |
| 8 | Evelyn | From the medieval name Aveline | English (Norman) |
| 9 | Sofia | Wisdom | Greek |
| 10 | Eliana | My God has answered | Hebrew |
Both Sophia and Sofia made the top 10. The SSA counts each spelling as a separate name, so if you love this name, expect to meet both versions on the playground. You can look up any name’s ranking history on the SSA baby names site.
Names From the 2025 Fastest-Rising List
The SSA also tracks which names climbed the most in a single year. For 2025, the fastest-rising girl names were Klarity, Rynlee, Ailanny, Naylani, and Madisson, with Klarity leading the list. Klarity is a creative spelling of the word “clarity,” and Madisson is a variant of Madison. Most of these names are modern creations or new spellings of familiar names, a sign that many parents want a name that feels both recognizable and distinctive. If that appeals to you, our list of rare and unique baby names has more ideas.
Timeless Girl Names
These names have been used for generations and still feel fresh today. For a longer list, see our classic baby names that never go out of style.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elizabeth | God is my oath | Hebrew |
| 2 | Margaret | Pearl | Greek |
| 3 | Catherine | Traditionally linked to “pure” | Greek |
| 4 | Grace | Grace, charm | Latin |
| 5 | Alice | Noble | Germanic |
| 6 | Clara | Bright, clear | Latin |
| 7 | Victoria | Victory | Latin |
| 8 | Lucy | Light | Latin |
| 9 | Anna | Grace, favor | Hebrew |
| 10 | Caroline | Free; feminine form of Charles | Germanic, via French |
| 11 | Audrey | Noble strength | Old English |
| 12 | Josephine | God will increase | Hebrew, via French |
| 13 | Julia | From a Roman family name | Latin |
| 14 | Eleanor | From the Old French name Aliénor | French |
| 15 | Rose | Rose (the flower) | Latin |
Short and Sweet Girl Names
One or two syllables, easy to spell, and hard to shorten into a nickname. You will find even more in our guide to short baby names.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy | The evergreen climbing plant | English |
| 2 | June | From the month, named for the goddess Juno | Latin |
| 3 | Nora | Short form of Honora, “honor” | Irish, Latin |
| 4 | Iris | Rainbow | Greek |
| 5 | Zoe | Life | Greek |
| 6 | Eve | Life | Hebrew |
| 7 | Ada | Noble | Germanic |
| 8 | Cora | Maiden | Greek |
| 9 | Esme | Esteemed | Old French |
| 10 | Jade | The green gemstone | Spanish |
| 11 | Ruth | Often said to mean “companion, friend” | Hebrew |
| 12 | Mae | Variant of May, the month | English |
Nature-Inspired Girl Names
Flowers, trees, and the sky remain a favorite source of girl names in the U.S.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willow | The willow tree | English |
| 2 | Juniper | The evergreen shrub | Latin |
| 3 | Aurora | Dawn | Latin |
| 4 | Luna | Moon | Latin |
| 5 | Daisy | The flower; “day’s eye” | Old English |
| 6 | Lily | The lily flower, a symbol of purity | English |
| 7 | Magnolia | The flowering tree | Latin (botanical) |
| 8 | Olive | Olive tree | Latin |
| 9 | Wren | The small songbird | English |
| 10 | Hazel | The hazel tree | English |
| 11 | Violet | The purple flower | Latin |
| 12 | Autumn | The fall season | Latin |
Vintage Girl Names Making a Comeback
Popular in the early 1900s, these names are being rediscovered by a new generation of parents.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mabel | Lovable | Latin |
| 2 | Florence | Flourishing, prosperous | Latin |
| 3 | Edith | Prosperous in war | Old English |
| 4 | Beatrice | She who brings happiness | Latin |
| 5 | Matilda | Strength in battle | Germanic |
| 6 | Frances | Frenchman; free one | Latin |
| 7 | Pearl | The gem | English |
| 8 | Vera | Faith (Russian); true (Latin) | Russian, Latin |
| 9 | Louisa | Famous warrior | Germanic |
| 10 | Opal | The gemstone; likely from a Sanskrit word for “precious stone” | Sanskrit, via Greek |
Girl Names Inspired by Places
Place names give a girl’s name a sense of story. Some honor a state or city that matters to your family, while others simply have a pretty sound. Many of these, like Virginia and Georgia, were personal names long before they were place names. For more ideas, browse our baby names inspired by American places.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah | A grassy plain; also the Georgia city | Spanish, from Taíno |
| 2 | Georgia | Farmer; feminine form of George | Greek |
| 3 | Virginia | From the Roman family name Verginius | Latin |
| 4 | Carolina | Feminine form of Charles, “free” | Germanic, via Italian |
| 5 | Sienna | From the Italian city of Siena; a reddish-brown color | Italian |
| 6 | Brooklyn | The New York City borough, from the Dutch town Breukelen | Dutch, via English |
| 7 | London | The English capital; origin of the place name is uncertain | English |
| 8 | Adelaide | Noble kind; also a city in Australia | Germanic |
| 9 | Aspen | The aspen tree; also the Colorado town | English |
| 10 | Dakota | Friend, ally; the name of a Sioux people | Dakota (Sioux) |
Girl Names With Nickname Potential
A longer formal name with built-in nicknames gives your daughter options as she grows. She can be Thea on the playground and Theodora on her diploma. Several names in the SSA top 10 work this way too: Charlotte can become Charlie or Lottie, and Isabella can become Bella or Izzy.
| No. | Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandra | Defender of the people; nicknames Alex, Lexi, Sasha | Greek |
| 2 | Gabriella | God is my strength; nicknames Gabby, Ella | Hebrew, via Italian |
| 3 | Theodora | Gift of God; nicknames Thea, Teddy, Dora | Greek |
| 4 | Penelope | Of uncertain meaning; the faithful wife of Odysseus; nicknames Penny, Nell | Greek |
| 5 | Wilhelmina | Resolute protector; nicknames Willa, Mina, Billie | Germanic |
| 6 | Genevieve | Of uncertain origin, possibly Celtic; nicknames Gen, Evie | French |
| 7 | Valentina | Strong, healthy; nicknames Val, Tina | Latin |
| 8 | Harriet | Ruler of the home; nickname Hattie | Germanic, via English |
How Girl Name Trends Have Changed
A century ago, American girls were most often given traditional names like Mary, Dorothy, Helen, and Margaret. Many families chose names of saints, queens, or relatives, and the same few names were shared by large numbers of girls.
Over the 20th century, tastes moved toward softer and more modern-sounding names. Names like Jennifer, Jessica, and Ashley became very common in later decades, then gradually gave way to new favorites.
Today, several trends stand out. Names ending in a vowel sound, like Olivia, Amelia, and Mia, fill the top 10. Vintage names such as Hazel, Josephine, and Mabel are back after decades out of fashion. Nature names are widely used, and parents increasingly look for creative spellings, as the fastest-rising list shows. Parents also draw from a much wider range of names than in the past, so a classroom today is likely to include a greater variety of names.
Tips for Choosing a Girl’s Name
- Say it out loud with your last name, and try the full name with a middle name.
- Check the initials and any obvious nicknames.
- Look at popularity if you want to know how many classmates might share the name. A top-10 name will be common; a name ranked in the hundreds will feel more distinctive.
- Think long term. A name should suit a baby, a teenager, and an adult.
Narrowed it down to two or three names? Try using each one at home for a few days. The name that still feels right after a week is often the one.
Want more ideas? Read our practical tips for choosing a baby name, or see the most popular baby boy names in the U.S. if you are still waiting to find out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Olivia was the most popular girl name in the U.S. for babies born in 2025, according to the Social Security Administration.
According to the SSA, the fastest-rising girl names for 2025 were Klarity, Rynlee, Ailanny, Naylani, and Madisson.
Names like Theodora (Thea, Teddy), Alexandra (Alex, Lexi), Gabriella (Gabby, Ella), and Charlotte (Charlie, Lottie) give your daughter both a formal name and a short everyday option.
No. The SSA ranks each spelling separately, which is why Sophia (No. 5) and Sofia (No. 9) both appear in the 2025 top 10.
Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.