Between space-themed names such as Luna and Nova, and the re-emergence of old-fashioned names including Dawson and Eleanor, parents of this generation — without a doubt — are getting more creative with baby names. Of all the unique, peculiar, and classic names out there, 50 boy and girl names in particular are becoming more prevalent at an astonishing rate.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Social Security Administration to determine which boy and girl names are on the rise in popularity. It’s important to note that no name can accurately be deemed the fastest growing in popularity due to the extremely high variation and number of names in the world. We looked at the 200 most popular boy names and 200 most popular girl names in 2017 and then reviewed the change in popularity of all of those names from 2013 and 2017.
Celebrities tend to have a relatively strong influence on baby names, just as they do on hairstyle, clothing, and diet trends. For example, the girl name Hazel went from the 157th most popular girl name in 2013 to the 43rd most popular by 2017. Actors Emily Blunt and John Krasinski chose to name their first daughter Hazel in 2014. In that same year, Hazel was the 105th most popular name for a girl, and by 2015 it broke through the top 100 barrier, becoming the 63rd most popular girl name in the country. Coincidence? We think not.
Click here to see America’s fastest growing first names for girls.
Click here to see America’s fastest growing first names for boys.
Inspiration for other out-of-the-ordinary names may be attributable to fictional characters from specific television shows or movies. Take Arya as an example. Arya was the 278th most popular name for girls in 2013, but it skyrocketed to the 135th most popular girl name by 2017. During this time, the popular HBO series, “Game of Thrones,” was taking off, and one of the strong female characters in the series is named Arya Stark.
Of course, parents these days are re-introducing names that have since dwindled in popularity over time, or have even gone on long hiatuses. It’s said that it takes about 100 years for a name to become trendy again, and the boy name Dawson is one example. The name Dawson appeared in the late 19th century and fell off the charts by 1912. However, the old-fashioned name has been slowly making a comeback. In 2017, Dawson was the 196th most popular boy name, up from the 320th most popular name for boys in 2013.
To identify America’s fastest growing first names, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the change in popularity of all boy and girl names from 2013 and 2017. We compared boy and girl names, separately, by calculating the annual average change in ranking for each name. These names have the largest upward growth in ranking. We only considered names in the top 200 most popular names in 2017. All data was obtained from the Social Security Administration, which publishes data for names with five or more occurrences. We did not account for similar spellings of same-sounding names. To be considered a name’s popularity ranking needed to have increased by at least 20 places from 2013 and 2017.
25. Eloise
> Girls named Eloise in 2013: 954 (336th most popular)
> Girls named Eloise in 2017: 1,621 (190th most popular)
The name Eloise went from the 336th most popular girl name in 2013 to the 190th most popular girl name in 2017 — the 25th largest change in rank. Parents today are making efforts to bring old-fashioned names back into style, and Eloise is just one example of a name that is making a comeback. The inspiration behind the name’s growing popularity may be linked to “Eloise,” a book about a 6-year-old girl that wreaks havoc in The Plaza, a 5-star hotel in New York City. Though it was published in 1955, the book is still adored by many today.
[in-text-ad]
24. Paisley
> Girls named Paisley in 2013: 3,600 (80th most popular)
> Girls named Paisley in 2017: 4,927 (45th most popular)
The girl name Paisley is on the rise. In 2013, Paisley was the 80th most popular name among newborn girls. By 2017, it became the 45th most popular. Paisley is an intricate teardrop-shaped symbol and design that is believed to have originated in ancient Babylon in 1700 B.C.
23. Leilani
> Girls named Leilani in 2013: 1,390 (231st most popular)
> Girls named Leilani in 2017: 2,264 (129th most popular)
The popularity of the name Leilani went from 231st place in 2013 to 129th place in 2017 — a jump of just over 100 places, making it the 23rd largest change in rank. One reason the name Leilani could be gaining popularity is because of the increasing interest in names with a double “L” sound. Aside from Leilani, names like Layla, Lily, and Liliana have been predicted to be more popular by 2019. Or maybe parents are drawn to the meaning and origin of the name. Leilani has Hawaiian roots meaning “heavenly flowers” or “royal child.”
22. Riley
> Girls named Riley in 2013: 4,931 (45th most popular)
> Girls named Riley in 2017: 6,343 (25th most popular)
Approximately 0.4% of all girls born in the U.S. in 2017 were named Riley, a larger share than the 0.3% of girls nationwide who were given the name in 2013. In 2016, 7,131 baby girls were given the name Riley, more than any other year in the past half decade. Unisex names appear to be rising in popularity, especially for girls, which could explain why the name Riley is becoming more prevalent.
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Finley
> Girls named Finley in 2013: 1,093 (292nd most popular)
> Girls named Finley in 2017: 1,859 (159th most popular)
The popularity of the name Finley has increased quite dramatically for girls over the past five years. In 2013, Finley was the 292nd most popular name for a girl, compared with the the rank of 159th most popular in 2017. As is often the case with popular names, Finley has roots in literature. MacBeth’s father was named Finlay in Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth”. However, today the name is growing faster as a girl name than a boy name.
20. Willow
> Girls named Willow in 2013: 2,073 (155th most popular)
> Girls named Willow in 2017: 3,529 (81st most popular)
Only 2,073 baby girls were named Willow in 2013, far less than the 3,529 girls that were given the same name in 2017. It’s likely Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s decision to name their daughter Willow, who is now 17, gave a boost to the name for baby girls. In 2017, 0.21% of all baby girls born were named Willow, up from 0.12% in 2013.
[in-text-ad]
19. Elena
> Girls named Elena in 2013: 2,389 (132nd most popular)
> Girls named Elena in 2017: 3,863 (67th most popular)
The name Elena is on the rise. Elena was the 132nd most popular girl name in the country in 2013 and by 2017 it climbed to the 67th most popular name for girls, the 19th largest change in rank. One theory as to why the name Elena has increased in popularity over the years is the immense popularity of the young adult drama/horror series, “The Vampire Diaries.” The main protagonist in the television series is named Elena Gilbert
18. Aria
> Girls named Aria in 2013: 5,111 (41st most popular)
> Girls named Aria in 2017: 7,132 (20th most popular)
The name Aria is one of the fastest growing girl names in the United States. Just over 5,000 girls were given the name in 2013, compared to more than 7,000 in 2017. Aria, which means “air” in Italian, was the 20th most popular name in 2017. Aria is also the name of one of the female protagonists in the television series, “Pretty Little Liars.”
17. Arya
> Girls named Arya in 2013: 1,138 (278th most popular)
> Girls named Arya in 2017: 2,156 (135th most popular)
The name Arya is the 17th fastest growing first name for girls. Only 0.13% of baby girls born in 2017 were given the name, however, that’s nearly double the share of girls that were given the name in 2013. The name’s rise in popularity could be largely attributable to the character Arya Stark in the widely popular HBO fantasy-drama series “Game of Thrones,” which first aired in 2011.
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Evelyn
> Girls named Evelyn in 2013: 7,659 (20th most popular)
> Girls named Evelyn in 2017: 10,675 (9th most popular)
Evelyn is one of the most popular girl names in the country. Only 7,659 baby girls were given the name Evelyn in 2013, making it the 20th most popular girl name at that time. By 2017, just over 3,000 more baby girls were named Evelyn, which bumped it up the in the ranks as the 9th most popular name.
15. Raelynn
> Girls named Raelynn in 2013: 1,119 (283rd most popular)
> Girls named Raelynn in 2017: 2,437 (124th most popular)
The popularity of this name went from 283rd most popular in 2013 to 124th place in 2017, the 15th largest change in rank. Only 0.06% of baby girls were given the name Raelynn in 2013, considerably less than the 0.14% of baby girls named Raelynn in 2017. It’s possible that the debut of new country singer RaeLynn’s album “Wildhorse” in early 2017 gave the name a boost in popularity.
[in-text-ad]
14. Scarlett
> Girls named Scarlett in 2013: 5,050 (42nd most popular)
> Girls named Scarlett in 2017: 7,679 (18th most popular)
Scarlett went from the 42nd most popular girl name in 2013 to the 18th most popular in 2017. While actress Scarlett Johansson may be the major inspiration for the name’s growing popularity, Scarlett has deeper roots in American literature and cinema. Scarlett O’Hara is the protagonist in the 1936 novel “Gone With the Wind,” and the 1939 film.
13. Penelope
> Girls named Penelope in 2013: 4,289 (56th most popular)
> Girls named Penelope in 2017: 6,639 (24th most popular)
Penelope’s popularity soared from the 56th most popular girl name in 2013 to the 24th most popular girl name in 2017, the 13th largest change in rank of any girl name. Actress Penélope Cruz may have helped boost the name’s popularity over the years. Of course, the most eminent Penelope will forever be Odysseus’s wife in Homer’s epic, “The Odyssey.”
12. Mila
> Girls named Mila in 2013: 3,677 (78th most popular)
> Girls named Mila in 2017: 5,941 (30th most popular)
Only 3,677 baby girls were given the name Mila in 2013, far fewer than the near 6,000 girls that were named Mila last year. The name Mila has likely grown in popularity from Ukraine-born actress Mila Kunis, whose full first name is Milena. In the Russian language, Mila means “dear one” and in Slavic languages it means “hardworking” and “industrious.”
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Kinsley
> Girls named Kinsley in 2013: 1,976 (161st most popular)
> Girls named Kinsley in 2017: 4,035 (59th most popular)
About a quarter of a percent of female babies born in 2017 were given the name Kinsley, up from 0.11% in 2013. The name Kinsley was not even remotely popular until 2010. Chance the Rapper may have had something to do with Kinsley’s growing popularity by naming his daughter Kensli in 2015.
10. Emilia
> Girls named Emilia in 2013: 1,562 (205th most popular)
> Girls named Emilia in 2017: 3,581 (74th most popular)
Emilia is the 10th fastest growing girl name. In 2013, Emilia was the 205th most popular girl name and by 2017 it was the 74th most popular. Emilia’s rise in popularity may come from British actress Emilia Clarke who plays Daenerys Targaryen in the acclaimed HBO-series, “Game of Thrones.”
[in-text-ad]
9. Aurora
> Girls named Aurora in 2013: 2,127 (146th most popular)
> Girls named Aurora in 2017: 4,573 (51st most popular)
The once somewhat unusual name Aurora is on the rise and at a rapid pace. Aurora ranked as the 146th most popular name in 2013 and rose to the 51st most popular name by 2017. Aurora is both a city in Colorado and a word used to describe a natural electrical phenomenon that creates streamers of red or green light in the sky.
8. Nora
> Girls named Nora in 2013: 3,507 (82nd most popular)
> Girls named Nora in 2017: 6,036 (28th most popular)
Only 3,507 girl babies were given the name Nora in 2013, far less than the 6,036 that were given the name in 2017. Nora is believed to have been derived from the name Eleanor or the Latin name Honora.
7. Eleanor
> Girls named Eleanor in 2013: 3,006 (106th most popular)
> Girls named Eleanor in 2017: 5,519 (35th most popular)
The name Eleanor has greatly increased in popularity in the past five years. In 2013, this old-fashioned name was the 106th most popular girl name. By 2017, Eleanor’s popularity jumped the ranks considerably, becoming the 35th most popular girl name. One source says there is a notable trend underway in which parents appear to be choosing names that start with an “E” for their girls. Of course, there are a handful of reputable figures in history that had this name, including Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful women in Medieval Western Europe, and, American First Lady and feminist icon Eleanor Roosevelt.
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Hazel
> Girls named Hazel in 2013: 2,053 (157th most popular)
> Girls named Hazel in 2017: 5,004 (43rd most popular)
Hazel was not very popular in 2013, but by 2017 it became the 43rd most popular girl name. More often that not, celebrities seem to pave the way for upcoming naming trends, and the rise in popularity of the name Hazel may be attributable to two couples in Hollywood: actress Julia Roberts and cinematographer Daniel Moder and actors Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, each have a daughter named Hazel.
5. Adeline
> Girls named Adeline in 2013: 1,377 (233rd most popular)
> Girls named Adeline in 2017: 3,902 (64th most popular)
Adeline is the fifth fastest growing female name in America. Only 0.08% of baby girls born in 2013 were given the name Adeline, far fewer than the 0.23% of newborn girls that were named Adeline in 2017. Adeline has French origins, meaning “noble” and “nobility.”
[in-text-ad]
4. Everly
> Girls named Everly in 2013: 816 (379th most popular)
> Girls named Everly in 2017: 3,505 (82nd most popular)
Only 816 baby girls were named Everly in 2013, much fewer than the 3,505 newborn girls that were given the name in 2017. Inspiration for the name more than likely comes from Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. The actors named their daughter Everly in 2013, and by 2014 the popularity of the name jumped from the 379th most popular girl name to the 178th most popular.
3. Luna
> Girls named Luna in 2013: 1,743 (184th most popular)
> Girls named Luna in 2017: 5,320 (37th most popular)
Celebrities are known for choosing unusual names for their children. Model Chrissy Teigen and singer-songwriter John Legend presumably contributed to the popularity of this girl name after they named their newborn daughter Luna in 2016. Luna went from being the 77th most popular girl name in 2016 to the 37th most popular in 2017.
2. Nova
> Girls named Nova in 2013: 563 (529th most popular)
> Girls named Nova in 2017: 3,026 (95th most popular)
Parents in this day and age are spicing up baby names, and one relatively new trend is the emergence of space-themed names. Nova is the second-fastest growing first name for girls, jumping to 3,016 girls given the name in 2017 from just 563 in 2013. Nova is Latin for “newly visible star or nebula.”
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Adaline
> Girls named Adaline in 2013: 152 (1,467th most popular)
> Girls named Adaline in 2017: 1,673 (180th most popular)
“Age of Adaline” the 2015 fantasy-drama film starring Blake Lively likely spurred the resurgence of this old-time female name. Adaline’s popularity jumped from 1,467th most popular name for baby girls to 180th, the largest change in rank among all girl names.
25. Kai
> Boys named Kai in 2013: 1,977 (199th most popular)
> Boys named Kai in 2017: 3,121 (126th most popular)
Popularity of the name Kai went from the 199th most popular boy name in 2013 to the 126th most popular boy name in 2017. The name Kai is Hawaiian for “sea.”
[in-text-ad]
24. Axel
> Boys named Axel in 2013: 2,427 (167th most popular)
> Boys named Axel in 2017: 3,764 (105th most popular)
Only 2,427 baby boys were named Axel in 2013 compared with the 3,764 boys that were given the name in 2017. Axel has German origins and means “father of peace.” The name Axel gained some exposure from the character Axl Heck in the family show, “The Middle.”
23. Dawson
> Boys named Dawson in 2013: 1,033 (320th most popular)
> Boys named Dawson in 2017: 2,004 (196th most popular)
The name Dawson has made a considerable leap in popularity over the past five years. In 2013, Dawson was the 320th most popular boy name and by 2017, it became the 196th most popular name. The name is said to have emerged at cusp of the 20th century but disappeared by 1912 and did not make a comeback until 1994. The drama series “Dawson’s Creek,” which aired from 1998-2003, likely piqued the interest of many parents of that decade. In 1999, one year after “Dawson’s Creek” debuted, Dawson was the 136th most popular boy name.
22. August
> Boys named August in 2013: 1,042 (319th most popular)
> Boys named August in 2017: 2,041 (191st most popular)
The name August is the 22nd fastest growing first name for boys. About 1,000 more boys were named August in 2017 than in 2013, an increase of 128 places on the popularity ranking. August has Latin roots meaning “great” or “magnificent.” Celebrities Mariska Hargitay, Lena Olin, Dave Matthews, and Jeanne Tripplehorn have sons named August and have likely given other parents inspiration to name their boys August.
[in-text-ad-2]
Indian child wear eyeglass21. Messiah
> Boys named Messiah in 2013: 973 (334th most popular)
> Boys named Messiah in 2017: 1,970 (198th most popular)
In previous years, Messiah has not been considered a go-to baby boy name. However, in the past five years the popularity of Messiah has increased considerably. Fewer than 1,000 of all baby boys born in 2013 were names Messiah, compared with the nearly 2,000 baby boys that were given the name in 2017. Messiah is Hebrew biblical name meaning “anointed.”
20. Beau
> Boys named Beau in 2013: 1,300 (271st most popular)
> Boys named Beau in 2017: 2,493 (157th most popular)
Roughly 2,500 baby boys were given this flirtatious name in 2017, much more than the 1,300 who were given the same name in 2013. In English, “beau” typically means boyfriend or male sweetheart or lover. The name Beau, however, has French roots and means “beautiful.”
[in-text-ad]
19. Karter
> Boys named Karter in 2013: 1,178 (299th most popular)
> Boys named Karter in 2017: 2,273 (173rd most popular)
The name Karter has gained popularity over the past five years. In 2013, Karter was the 299th most popular boy name and by 2017, it was the 173rd most popular boy name. The popularity of the name dipped in 2016, clocking in at the 187th most popular boy name, up four places from the year prior.
18. Asher
> Boys named Asher in 2013: 3,712 (104th most popular)
> Boys named Asher in 2017: 5,991 (59th most popular)
The name Asher is has grown considerably in popularity since 2013. In 2013, Asher was the 104th most popular boy name and by 2017, it became the 59th most popular name for boys, the 18th largest change in rank. The biblical name took a century long hiatus from the top 1,000 popular names before re-emerging in the 1990s.
17. Waylon
> Boys named Waylon in 2013: 1,200 (290th most popular)
> Boys named Waylon in 2017: 2,416 (162nd most popular)
Just 1,200 boys born in 2013 were named Waylon. The name was popularized by the late country music star Waylon Jennings, who died in 2002. By 2017, 2,416 newborn boys were given the name.
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Jameson
> Boys named Jameson in 2013: 2,230 (181st most popular)
> Boys named Jameson in 2017: 3,907 (100th most popular)
Jameson is perhaps best known as a brand of irish whiskey. Whether that is the inspiration for naming a baby boy is hard to say, but we do know that the name is on the rise for one reason or another. Popularity for the name Jameson increased from 181st most popular boy name to the 100th most popular boy name between 2013 and 2017.
15. Everett
> Boys named Everett in 2013: 2,146 (189th most popular)
> Boys named Everett in 2017: 3,766 (104th most popular)
Everett is the 15th fastest growing boy name in the country. The name has Anglo-Saxon roots and means “wild boar” and “strong.” Nearly 3,800 baby boys were named Everett in 2017, a considerable jump from the 2,146 baby boys that were given the same name in 2013.
[in-text-ad]
14. Leo
> Boys named Leo in 2013: 3,504 (112th most popular)
> Boys named Leo in 2017: 5,923 (61st most popular)
Of all the baby boys born in 2017, 5,923 were named Leo, up from 3,504 in 2013. It’s possible that the popular comedy series, “The Mindy Project” tipped off parents to naming their baby boy Leo. In the show, actress Mindy Kaling’s character has a son named Leo. Of course, actor Leonardo DiCaprio has often been referred to as Leo in the media.
13. Greyson
> Boys named Greyson in 2013: 2,646 (149th most popular)
> Boys named Greyson in 2017: 4,819 (80th most popular)
The name Greyson went from 149th most popular name in 2013 to the 80th most popular name in 2017 — the 13th largest change in rank among all boy names. As far as inspiration for name goes, it’s possible that Greyson Chance may have something to do with the name’s rise in popularity. Chance was the lucky 12-year-old that Ellen DeGeneres signed to her ElevenEleven label after his rendition of Lady Gaga’s hit song “Paparazzi” went viral in 2010.
12. Matteo
> Boys named Matteo in 2013: 797 (377th most popular)
> Boys named Matteo in 2017: 2,071 (187th most popular)
Matteo is one of the one of the fastest growing male first names in the United States. Not even 800 boys had the name in 2013. By 2017, 2,071 boys were named Matteo, the Italian version of Matthew, meaning “Gift of God.”
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Ezra
> Boys named Ezra in 2013: 2,747 (142nd most popular)
> Boys named Ezra in 2017: 5,290 (69th most popular)
The name Ezra is trending. Ezra went from being the 142nd most popular name in 2013 to the 69th most popular in 2017. It’s likely that Ezra Fitz, one of the main characters in the hit television series “Pretty Little Liars” helped spark the trend.
10. Sebastian
> Boys named Sebastian in 2013: 7,545 (46th most popular)
> Boys named Sebastian in 2017: 10,136 (22nd most popular)
In 2013, just over 7,500 baby boys were named Sebastian, much less than the 10,136 that were given the name in 2017. Sebastian is a Greek name and is probably most well-known from the crab character in the 1989 Disney film “The Little Mermaid.”
[in-text-ad]
9. Rowan
> Boys named Rowan in 2013: 1,195 (293rd most popular)
> Boys named Rowan in 2017: 2,827 (140th most popular)
Popularity of the name Rowan went from the 293rd most popular boy name in 2013 to the 140th most popular name for boys in 2017 — the ninth largest change in rank among all boy names. The name Rowan likely became more popular after the popular television show “Scandal” introduced the character, Rowan Pope in 2013.
8. Grayson
> Boys named Grayson in 2013: 5,551 (77th most popular)
> Boys named Grayson in 2017: 8,640 (34th most popular)
Of all the babies born in 2017, 8,640 were named Grayson, up from 5,551 in 2013, a more than 50% increase. Grayson was originally an English last name, meaning “son of a steward.”
7. Ezekiel
> Boys named Ezekiel in 2013: 2,187 (186th most popular)
> Boys named Ezekiel in 2017: 4,721 (82nd most popular)
Popularity of this biblical name went from 186th most popular name in 2013 to the 82nd most popular name in 2017. Ezekiel is a Hebrew term that means “strength of God.” The nickname for Ezekiel, Zeke, may be more recognizable. Running back for the Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliot may have helped popularized this name.
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Lincoln
> Boys named Lincoln in 2013: 4,033 (95th most popular)
> Boys named Lincoln in 2017: 8,146 (41st most popular)
The boy name Lincoln has increased tremendously in popularity since 2013. More than double the number of boys born in 2017 were named Lincoln than in 2013. Parents having been naming their children after Abraham Lincoln since his was in office in the late 19th century. Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” published in 2005, may have helped prompt the name to re-emerge. Of course, Steven Spielberg’s delivery of the book via his film “Lincoln” in 2012 may have had the largest impact on name’s most recent jump in popularity.
5. Rhett
> Boys named Rhett in 2013: 688 (425th most popular)
> Boys named Rhett in 2017: 2,188 (180th most popular)
Popularity of the name Rhett has grown considerably since 2013. In that year, only 688 newborn boys were given the name, significantly less than the 2,188 that were given the name in the last year. Country singer Rhett Akins may be responsible for the popularization of the boy name. Fun fact about the name Rhett — it means advice in Dutch.
[in-text-ad]
4. Mateo
> Boys named Mateo in 2013: 3,587 (109th most popular)
> Boys named Mateo in 2017: 7,726 (42nd most popular)
Mateo is the fourth fastest growing first name for boys. In 2017, 7,726 of all boys born were named Mateo, much more than the 3,587 of boys that were given the name in 2013. Mateo is the Spanish form of the name Matthew meaning “gift of God.” It’s very likely that the popularity of the name Mateo has increased so greatly in the past five years may be partially due to the rapidly growing Latino population in the U.S.
3. Theodore
> Boys named Theodore in 2013: 2,425 (168th most popular)
> Boys named Theodore in 2017: 5,911 (62nd most popular)
Over 3,000 more baby boys were given the name Theodore in 2017 than in 2013, which allowed for a considerable increase in rank. Theodore went from the 168th most popular boy name in 2013 to the 62nd most popular in 2017. The most renowned Theodore is 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore has Greek origins and means “gift of God.”
2. Maverick
> Boys named Maverick in 2013: 1,300 (270th most popular)
> Boys named Maverick in 2017: 4,702 (85th most popular)
Popularity of the name Maverick went from the 270th most popular boy name in 2013 to the 85th most popular boy name in 2017. Maverick has American origins and means, “independent, nonconformist.” James Garner is likely responsible for popularizing the name with his show “Maverick” that went on the air in 1957. Since then, Tom Cruise likely tipped off parents with his role as Maverick in the 1986 film, “Top Gun.”
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Oliver
> Boys named Oliver in 2013: 7,262 (52nd most popular)
> Boys named Oliver in 2017: 13,141 (9th most popular)
Oliver is the fastest growing first name for boys in the United States. Some 13,141 baby boys were given the name Oliver in 2017, far more than the 7,262 baby boys in 2013. Oliver is Latin for “olive tree,” and is a very popular name for boys in Australia, New Zealand, and England. It’s possible that the popularity for the boy name stems from Charles Dickens’ classic novel “Oliver Twist.” Harry Potter fans may have even gotten inspiration from Sean Biggerstaff’s character as Oliver Wood in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
Find a Qualified Financial Advisor (Sponsor)
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.