25 American Names Popular for the First Time

Taking a cue from nature, Oaklynn means “beautiful oak” or “oak lake” (Lynn derives from “llyn,” the Welsh word for “lake.” The name is also spelled “Oaklyn.”

Like Oaklynn, Haisley has a connection to a tree: The name means “hazel tree.” In the 12th century, it was used as a surname for people who lived near a tree of that kind.

Robert Kardashian and Blac Chyna were likely one of the first couples to name their daughter Dream. Dream Renee Kardashian was born into the reality show clan in 2016.

Stevie is not an shortened version of Stephanie. The name is actually of Greek origin and means “crown” or “garland.”

Not a nickname for Charlene or Charlotte, Charli is a German word for “free man” or “free woman.” It’s also translated in German as “warrior,” “warrior woman,” or “army.”

Of Latin origin, Maren means “star of the sea.” But in Hebrew, Maren has a much different meaning, coming from the word for “bitter.”

An old Scandinavian name, Astrid means “divinely beautiful.” It was first given to Scandinavian royal women in the 10th century.

Not a shortened version of the male name Noah, Noa stands on its own as a female name. It traces its origins to the Old Testament, where it means “motion” in Hebrew. It’s popular in Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

Azaleas are a flowering shrub, so a girl could be named in the flower’s honor. Yet in Ancient Greek, Azalea suggests a not very flower-like meaning: It comes from “azaléos,” meaning “dry.”

Although Armani is an Italian surname – most notably the famous fashion designer Giorgio Armani – it comes from a German word meaning “warrior.” But it might also come from “amani,” the Swahili word for “peace.”

In Hawaiian, Malani means “calm” or “relaxing.” Parents with a crying baby probably hope their girl lives up to the name.

The English definition of legacy is “an inheritance, something left to someone in a will.” As a girl’s name, Legacy signifies quite literally her parents’ legacy.

According to Nameberry.com, baby boys named Ari outnumbered female Ari’s by four to one in 2010. More recently, feminine Ari’s have caught up male Ari’s and are equal for both boys and girls. As a standalone name and not a shortened version of Ariel or Ariana, Ari is a Hebrew word meaning “lion.”

Also spelled Remi, Remy translates to “oarsman” in French. Alternately spelled as Remi, boys named Remy outnumber girls with the same spelling. But girls with the moniker, Remi, outnumber those named Remy.

Gender neutral, Dior is most strongly associated with famed French designer, Christian Dior. Of French origin, the name is related to the term “d’or,” meaning “golden.”

Deriving from the Scottish/Gaelic, Callan translates to “battle” or “rock.” The name remains popular in Scotland.

A name from Kikongo, a Bantu language from Africa, Zyaire translates to “river.” It could also refer to a person from Zaire, the country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Briggs is an Old English name meaning “dweller by the bridge.” It’s also a Scottish surname derived from the word “Bryggia,” also used to describe families who lived by a bridge.

For “Star Wars” fans, Kylo has special meaning. Kylo Ren, who went over to the Dark Side, is the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa. Yet its origin goes back much further than the “Star Wars” films. Kylo derives from the Latin word “Caelum,” meaning “sky,” which would make it appropriate for a space-traveling character.

Of Arabic and Hindi origin, Ayaan is probably one of the most fitting names for a child. It means “God’s gift,” which is what a child is to his parents.

Lucca means “bringer of light” in Italian. It’s also the name of a town in Tuscany. The Italian version of Luke or Lucas, it can also mean “man from Lucania,” the ancient name for the Basilicata region in Southern Italy.

Baylor means “one who delivers the goods.” It’s a variation of bailor, an English word meaning “delivery person.”

Tripp means “the third,” or third born, which is why men with the suffix III are sometimes called “Tripp.” As a surname Tripp traces back to medieval times signifying one of three jobs: traveling dancer, seller of meats and sausages, or maker of wooden clogs.

Well-known as the name of a popular Western-style hat, Stetson descends from the Anglo-Saxon word “stytt” and the old English “stot” or “stott.” In both cases the word literally means “bull,” but was an Anglo-Saxon nickname for a boxer or fighter, and an Old English nickname for a cattle dealer or a wild young person.

Looking for a strong male moniker? Aziel could be it. A Hebrew name, Aziel translates as “God is my power” or “God is my strength.”