United States baby name popularity trends

Data from the Social Security Administration and Name Almanac indicate a significant shift in American naming trends, characterized by a decline in historically popular names and a rise in previously uncommon ones.

Names that once dominated top rankings are now being described as ‘endangered’ as parents increasingly opt for newer choices. For example, Karen, which peaked in 1965 as the third most popular name for girls, has fallen to 1,251st. Lisa, a top name in the 1960s, now sits at 984th, while Jennifer, which held the top spot for 14 years between 1970 and 1984, has dropped to 546th. Other names experiencing steady declines include Jessica, which was a number one name in the late 1980s and is now ranked 575th, and Amanda, which peaked in 1987 and currently holds the 495th position.

Conversely, new trends are emerging driven by pop culture and cultural movements. The name Kasai rose 1,108 spots, influenced by actress Skai Jackson and rapper Kasai Guthrie. Japanese-inspired names like Akari are also surging, potentially linked to the popularity of anime. Additionally, modern variations of Hebrew names, including Eziah and Jasai, are seeing increased usage.