What are the most popular names of 2023 so far?
Baby name popularity is a hot topic for expectant parents, but we won’t find out this year’s official rankings until well into 2024–not much use if you’re naming a baby in the next few months! Official baby name data published by agencies such as the Social Security Administration is out of date as soon as it’s released. The latest US popularity charts–topped by Liam and Olivia–represent babies born way back in 2021. So if you want to find out which names parents-to-be are considering now, a little detective work is required! This is our roundup of Nameberry’s most viewed girl and boy top 2023 baby names of 2023 so far.
Atticus
The name Atticus is a boy’s name of Greek, Latin origin meaning “from Attica.” Atticus derives from the Greek Attikos, meaning “from Attica,” the Ancient Greek region that contained Athens. Atticus is a literary name in more ways than one. Before it became synonymous with Atticus Finch, the name Atticus was associated with Titus Pomponius Atticus, a Roman literary figure.
Aurelia
The name Aurelia is a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning “the golden one.” Aurelia is the female form of the Latin name Aurelius, an ancient Roman surname. Aurelius is derived from the Latin word aureus, meaning “golden,” which was also the name of a gold coin used in Ancient Rome.
Cassius
The name Cassius is a boy’s name of Latin origin meaning “hollow.” Cassius, a Shakespearean name rooted in antiquity, is coming into fashion in a major way. Cassius is one of a number of Cas-starting names drawing attention, including Caspian, Cassian, Castor, Casper, Cashel, and Cash. Cass and Cash are both accessible nicknames.
Eloise
The name Eloise is a girl’s name of French, English origin meaning “healthy; wide.” To some, Eloise will forever be the imperious little girl making mischief at the Plaza Hotel, while the original version Heloise recalls the beautiful and learned wife of the French philosopher Peter Abelard, admired for her fidelity and piety. Eloise nicknames might include Ellie, Lolly, or Lola. Eloisa is an Italian alternative, adding some vintage charm.
Felix
The name Felix is a boy’s name of Latin origin meaning “happy, fortunate.” Felix was originally a Roman surname but was adopted as a nickname by the ancient Roman Sulla, who believed that he was especially blessed with luck by the gods. Felix, energetic and upbeat with a felicitous meaning, has finally transcended its negative associations with Felix The Cat and the persnickety Felix Unger.
Hugo
The name Hugo is a boy’s name of German, Spanish, and Portuguese origin meaning “mind, intellect.” Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original—and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it’s backed up by lots of solid history and European style.
Iris
The name Iris is a girl’s name of Greek origin meaning “rainbow.” Iris is directly derived from the Greek word iris, meaning “rainbow.” In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, a messenger for Zeus and Hera who rode the rainbow as a multicolored bridge from heaven to earth. Iris is one of the bouquet of turn-of-the-last-century flower names that is gradually beginning to regain its appeal: it is now at the highest point it has been since the Thirties.
Isla
The name Isla is a girl’s name of Spanish, Scottish origin meaning “island.” Isla is part of a trend for simple, old-fashioned girls’ names that start and end with a vowel: Ava, Ada, Ella, Emma, Eva, Ida, Ivy. Some other similar names that are not as trendy as Isla: Islay and Ailsa.
Luna
The name Luna is a girl’s name of Italian origin meaning “moon.” The name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna is derived straight from the Latin word for moon, luna. This strong but shimmery moonstruck name is one of the least likely top girl names in recent history, often ranking Number 1 on Nameberry’s internal charts.
Maeve
The name Maeve is a girl’s name of Irish origin meaning “she who intoxicates.” Maeve appears in Irish mythology in two forms, one as the powerful Queen of Connacht, the other as the queen of the fairies. Maeve is a short and sweet name that has become one of the most stylish Irish names for girls in the modern US. Maeve would make an excellent first or middle name choice, with more character and resonance than Mae/May and more modern charm than Mavis.
Oliver
The name Oliver is a boy’s name of Latin origin meaning “olive tree.” Oliver, a very popular choice in England, Australia, and New Zealand, only entered the list of Top 100 baby boy names in the U.S. for the first time in 2009 but has already jumped to the top of the charts. Why? Because Oliver is energetic and good-natured, stylish but not nearly as trendy as twin-sister Olivia, with a meaning symbolizing peace and fruitfulness.
Silas
The name Silas is a boy’s name of English, Latin origin meaning “of the forest; or prayed for.” Silas, once a folksy-sounding, rural New Testament boy name associated with George Eliot’s Silas Marner, has been climbing upward since 1990. In 2021, it hit its highest point ever in the US, ranking at Number 91. Silas is similar in flavor to smart, cool Biblical boy names like Caleb and Linus, and is a longstanding favorite with Nameberry visitors.
Soren
The name Soren is a boy’s name of Danish origin meaning “stern.” This gentle Scandinavian name, soft and sensitive, is being discovered in a major way by parents in the US. It’s most closely identified with the nineteenth-century philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, but there have been modern fictional Sorens as well, in The Matrix Reloaded and the book series Guardians of Ga’Hoole, Charlie and Lola, and Underworld.
Theodore
The name Theodore is a boy’s name of Greek origin meaning “gift of God.” As unlikely as it may seem, Theodore is a hot new hit name, vaulting into the Top 10 in 2021 for the first time ever. Friendly nickname Theo may be responsible for some of that, though there are plenty of baby boys given Theo as their full name too. Add their numbers together, and the two names jump to Number 6.
Wren
The name Wren is both a boy’s name and a girl’s name of English origin meaning “small bird.” Wren may not be as time-honored a bird name choice as Robin or even Lark, but it’s more fashionable. Given to just a handful of children a decade ago, in 2021 there were over 1200 girls and nearly 200 boys in the US given this cool and quirky name.
