Every year, the Social Security Administration releases US baby-name data from the previous year. On Friday, we got the new 2018 rankings and the list of names that experienced the greatest change in popularity from one year to the next. We’ve dug through the names that increased in popularity from 2017 to 2018 and picked our very favorites. The baby names on this list are still uncommon, but their jump in popularity means parents are starting to see their potential. So this is a great place to look if you want a name that’s both on trend and under the radar.
Here are our 15 secretly-stylish picks:
Anais
Rank in 2018: 848
Rank in 2017: 1089
Anais soars 241 spots into the top 1000. A Hebrew name meaning “grace,” this unusual beauty brings to mind French-born writer Anais Nin.
Della
Rank in 2018: 861
Rank in 2017: 1030
Moving up 169 spots, the sweet, vintage Della peaked in the 1880s and offers an of-the-moment alternative to Ella and Bella.
Greta
Rank in 2018: 587
Rank in 2017: 633
Up 46 spots, Greta, meaning “pearl,” is a nickname for Margaret but is substantial enough to stand alone. For us, it will forever conjure the enigmatic Greta Garbo.
Hayes
Rank in 2018: 343
Rank in 2017: 409
Riding the preppy-surname wave, Hayes moves up 66 spots. We love the trend of using a last name as a first name to incorporate a maiden name or honor a loved one.
Idris
Rank in 2018: 956
Rank in 2017: 1047
If names are at all prophetic, you can expect a lil boss with this name, which means “fiery leader.” Idris Elba likely inspired its 91-spot rise in the rankings.
Leona
Rank in 2018: 511
Rank in 2017: 550
We all love Leo, so why not Leona? Up 39 spots, this name meaning “lioness” reminds us of the fierce Leona Lewis.
Octavia
Rank in 2018: 430
Rank in 2017: 593
A strong and noble name, Octavia climbs up 163 spots to break the top 500. It has the appeal of Olivia and Olympia but with that bold long-A sound. And if the number eight is significant to you, choosing the name Octavia (meaning “eighth”) can be a clever way to incorporate it.
Samira
Rank in 2018: 914
Rank in 2017: 992
We’re guessing Samira’s jump in the ranks was influenced by Samira Wiley, who plays Poussey Washington in Orange Is the New Black and Moira in The Handmaid’s Tale. Up 78 places from last year, Samira is an Arabic name derived from Samir.
Samson
Rank in 2018: 547
Rank in 2017: 605
Moving up 58 spots, this uncommon Biblical name is another way to get to nickname Sam. And it fits with other surname names that end in -son, making it a cute moniker for the son of a parent named Sam.
Saoirse
Rank in 2018: 830
Rank in 2017: 958
Up 128 spots, this Irish beauty means “freedom.” Pronounced “seer-sha,” this name’s rise on the US charts may be attributed to actress Saoirse Ronan bringing attention to it on this side of the pond.
Selene
Rank in 2018: 831
Rank in 2017: 919
Also the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology, Selene is lent some calmness from its similarity to “serene.” While it’s moved up 88 spots, Selene is still much less popular than Selena, which sits at #249 on the charts.
Van
Rank in 2018: 827
Rank in 2017: 909
Up 82 spots, Van is a common Dutch surname prefix that indicates place of origin. Van can emit mid-century simplicity or rockstar energy (thanks to Van Morrison and Eddie Van Halen), depending on what you’re going for.
Wallace
Rank in 2018: 879
Rank in 2017: 1023
Climbing 144 spots in the past year, Wallace was a 1920s favorite that’s been all but forgotten lately. Its American literary ties (Wallace Stegner, Wallace Henry Thurman, Wallace Stevens, David Foster Wallace) are inspiring, and nicknames Wally and Ace are equally fitting for a modern baby.
Yael
Rank in 2018: 932
Rank in 2017: 1024
This Biblical heroine name is now considered unisex in the US. A near-rhyme with Yale (but more like ya-elle), Yael moves up 92 spots into the top 1000.
Yara
Rank in 2018: 672
Rank in 2017: 986
Soaring 314 spots, Yara is a name of Brazilian or Arabic origin, but we think its popularity is probably due to Game of Thrones, where Yara Greyjoy is the warrior queen of the Ironborn. The name, though, can be appealing to even non-fans, as it possesses the simple elegance of similar names like Lara, Mara, and Zara.