These Unique Baby Names For Boys & Girls Are Seeing A Huge Spike In Popularity In The US

While some preferred to go with a tried-and-true baby name in the U.S. last year, new data shows that some unique names also saw a surge in popularity in 2021.

The U.S. Social Security Administration recently released a list of names that saw a spike in popularity from 2020 to 2021, and it looks like people are taking inspiration from colours, Disney characters and nature to find more unusual names for their children.

According to the list, the name Raya saw the largest jump in popularity for girls, coinciding with the release of Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon in 2021.

Meanwhile, the name Amiri saw the biggest surge in popularity among boys last year. The Hebrew-origin name means "treetop," while its Arabic version means "prince." The surname is also popular in Māori culture, meaning "the east wind," according to The Bump.

For both males and females, the names Loyal (for boys) and Loyalty (for girls) also saw a jump on the list.

There were also a few unique colour-related names in the rankings, including Onyx for boys and Navy and Indigo for girls.

Others chose names that might sound familiar, although the spellings were more unusual. Jenesis, Austyn, Oaklee and Journi became more popular for girls, while Westin, Kartier and Tru increased in popularity for boys.

Gender-neutral baby names such as Ocean, Morgan and Clover were also on the rise, and the data shows that Noah and Noa are also surging as girl names.

Pop culture also has its influence, even on baby names! Rankings in popularity increased for names such as Bowie, Neo, Rey, Halle, Zendaya, Elon and Salma.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West also appeared to have some sway over the list, as their son's name Saint was also on the rise.

Here are the top 50 male names to increase in popularity in the U.S. in 2021:

1. Amiri
2. Eliam
3. Colter
4. Ozzy
5. Loyal
6. Khai
7. Evander
8. Camilo
9. Mac
10. Jiraiya
11. Banks
12. Gian
13. Wylder
14. Elio
15. Kylian
16. Cillian
17. Bridger
18. Onyx
19. Zyair
20. Koen
21. Palmer
22. Azriel
23. Zyon
24. Rome
25. Azael
26. Osman
27. Westin
28. vyaan
29. Jakai
30. Aziel
31. Riggs
32. Bowie
33. Yaakov
34. Mustafa
35. Kartier
36. Ambrose
37. Callahan
38. Jesiah
39. Dario
40. Jaxxon
41. Tru
42. Wes
43. Yadiel
44. Alfonso
45. Neo
46. Avi
47. Zakai
48. Rey
49. Saint
50. Creed

Here are the top 50 female names to increase in popularity in the U.S. in 2021:

1. Raya
2. Wrenley
3. Angelique
4. Vida
5. Emberlynn
6. Flora
7. Murphy
8. Arleth
9. Ocean
10. Oakleigh
11. Freyja
12. Mylah
13. Taytum
14. Elia
15. Jaylani
16. Zayla
17. Navy
18. Della
19. Clover
20. Nyra
21. Halo
22. Soleil
23. Soraya
24. Marceline
25. Jenesis
26. Noah
27. Sylvie
28. Loyalty
29. Jovie
30. Kahlani
31. Dalia
32. Aila
33. Journi
34. Analia
35. Goldie
36. Alora
37. Fallon
38. Oaklee
39. Noa
40. Baylor
41. Drew
42. Halle
43. Kamari
44. Daphne
45. Salma
46. Margo
47. Indigo
48. Denver
49. Stevie
50. Anya