A parent’s greatest fear is that the names they choose for their little girl will be too common. Therefore, they will hunt for new unique names, but they will also not stray too far from the pack. They all want a name with a record; for this reason, most parents conform to naming trends.
The five most popular girl names are Olivia, a name derived from the beautiful olive tree, and Emma, meaning “universal” or “whole.” Ava is also a top choice, meaning ‘sound’ or ‘voice,’ while Sophia stands for wisdom. Isabella is the fifth most popular girl name, and it means “pledged to God.”
This article will explore the history of these voguish names. It will also reveal why these names are so popular despite their growing lack of uniqueness.
Read more about:
Meaning of Olivia, Meaning of Emma, Meaning of Ava, Meaning of Sophia and Meaning of Isabella.
What Is The Meaning of The Name Olivia?
Beautiful, fashionable Olivia is the most popular of all girl names in the US as per Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Olivia has been on the top list of the most popular feminine names since 2001. She has finally overthrown her opponents, Emma, Sophia, and Isabella, for the top spot.
Olivia unseated the perennially popular Emma for the top spot. Emma has held on to the crown since 2014. So, what is it that makes Olivia such a hit with parents? For one, female names that start with O are rare. The O factor is only found in a few other popular names such as Ophelia, Olive, and Opal.
Olivia’s quirky charm makes this name the most popular girl name across the pond in Britain, too. It is also a top girl name in Scotland, Canada, and Australia. The quirky charm of the names that begin with an O is also prevalent in the UK, with popular names such as Ottilie, Octavia, and Scottish Orla becoming top picks for parents.
Olivia comes from the Latin word oliva. Oliva is olive or an olive tree, and Oliver is the masculine form of Olivia. The name Olivia exists in 13th century English records. It owes its rise to fame to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night countess, Olivia. She is a woman of admirable femininity and strength.
Olivia is not only an on-demand star baby name but is a name of the most congenial TV characters such as Scandal’s Olivia Pope. The name is perfect for parents looking for a popular, beautiful name. If you need a unique take of the name, use Livia, Olive, or Liv.
What Is The Meaning of The Name Emma?
Emma has been the most popular girls’ name since Emma Watson played her role as Hermione in the first Harry Potter movie in late 2001. Emma topped the US charts as the most popular female name in 2008. She lost to Isabella in 2009 but came back to dominate the charts for four straight years, between 2014 and 2018.
The name Emma has Germanic origins. Its root word is ermen, a word that means “universal” or “whole.” Emma or Em is diminutive of Amelia or Emmeline and other ‘Em” names.
Emma is a popular name with major celebrities such as Emma Watson and Emma Stone, making it more saleable.
It is popular in the US and is a top choice for girls in the UK, Sweden, Russia, France, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Germany, and Denmark in the last decade. In literature, Emma is immortalized by Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma.
Olivia might have beaten Emma for the top spot, but Emma has been in the top 3 spot for 15 years, making it one of the most popular girl names of all time. The only other time a name has dominated the US Social Security Administration list for such a long period is Emily’s incredible streak, between 1996 and 2007.
One reason Emma is so popular could be its relation to two of the most likable naming trends. The early 2000 parents loved names that had classicism with vowels and consonants that alternate with each other. Amelia and Sophia became all the rage. Today’s parents prefer short vowel filled names like Lila and Ella. Emma has the benefit of a classic feel and the lightness of the new naming trend.
What Is The Meaning of The Name Ava?
Ava is a trendy two-syllable name of Germanic origins. It is a name with the 8th-century element aw-, where feminine names such as Avuldis, Auwanildis, Avagisa, and Awanpurc stem from. In religion, the name is popularized by the 9th-century princess, Saint Ava of Aquitaine.
Ava is the third most popular name for girls in the US. It was once in vogue in the 1950s, as actor Ava Gardner became a household name. Afterward, Ava fell out of favor with parents to be, only to resurface in the 90s. You will hardly find a millennial with the name Ava, but it is very prevalent amongst post-millennials.
Ava’s slow rise to fame began in the 90s and has since been a top-three choice in the last five years. The theory that actor Ava Gardner’s death in 1990 might have led to a spate of memorial naming. Another school of thought is that naming is a cyclical trend. In every generation, parents go for unique names for their kids.
Therefore, they will choose names that are neither as dated as their parents’ nor as common as their peers’. Such names will lie in their grandparents’ age group, and they will go for names with old-school charm. Since Ava was only briefly popular amongst baby boomers and is as unique as they come, it has become a top choice.
Even better, for Ava, it has the right mix of phonemes, all the rage right now. Ava has given rise to French’s Aveline and English Evelyn. In Persian, Ava means ‘sound’ or ‘voice,’ while in Russian, it could be a diminutive of Avreya, Avenira, Aviafa, or Aventine.
What Is The Meaning of The Name Sophia?
Sophia was the top girl’s name in the US between 2011 and 2013. It is also the Western world’s most popular name for girls. It has an elegant and sensuous ring to it, and it is very popular amongst celebrities and their children. Parents also love Sophia’s sophisticated charm in Russia, Italy, and Mexico.
In fact, it is often a second or third in the list of the most favored girl’s names in over 20 other countries. Sophia or Sofia is Greek, and it means wisdom. It is an old name, very popular in medieval Europe. It is particularly widespread in use in Eastern Orthodox regions.
Sophia has many likable qualities. Intellectual parents adore it for its meaning, and some parents love its feminine feel, while others go for its classic roots.
What Is The Meaning of The Name Isabella?
Isabella fell out of the list of the 1000 most popular names for girls in 1949. The acclaim that followed “Days of Our Lives,” the NBC soap opera of the 90s, brought Isabella back to the ears of upcoming parents, thanks to Isabella Toscano, the TV hero. It was not until the 2000s that Isabella vaulted to the top, grabbing a top ten spot in 2004.
By 2009, it was at the top spot. Isabella has an exotic uniqueness that has attracted hordes of parents, making it one of the most common names for girls in the US and Australia. It has a Hebrew origin, meaning “pledged to God.” In Hebrew, it is Elisheba or Elizabeth.
Isabella is the Latin form of Isabel or Scottish Isobel. Isabella, Izzy, or Bella are both classic and scholastic. It has been a name for royalty for centuries.
It is widely accepted and has a cross-cultural appeal. Like Ava and Sophia, Isabella is a choice name by parents who want exotic, hauntingly beautiful names that are unlike those of their generation or that of their parents.
Read: What Are the Meanings of the 5 Most Popular Boy Names?
Read: 229 Unique Girl Names
Conclusion
The name of a child reflects her parents’ worldviews and aspirations for their offspring. Olivia, Emma, Sophia, Ava, and Isabella are light, beautiful, exotic, and classic names that are memorable and with deep meanings. They carry every little girl’s parent’s wishes for their child, no wonder they are so popular. Source: Social Security Administration (SSA)
