The Biggest Losers (2015)

Which names are rising always seems to get more attention, but it can be interesting to see which names people are dropping. Here are the fastest-falling names from last year (narrowed to the 2014 Top 500).

Girls:

1. Anabelle, -272 ( #464 --> #736 )
2. Elsa, -201 ( #286 --> #487 )
3. Annabel, -172 ( #448 --> #620 )
4. Angelique, -154 ( #413 --> #567 )
5. Annabella, -140 ( #256 --> #396 )
6. Caitlyn, -136 ( #463 --> #599 )
7. Jaylah, -126 ( #357 --> #483 )
8. Caitlin, -113 ( #496 --> #609 )
9. Guadalupe, -111 ( #480 --> #591 )
10. Giuliana, -90 ( #373 --> #463 )
11. Anya, -83 ( #472 --> #555 )
12. Kendra, -82 ( #259 --> #341 )
13. Haylee, -82 ( #400 --> #482 )
14. Megan, -77 ( #307 --> #384 )
15. Crystal, -73 ( #477 --> #550 )
16. Itzel, -68 ( #423 --> #491 )
17. Marissa, -68 ( #472 --> #540 )
18. Katelyn, -67 ( #172 --> #239 )
19. Kara, -66 ( #442 --> #508 )
20. Lexi, -65 ( #242 --> #307 )

Woah, 3 spellings of Caitlin? I knew she's been declining since the 90s, but I didn't realize it was so serious. Did I miss something with Annabel/Annabella? And Elsa was one of the top-gaining names of last year! Guess people are getting sick of Frozen.
Honorable mention to Isis, who, although she wasn't high enough to be counted on here, lost a whopping 1060 spots, falling from #705 --> #1765. :(

Boys:

1. Gannon, -119 ( #413 --> #532 )
2. Uriel, -79 ( #489 --> #568 )
3. Jase, -77 ( #105 --> #182 )
4. Izaiah, -76 ( #459 --> #535 )
5. Trey, -76 ( #480 --> #556 )
6. Dustin, -72 ( #433 --> #505 )
7. Case, -72 ( #467 --> #539 )
8. Colten, -71 ( #474 --> #545 )
9. Jayceon, -63 ( #200 --> #263 )
10. Jakob, -63 ( #458 --> #521 )
11. Kellen, -61 ( #444 --> #505 )
12. Brennan, -60 ( #386 --> #446 )
13. Ty, -60 ( #424 --> #484 )
14. Trent, -60 ( #498 --> #558 )
15. Marvin, -58 ( #492 --> #550 )
16. Braden, -56 ( #358 --> #414 )
17. Ryland, -56 ( #436 --> #492 )
18. Tony, -56 ( #448 --> #504 )
19. Royce, -55 ( #475 --> #530 )
20. Drake, -51 ( #348 --> #399 )

Gannon and Jayceon were previously on highest-rising lists, too. I admit, I'm surprised Marvin was even high enough to be on this list. 

Here are the names that lost the most usage.

Girls:

1. Isabella, -0.07% (0.87% ---> 0.8%)
2. Sophia, -0.06% (0.95% ---> 0.9%)
3. Annabelle, -0.06% (0.22% ---> 0.17%)
4. Emily, -0.04% (0.65% ---> 0.61%)
5. Alexis, -0.04% (0.22% ---> 0.18%)
6. Arianna, -0.04% (0.27% ---> 0.23%)
7. Aubree, -0.03% (0.22% ---> 0.19%)
8. Ella, -0.03% (0.44% ---> 0.41%)
9. Natalie, -0.03% (0.36% ---> 0.33%)
10. Chloe, -0.03% (0.44% ---> 0.41%)
11. Alyssa, -0.03% (0.2% ---> 0.17%)
12. Anna, -0.03% (0.29% ---> 0.26%)
13. Katelyn, -0.03% (0.1% ---> 0.07%)
14. Peyton, -0.03% (0.23% ---> 0.2%)
15. Khloe, -0.03% (0.18% ---> 0.15%)
16. Ariana, -0.03% (0.28% ---> 0.25%)
17. Brooklyn, -0.03% (0.35% ---> 0.32%)
18. Elsa, -0.02% (0.06% ---> 0.03%)
19. Gabriella, -0.02% (0.26% ---> 0.24%)
20. Annabella, -0.02% (0.07% ---> 0.04%)

Uh-oh, looks like many of the top names may be on the way out. 

Boys:

1. Jase, -0.07% (0.18% ---> 0.11%)
2. Jayden, -0.07% (0.63% ---> 0.57%)
3. Joshua, -0.05% (0.53% ---> 0.48%)
4. Andrew, -0.05% (0.55% ---> 0.49%)
5. Michael, -0.05% (0.75% ---> 0.71%)
6. Jace, -0.05% (0.31% ---> 0.26%)
7. Anthony, -0.04% (0.57% ---> 0.52%)
8. Jacob, -0.04% (0.82% ---> 0.78%)
9. William, -0.04% (0.82% ---> 0.78%)
10. Gavin, -0.04% (0.32% ---> 0.28%)
11. Alexander, -0.04% (0.75% ---> 0.71%)
12. Evan, -0.04% (0.33% ---> 0.29%)
13. Ayden, -0.04% (0.28% ---> 0.24%)
14. Brandon, -0.04% (0.29% ---> 0.25%)
15. Logan, -0.03% (0.67% ---> 0.63%)
16. Blake, -0.03% (0.24% ---> 0.21%)
17. Kevin, -0.03% (0.29% ---> 0.25%)
18. Tyler, -0.03% (0.29% ---> 0.25%)
19. Jayceon, -0.03% (0.1% ---> 0.07%)
20. Ethan, -0.03% (0.77% ---> 0.74%)

Jase and Jace--interesting. Several of these lost a lot of % last year, too. We might be seeing an all-new Top 10 in a few years. 

And just in case you're not already overloaded with numbers, here are the biggest losers in relative frequency. (how much more common the names were in 2014)

Girls:

1. Anabella (1.81x)
2. Anabel (1.8x)
3. Annabell (1.8x)
4. Anabelle (1.79x)
5. Elsa (1.73x)
6. Aranza (1.63x)
7. Cindy (1.57x)
8. Annabella (1.55x)
9. Annabel (1.54x)
10. Aryanna (1.43x)
11. Elissa (1.43x)
12. Angelique (1.42x)
13. Kaitlin (1.42x)
14. Jakayla (1.42x)
15. Kiley (1.41x)
16. Katelyn (1.39x)
17. Caitlyn (1.39x)
18. Kailyn (1.39x)
19. Danica (1.38x)
20. Jaylah (1.37x)

Ho-lee buckets. Seriously, did I miss a horrible Annabel/Annabella namesake? Cindy seems rather random; I didn't even realize it was still in the Top 1500. Katelyn, Kailyn, Kiley...are the long-vowel K-names perhaps going to start going out of style? Jaylah was on the list last year, too. 

Boys:

1. Neymar (1.69x)
2. Jase (1.63x)
3. Jayse (1.47x)
4. Jayceon (1.46x)
5. Rylee (1.43x)
6. Gannon (1.41x)
7. Brenden (1.4x)
8. Nikhil (1.4x)
9. Johnathon (1.38x)
10. Yandel (1.38x)
11. Bradyn (1.36x)
12. Broderick (1.35x)
13. Jai (1.35x)
14. Josh (1.35x)
15. Zackary (1.34x)
16. Peyton (1.33x)
17. Graeme (1.33x)
18. Ulises (1.32x)
19. Yael (1.32x)
20. Aidyn (1.31x)

The boys' side seems a lot more random. I wonder if Bradyn & Ayden (and sound-alike Peyton) signal the decline of the -aidens, or if those spellings are just seen as more feminine. Jase and Jayceon again, along with Jayse. Hmmm. 

Bemusedly, I Relay a List Most Painstakinglee Talleigh-ed (2015)

Yep, more "easy" data (at least comparatively). Here are all the -ley names given to girls in 2015, most --> least common, with alternate spellings combined (as best as I could, anyway).
Only the most common spelling is given, but all were counted.
Usual disclaimer: many are, of course, established names in English or other languages, but since they do (presumably) end in the -lee sound, they're being counted, as they do contribute (however slightly) to the trend.

• Emily (≈14000 babies)
• Riley
• Lily (≈9700 babies)
• Kaylee
• Natalie
• Hailey
• Kylie
• Paisley
• Ellie
• Bailey (≈4700 babies)
• Charlie
• Kinsley
• Callie
• Ashley
• Hadley 
• Carly
• Everly
• Brynlee
• Kimberly
• Marley
• Molly
• Kinley (≈2500 babies)
• Presley
• Finley
• Harley
• Allie
• Rosalie
• Brylee
• Mckinley
• Leslie
• Kali
• Ainsley
• Blakely
• Braylee
• Kensley
• Hallie (≈1000 babies)
• Nayeli
• Tenley
• Kenley
• Adalee
• Holly
• Oakley
• Ansley
• Millie
• Kelly
• Raylee
• Jaylee
• Julie
• Henley 
• Maylee
• Annalee
• Jolie
• Arely
• Zaylee
• Adley
• Berkley
• Amelie (≈500 babies)
• Yareli
• Keeley
• Miley
• Xitlali
• Ali
• Analee
• Araceli
• Lynlee
• Tinsley
• Shaylee
• Heavenly
• Nellie
• Novalee
• Bentley
• Whitley
• Angely
• Yaneli
• Sally
• Kaisley (≈250 babies)
• Bexley
• Cecily
• Janelly
• Emberly
• Jubilee
• Coralie
• Skylee
• Eisley
• Haisley
• Shirley
• Amberly
• Avalee
• Ily
• Hartley
• Tilly
• Beverly
• Anjali
• Raleigh
• Hensley
• Taylee
• Aisley
• Waverly
• Brenley
• Kingsley
• Bradley
• Magaly
• Karely
• Denali
• Arley
• Italy
• Tylee
• Ensley
• Billie
• Renley
• Ripley
• Anayeli (≈100 babies)
• Brantley
• Quinley
• Avonlea 
• Quetzalli
• Makaylee
• Wesley
• Atley
• Lorali
• Ridley
• Greenlee
• Marely
• Daylee
• Brinkley
• Mallie
• Sicily
• Emsley
• Evalee
• Averly
• Leigh
• Isley
• Lovely
• Makinsley
• Noely
• Laylee
• Neely
• Zelie
• Shelly
• Nashley
• Tali
• Ollie
• Truly
• Huntley
• Wylie
• Cylie
• Polly (≈50 babies)
• Nailea
• Amalie
• Zuly
• Zylee
• Breleigh
• Shylee
• Blakley
• Dolly
• Meztli
• Nylee
• Orly
• Yetzali
• Marilee
• Mariely
• Avenly
• Dally
• Langley
• Idaly
• Annleigh
• Anyeli
• Kesley
• Azalee
• Britlee
• Hazley
• Jarely
• Atalie
• Darely
• Hanley
• Esli
• Brentley
• Huxley
• Anaeli
• Azelie
• July
• Asli (≈25 babies)
• Conley
• Galilee
• Aurelie
• Brexley
• Brinsley
• Makylee
• Mellie
• Gracelee
• Jennalee
• Kaitley
• Kentley
• Nazly
• Wrigley
• Timberly
• Yesly
• Ariely
• Brooklee
• Shanley
• Chrisley
• Coley
• Sahily
• Taisley
• Tigerlily
• Vallie
• Emerlee
• Loxley
• Maisley
• Naraly
• Braxlee
• Layali
• Mayerly
• Corley
• Lakely
• Nadyalee
• Sonali
• Airlie
• Jehieli
• Lively
• Yuli
• Connelly
• Gabbanelli
• Seeley
• Jesly
• Zully
• Benelli
• Jadalee
• Pazley
• Ottilie
• Sully
• Yaeli
• Aketzali
• Annabellee
• Graylee
• Mahaley
• Soley
• Baxley (≈10 babies)
• Beckley 
• Eulalie
• Mattingly
• Pailey
• Siddalee
• Vaishali
• Yahli
• Yoali
• Aimsley
• Brindley
• Brixley
• Crosley
• Dashley
• Emanuelly
• Hatley
• Isabelly
• Isaly
• Ivalee
• Madalee
• Nollie
• Noralee
• Pemberley
• Amylee
• Brightly
• Gabrielly
• Gloricely
• Holy
• Jaisley
• Knightley
• Mirely
• Penley
• Radley
• Sibley
• Staley
• Yorley
• Annesley
• Braisley
• Brendaly
• Dariely
• Heli
• Irely
• Jakaylee
• Kinberly
• Lolly
• Nali
• Nili
• Pearlie
• Sharlee
• Wakely
• Wimberly
• Yeily
• Blakesley
• Callalily
• Chesley
• Gaely
• Gali
• Hurley
• Kiralee
• Matalie
• Moxley
• Mythili
• Romilly
• Saylee
• Wellesley
• Yariely
• Amarely (here and all below ≈5 babies)
• Amiley
• Anaceli
• Aniyahlee
• Delali
• Dianelly
• Elee
• Ellalee
• Eztli
• Francely
• Jakylee
• Kekeli
• Kiaralee
• Mosley
• Nolie
• Paxley
• Praylee
• Rally
• Serly
• Steelie
• Suheily
• Trinley
• Vanelly
• Zolie
• Zali

In total, 326 -ley names (cut down from 1514 "unique" spellings), comprising 9.27% of baby girls. That's fewer names, but about the same % as last year.

Rare But Real (2015)

It's time for probably my favorite SSA-based post! Here are some of those rare gems given to only 5 babies last year.
(excluding those that appeared on previous lists: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)

Boys:

• Bertrand (BUR-trand, English; behr-TRAWN, French)--from Germanic, "bright shield"
• Brennus (BREN-nus, [Latinized] Proto-Celtic)--poss. "prince" 
• Dermot (DUR-mut, English, Irish)--anglicized from Diarmuid
• Elior (el-ee-OR, Hebrew)--"God is my light"
• Emyr (EH-meer, Welsh)--"king"
• Quince (QUINS, English)
• Stian (STEE-ahn, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "wanderer"

Girls:

• Ameline (ah-mel-EEN, French)--form of Emmeline
• Berta (BUR-tah, English; BEHR-tah, German, Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian)--from Germanic, "bright"
• Ceres (SEER-eez, KEHR-es, Latin)--"to grow". Roman goddess of agriculture.
• Clodagh (KLOH-dah, Irish)--from the name of an Irish river, poss. "small stones" or "muddy"
• Eliška (eh-LEESH-kah, Czech)--form of Elizabeth
• Federica (feh-deh-REE-kah, Italian)--feminine of Frederick
• Fiamma (fee-AHM-mah, Italian)--"flame"
• Jedidah (jed-EYE-dah, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"beloved"
• Lovisa (loo-VEE-sah, Swedish)--form of Louise
• Merav (mehr-AHV, Hebrew)--"abundant"
• Olivine (AHL-iv-een, English)
• Raziela (rah-zee-EL-ah, Hebrew)--"my secret is God"
• Romaisa (roh-MAY-sah, Arabic)--also transliterated as Rumaisa (roo-MAY-sah)
• Trillium (TRIL-lee-um, English)

% Changes, 2015

As always, I'm a bit more interested in how a name changes in percentage usage. Ranking shows how names are popular relative to each other, while percentage shows proportionally how many kids are getting the name.
Here are the names that showed the most usage gain from 2014 to 2015:

Girls:

1. Alexa, +0.09% (0.22% ---> 0.31%)
2. Mia, +0.07% (0.69% ---> 0.77%)
3. Hazel, +0.07% (0.15% ---> 0.22%)
4. Charlotte, +0.07% (0.52% ---> 0.59%)
5. Scarlett, +0.06% (0.31% ---> 0.37%)
6. Amelia, +0.06% (0.45% ---> 0.51%)
7. Riley, +0.05% (0.25% ---> 0.29%)
8. Aurora, +0.05% (0.14% ---> 0.19%)
9. Adeline, +0.05% (0.08% ---> 0.12%)
10. Penelope, +0.04% (0.26% ---> 0.31%)
11. Adaline, +0.04% (0.01% ---> 0.05%)
12. Ava, +0.04% (0.8% ---> 0.84%)
13. Eleanor, +0.04% (0.19% ---> 0.23%)
14. Harper, +0.04% (0.49% ---> 0.53%)
15. Mila, +0.04% (0.21% ---> 0.24%)
16. Evelyn, +0.03% (0.45% ---> 0.48%)
17. Violet, +0.03% (0.21% ---> 0.25%)
18. Stella, +0.03% (0.21% ---> 0.25%)
19. Nora, +0.03% (0.24% ---> 0.27%)
20. Paisley, +0.03% (0.23% ---> 0.26%)

So Alexa went from being given to about 2 in every 1000 girls to being given to about every 3 in 1000 girls. which corresponds to her rise from #63 in 2014 to #32 in 2015. But while that's a pretty good jump for a name in the Top 100, it actually wasn't all that much of an increase in usage. You're about just as likely to meet a new baby Alexa this year than you were last year. ;)

Boys:

1. Oliver, +0.11% (0.46% ---> 0.57%)
2. Grayson, +0.07% (0.32% ---> 0.39%)
3. Matteo, +0.07% (0.04% ---> 0.11%)
4. Mateo, +0.06% (0.18% ---> 0.25%)
5. Lincoln, +0.06% (0.24% ---> 0.29%)
6. Ezra, +0.05% (0.17% ---> 0.21%)
7. Theodore, +0.05% (0.16% ---> 0.2%)
8. Hudson, +0.04% (0.26% ---> 0.3%)
9. Wyatt, +0.04% (0.43% ---> 0.47%)
10. Asher, +0.04% (0.21% ---> 0.25%)
11. Henry, +0.04% (0.46% ---> 0.5%)
12. Sawyer, +0.03% (0.18% ---> 0.21%)
13. Abel, +0.03% (0.13% ---> 0.16%)
14. Leo, +0.03% (0.19% ---> 0.23%)
15. Adriel, +0.03% (0.03% ---> 0.06%)
16. Greyson, +0.03% (0.15% ---> 0.18%)
17. August, +0.03% (0.07% ---> 0.1%)
18. Nolan, +0.03% (0.26% ---> 0.28%)
19. Everett, +0.03% (0.12% ---> 0.15%)
20. Dawson, +0.02% (0.05% ---> 0.08%)

Huh. That's the second year in the row that Oliver has taken the top spot. Could it be destined for #1?
Also: Matteo and Mateo, Grayson and Greyson? Verrrrry interesting. I'm intrigued to see Adriel again. Is there a pop-culture reference I'm missing, I wonder?


There's another way we can play with percentage--relative frequency. Relative frequency shows how much more likely you are to meet a new baby with a name.

Girls:

1. Alaia (6.58x)
2. Charleston (6.5x)
3. Adaline (5.57x)
4. Meilani (4.59x)
5. Aitana (4.52x)
6. Aislinn (3.6x)
7. Royalty (3.47x)
8. Bexley (3.15x)
9. Taya (3.04x)
10. Alijah (2.83x)
11. Julietta (2.74x)
12. Octavia (2.51x)
13. Vaida (2.22x)
14. Yaiza (2.19x)
15. Briar (2.13x)
16. Murphy (2.08x)
17. Zelda (2.07x)
18. Oona (2.05x)
19. Sia (2.03x)
20. Ainara (2.03x)

Boys:

1. Jonael (218.53x) [estimated]
2. Aylan (5.34x)
3. Tyus (4.01x)
4. Riaan (3.95x)
5. Hero (3.44x)
6. Amias (3.34x)
7. Nivaan (3.34x)
8. Izan (2.63x)
9. Matteo (2.6x)
10. Reign (2.56x)
11. Manolo (2.52x)
12. Avyaan (2.5x)
13. Cove (2.41x)
14. Kyzer (2.23x)
15. Hakeem (2.21x)
16. Ayansh (2.21x)
17. Linkoln (2.16x)
18. Klay (2.14x)
19. Hiro (2.12x)
20. Taiden (2.11x)

Of course, most of these names are still pretty uncommon. Cove, for instance, was only given to 53 boys last year. It might be 2 1/2 times more common this year, but you're still pretty unlikely to meet one! Here are the biggest increases in usage from the Top 500:

Girls:

1. Adaline (5.57x)
2. Thea (1.91x)
3. Addilyn (1.72x)
4. Adeline (1.57x)
5. Blake (1.5x)
6. Freya (1.49x)
7. Hazel (1.49x)
8. Remi (1.47x)
9. Raelynn (1.47x)
10. Felicity (1.46x)

Boys:

1. Matteo (2.6x)
2. Adriel (1.86x)
3. Kyrie (1.86x)
4. Killian (1.81x)
5. Beckham (1.6x)
6. Legend (1.57x)
7. Tobias (1.53x)
8. Atlas (1.47x)
9. Dawson (1.47x)
10. Daxton (1.45x)

Slow down, Adaline! My goodness. 

Ranking Jumps, 2015 (boys)

Boys turn! Here are the fastest-rising names from the Top 2500 and up:

1. Jonael, +???? (not appearing ---> #918)
2. Aylan, +4446 ( #6586 ---> #2140)
3. Tyus, +3460 ( #5684 ---> #2224)
4. Hero, +3094 ( #5432 ---> #2338)
5. Nivaan, +2799 ( #5023 ---> #2224)
6. Avyaan, +2021 ( #4359 ---> #2338)
7. Cove, +1963 ( #4359 ---> #2396)
8. Amias, +1921 ( #3509 ---> #1588)
9. Manolo, +1712 ( #3768 ---> #2056)
10. Linkoln, +1612 ( #3983 ---> #2371)
11. Ayansh, +1454 ( #3594 ---> #2140)
12. Kanaan, +1449 ( #3866 ---> #2417)
13. Izan, +1447 ( #3131 ---> #1684)
14. Aariv, +1395 ( #3866 ---> #2471)
15. Taiden, +1392 ( #3594 ---> #2202)
16. Klay, +1369 ( #3509 ---> #2140)
17. Riaan, +1341 ( #2266 ---> #925)
18. Braven, +1228 ( #3672 ---> #2444)
19. Hiro, +1190 ( #3131 ---> #1941)
20. Reign, +1147 ( #2563 ---> #1416)

Holy crap, Jonael! Only references I can find are a contestant on The Voice, and a Swiss philosopher. I'm guessing The Voice is to blame, but I'm definitely intrigued by the name. ;)
The girls may have lots of "ai", but the boys seem to have all the "aa"--Nivaan, Avyaan, Riaan, Aariv, Kanaan...I wonder which are modern coinages, and which are imports?
Amias is a nice surprise.

On to the names more likely to be on everyone's lists--the fastest risers from the Top 1500:

1. Jonael, +???? (not appearing ---> #918)
2. Riaan, +1341 ( #2266 ---> #925)
3. Reign, +1147 ( #2563 ---> #1416)
4. Hakeem, +800 ( #1962 ---> #1162)
5. Kaiser, +751 ( #2024 ---> #1273)
6. Jeremih, +571 ( #1962 ---> #1391)
7. Ollie, +550 ( #1948 ---> #1398)
8. Lenny, +464 ( #1604 ---> #1140)
9. Judd, +457 ( #1948 ---> #1491)
10. Javen, +450 ( #1931 ---> #1481)
11. Kanon, +415 ( #1778 ---> #1363)
12. Danilo, +412 ( #1440 ---> #1028)
13. Tegan, +404 ( #1875 ---> #1471)
14. Shepard, +395 ( #1848 ---> #1453)
15. Huxley, +391 ( #1351 ---> #960)
16. Arham, +381 ( #1848 ---> #1467)
17. Wilder, +378 ( #1338 ---> #960)
18. Everest, +350 ( #1831 ---> #1481)
19. Kilian, +345 ( #1667 ---> #1322)
20. Link, +327 ( #1640 ---> #1313)

While Reign seems to be a new favorite middle name, I'm surprised to see it gaining so much as a first. Not as many surnames as I was expecting. Huxley was on the list last year, too. 

And the names still rising quickly in the Top 500:

1. Matteo, +182 ( #373 ---> #191)
2. Kyrie, +171 ( #505 ---> #334)
3. Killian, +166 ( #514 ---> #348)
4. Atlas, +156 ( #646 ---> #490)
5. Adriel, +147 ( #433 ---> #286)
6. Legend, +142 ( #534 ---> #392)
7. Beckham, +127 ( #486 ---> #359)
8. Bodhi, +116 ( #615 ---> #499)
9. Royal, +107 ( #572 ---> #465)
10. Tobias, +103 ( #419 ---> #316)
11. Theo, +102 ( #509 ---> #407)
12. Hendrix, +102 ( #545 ---> #443)
13. Daxton, +101 ( #481 ---> #380)
14. Conor, +101 ( #578 ---> #477)
15. Lennox, +97 ( #585 ---> #488)
16. Princeton, +83 ( #514 ---> #431)
17. Dawson, +81 ( #320 ---> #239)
18. Augustus, +77 ( #544 ---> #467)
19. Amari, +75 ( #340 ---> #265)
20. Jonas, +72 ( #500 ---> #428)

Oo, what a fun list! Killian (and Kilian from the previous section), Adriel, Tobias, Theo, Augustus, Jonas (I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed that my son's name is on here). Tobias and Daxton featured last year as well. 

And finally, the names completely new to the Top 1000:

• Achilles
• Avi
• Boone
• Briar
• Brixton
• Cairo
• Canaan
• Huxley
• Jaziel
• Jonael
• Kashton
• Kye
• Musa
• Riaan
• Shiloh
• Sutton
• Wilder
• Yahya

BTW, if you're getting a bit of déjà vu on Briar, that's because it also appeared on the girls' Top 1000 for the first time this year. Go Briar!

Ranking Jumps, 2015 (girls)

All right, on to the really interesting stuff. Here are the highest jumping girls' names from #2500 and up:

1. Charleston, +2777 ( #3817 ---> #1040)
2. Alijah, +2480 ( #4742 ---> #2262)
3. Alaia, +1997 ( #2661 ---> #664)
4. Meilani, +1811 ( #2759 ---> #948)
5. Julietta, +1721 ( #3394 ---> #1673)
6. Aitana, +1707 ( #2624 ---> #917)
7. Yaiza, +1656 ( #3889 ---> #2233)
8. Royalty, +1572 ( #2721 ---> #1149)
9. Ainara, +1526 ( #3889 ---> #2363)
10. Bexley, +1473 ( #2694 ---> #1221)
11. Murphy, +1473 ( #3632 ---> #2159)
12. Aislinn, +1371 ( #2331 ---> #960)
13. Vaida, +1360 ( #3205 ---> #1845)
14. Yazaira, +1345 ( #3632 ---> #2287)
15. Teigan, +1301 ( #3460 ---> #2159)
16. Harlyn, +1296 ( #3684 ---> #2388)
17. Theia, +1270 ( #3684 ---> #2414)
18. Aashvi, +1268 ( #3753 ---> #2485)
19. Annalia, +1216 ( #3519 ---> #2303)
20. Octavia, +1183 ( #2540 ---> #1357)

Oo! Octavia! Theia! Alaia! Aislinn! Charleston surprises me, but I suppose it shouldn't--place name + new way to get to "Charlie"? Seems pretty logical.

The fastest risers from the Top 1500 and up:

1. Charleston, +2777 ( #3817 ---> #1040)
2. Alaia, +1997 ( #2661 ---> #664)
3. Meilani, +1811 ( #2759 ---> #948)
4. Aitana, +1707 ( #2624 ---> #917)
5. Royalty, +1572 ( #2721 ---> #1149)
6. Bexley, +1473 ( #2694 ---> #1221)
7. Aislinn, +1371 ( #2331 ---> #960)
8. Octavia, +1183 ( #2540 ---> #1357)
9. Taya, +1129 ( #2108 ---> #979)
10. Adaline, +1036 ( #1400 ---> #364)
11. Aislynn, +889 ( #2331 ---> #1442)
12. Zella, +743 ( #2216 ---> #1473)
13. Rowyn, +716 ( #2175 ---> #1459)
14. Malani, +683 ( #1923 ---> #1240)
15. Ailani, +682 ( #1886 ---> #1204)
16. Bellamy, +627 ( #1923 ---> #1296)
17. Amaia, +625 ( #2052 ---> #1427)
18. Briar, +601 ( #1445 ---> #844)
19. Winifred, +523 ( #1982 ---> #1459)
20. Baylor, +521 ( #1683 ---> #1162)

Wow, Alaia and Amaia, Aitana and Ailani, Aislinn and Aislynn. Lots of "ai" action!
Bexley and Bellamy, Briar and Baylor. It's like modern Dr. Suess. :p Bellamy was on the highest risers last year, too. It'll be one to keep an eye on.
Zella and Winifred are nice vintage surprises. 

Which names will be able to keep this momentum, though? Here are the names still rising quickly from the Top 500:

1. Adaline, +1036 ( #1400 ---> #364)
2. Thea, +312 ( #775 ---> #463)
3. Addilyn, +207 ( #543 ---> #336)
4. Freya, +167 ( #584 ---> #417)
5. Blake, +166 ( #589 ---> #423)
6. Remi, +162 ( #662 ---> #500)
7. Felicity, +138 ( #497 ---> #359)
8. Amina, +105 ( #408 ---> #303)
9. River, +104 ( #453 ---> #349)
10. Kaia, +104 ( #550 ---> #446)
11. Hattie, +102 ( #590 ---> #488)
12. Braelynn, +100 ( #565 ---> #465)
13. Raelynn, +90 ( #267 ---> #177)
14. Journee, +89 ( #466 ---> #377)
15. Leia, +87 ( #508 ---> #421)
16. Harlow, +86 ( #508 ---> #422)
17. Adeline, +84 ( #219 ---> #135)
18. Sawyer, +84 ( #344 ---> #260)
19. Rowan, +81 ( #412 ---> #331)
20. Kamila, +75 ( #403 ---> #328)

Amina, Sawyer, Felicity, and River featured last year, as well, and Hattie made the list in 2012 and 2011. 3 different spellings of Adeline--wow! And of course more ambiguous or gender-bending names--Blake, Remi, River, Sawyer, Rowan.
Pretty happy to see Leia and Kaia. ;)

And finally, the names completely new to the Top 1000:

• Adilynn
• Aislinn
• Aitana
• Alaia
• Aminah
• Andi
• Briar
• Dalary
• Ellis
• Elora
• Harmoni
• Heavenly
• Kalani
• Kensington
• Lennox
• Lyra
• Meilani
• Noor
• Romina
• Royal
• Vienna
• Zaylee

Aidens Gonna Aid (2015)

Gosh darn it, I have got to stop scheduling vacations over Mothers' Day! Easy data first, while the toddler naps: the Aidens. 

Usual disclaimer: there are imported names that look like -aidens, but aren't properly pronounced as -aidens (Adán, Raiden, Nayden, and probably others). However, I have no way of knowing which pronunciation was intended, and chances are some parents are using them as -aidens anyway.

A:

• Aadan
• Aaden
• Aadin
• Aadon
• Aadyn
• Aaiden
• Aaidyn
• Aaydan
• Aayden
• Adan
• Aden
• Adin
• Adon
• Adyn
• Aedan
• Aeden
• Aedin
• Aedon
• Aedyn
• Aeyden
• Aidan
• Aiden
• Aidenn
• Aidin
• Aidon
• Aidyn
• Aidynn
• Aiyden
• Aydan
• Ayden
• Aydenn
• Aydin
• Aydon
• Aydyn
• Ayeden
• Ayiden

B:

• Baden
• Baiden
• Bayden
• Bladen
• Bladyn
• Blaiden
• Blayden
• Bradan
• Braden
• Bradin
• Bradon
• Bradyn
• Braedan
• Braeden
• Braedon
• Braedyn
• Braiden
• Braidon
• Braidyn
• Braydan
• Brayden
• Braydenn
• Braydin
• Braydon
• Braydyn
• Breiden
• Breydan
• Breyden
• Breydon

C:

• Cadan
• Caden
• Cadin
• Cadyn
• Caedan
• Caeden
• Caedon
• Caedyn
• Caidan
• Caiden
• Caidon
• Caidyn
• Caydan
• Cayden
• Caydin
• Caydon
• Caydyn
• Chaden
• Chayden
• Clayden

D:

• Daiden
• Dayden
• Draden
• Draeden
• Draedyn
• Draiden
• Drayden
• Dreydan
• Dreyden
• Dreydon

E:

• Eidan
• Eiden
• Eydan
• Eyden

F: none

G:

• Graden
• Gradyn
• Graeden
• Grayden
• Graydin
• Graydon
• Greyden
• Greydon

H:

• Haden
• Hadyn
• Haeden
• Haedyn
• Haiden
• Haidyn
• Haydan
• Hayden
• Haydin
• Haydon
• Haydyn
• Heyden

I: none

J:

• Jadan
• Jadein
• Jaden
• Jadeyn
• Jadin
• Jadon
• Jadyn
• Jaedan
• Jaeden
• Jaedin
• Jaedon
• Jaedyn
• Jaidan
• Jaiden
• Jaidin
• Jaidon
• Jaidyn
• Jaidynn
• Jaiyden
• Jaydan
• Jayden
• Jaydenn
• Jaydin
• Jaydon
• Jaydyn
• Jeydan
• Jeyden
• Jeydon
• Jhaiden
• Jhayden

K:

• Kaaden
• Kadan
• Kaden
• Kadin
• Kadon
• Kadyn
• Kaedan
• Kaeden
• Kaedin
• Kaedon
• Kaedyn
• Kaidan
• Kaiden
• Kaidenn
• Kaidin
• Kaidon
• Kaidyn
• Kaiyden
• Kaydan
• Kayden
• Kaydenn
• Kaydin
• Kaydon
• Kaydyn
• Keiden
• Khaden
• Khadin
• Khadyn
• Khaiden
• Khaidyn
• Khayden

L:

• Laden
• Ladon
• Laiden
• Layden
• Laydon

M: none

N:

• Nayden

O: none

P:

• Paden
• Paiden
• Payden

Q:

• Qaiden
• Quayden

R:

• Radin
• Raeden
• Raedyn
• Raidan
• Raiden
• Raidon
• Raidyn
• Raydan
• Rayden
• Raydin
• Raydon
• Raydyn
• Reydan
• Reyden

S:

• Seidon
• Shaden
• Shayden
• Sladen
• Slayden

T:

• Taden
• Taeden
• Taedyn
• Taiden
• Tayden
• Taydon
• Traden
• Traiden
• Trayden
• Treyden
• Treydon

U: none

V:

• Vaden
• Vaiden
• Vayden

W:

• Wayden

X:

• Xaden
• Xaeden
• Xaiden
• Xaidyn
• Xayden
• Xhaiden
• Xzaiden
• Xzayden

Y:

• Yaden
• Yaiden
• Yeiden

Z:

• Zaden
• Zadin
• Zadyn
• Zaeden
• Zaedin
• Zaedyn
• Zaidan
• Zaiden
• Zaidon
• Zaidyn
• Zaiyden
• Zaydan
• Zayden
• Zaydenn
• Zaydin
• Zaydon
• Zaydyn
• Zeyden
• Zhayden

3-Syllable mash-ups:

• Jacaden
• Jacaiden
• Jacayden
• Jakaden
• Jakaiden
• Jakayden
• Lakayden

In total, there were 281 -aiden names, comprising 3.68% of boys. That's one more spelling/name than last year, but still fewer boys by 0.25%.
(Previous years: 2014, 2013, 2012)

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Nora

Really? I haven't done Nora yet? Yikes, what an oversight! Nora is currently quite a popular name on its own, all over the world, but it was originally a nickname for Eleanor and related.

• Arnora (ar-NOR-ah, Norwegian)--from Old Norse, "eagle of Thor"
• Azenor (ah-ZEN-or, Breton)--French form is Azénor (ah-zay-NOR).
• Dainora (day-NOH-rah, Lithuanian)--poss. "wish to sing"
• Dianora (dee-ah-NOH-rah, Italian)--poss. a form of Eleanora
• Dinorah (dee-NOH-rah, Spanish, Italian)--poss. related to Arabic nur "light". Also spelled Dinora.
• Gunnora (goon-NOR-ah, [archaic] English)--from Old Norse, "spring battle" or "battle woman"
• Gwenora (gwen-OR-ah, Cornish)--form of Guinevere/Jennifer
• Honora (ah-NOR-ah, hah-NOR-ah, English, Irish)--from Latin, "honor". Other forms include Annora (an-NOR-ah, English), Enora (eh-NOH-rah, Breton, French), Honoria (ah-NOR-ee-ah, Latin), Honorata (ah-nor-AH-tah, Latin), Honorée (oh-noh-RAY, French), Honorina (ah-noh-REE-nah, Latin), Honorine (oh-noh-REEN, French), and Onóra (oh-NOR-ah, Irish).
• Nordis (NOR-dees, Norwegian)--"northern goddess"
• Norfrida (nor-FREE-dah, Norwegian)--"beautiful north"
• Norilda (nor-EEL-dah, Spanish)--poss. from Germanic "north battle"
• Norunn (NOR-oon [oo like in "took"], Norwegian, Swedish)--"northern wave"
• Norveig (NOR-vye, Norwegian; NOR-vay, Swedish)--"northern strength"
• Sonora (soh-NOR-ah, English)--poss. from Spanish señora "lady", or Mayan ts'onot "well, sinkhole"
• Vanora (vah-NOR-ah, English, Scottish)--poss. a form of Guinevere/Jennifer

International Names, Part 3b--English, Girls

Yeah, I know it's kind of silly of me to be doing this so shortly before the new SSA list comes out, but I kind of doubt the US Top 100 will change that much. Plus, the source lists are mixed between 2014 & 2015 anyway, since a few countries release theirs earlier than we do. ;)

Anyway, the names on all 8 Top 100s (to refresh: US, England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), from most --> least common overall:

1. Emily
2. Ava
3. Amelia
4. Mia
5. Sophia
6. Ella
7. Grace
8. Chloe
9. Lily
10. Sophie
11. Emma
12. Charlotte
13. Hannah
14. Lucy
15. Eva
16. Abigail
17. Ruby
18. Anna
19. Zoe
20. Layla
21. Alice
22. Elizabeth
23. Sarah

Eight names appear on 7 of the 8 lists:

1. Olivia
2. Isabella
3. Isla
4. Jessica
5. Scarlett
6. Leah
7. Harper
8. Rose

The US and Ireland are each missing 3--Isla, Jessica, & Rose from the US, and Olivia, Scarlett, & Harper from Ireland--while Australia is missing 2--Isabella & Leah (although it's not terribly surprising that E&W, N. Ireland, & Scotland have a lot of overlap). 

The "unique" names from each country (Top 50 & up):
US: Zoey (#22), Allison (#38), Camila (#41), Riley (#47), Skylar (#48)
Scotland: Eilidh (#22), Skye (#33)
Ireland: Clara (#38), Roisin (#37), Sadhbh (#44), Laura (#49)
New Zealand: Maddison (#35), Maia (#45)
Canada: Rosalie (#41), Maelie (#47), Juliette (#48)
Australia: Elle (#44), Madelaine (#50)

The US again had the most "unique" names--25 (unlike the boys' list, the US girls' list doesn't really have any Spanish influence; rather, it has several -leys); while Scotland had the least--4.
Canada & Ireland also had quite a few "unique" names (20 & 17, respectively), and as you probably could guess, it's due quite a bit to French names and Irish names. :)

International Names, Part 3a--English, Boys

I'm continually fascinated by the fact that name trends are not only local, but global. I intend to tackle the Top Names lists from all over the world, but for now, I'm comparing only the English-speaking countries.
There are 8 separate lists: U.S., England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand. From there I pulled out the names that appear on all Top 100 lists (yes, I was limited to Top 100s, as a few countries only published that much), and it's about what you'd expect:
(in approximate order most --> least common overall)

1. James
2. Noah
3. Jack
4. Oliver
5. Jacob
6. Ethan
7. Daniel
8. Mason
9. Thomas
10. Alexander
11. William
12. Lucas
13. Liam
14. Joshua
15. Samuel
16. Logan
17. Ryan
18. Benjamin
19. Matthew
20. Michael
21. Dylan
22. Luke
23. Leo
24. Joseph
25. Adam
26. Isaac
27. Jayden
28. Nathan
29. Henry
30. David
31. Tyler
32. Aaron

And 5 names appeared in 7 of the 8 Top 100s:

1.   Max
2.   Jackson
3.   Caleb
4.   John
5.   Blake

Ireland is the outlier, as only John & Max rank there. The US is missing Max, and England & Wales is (surprisingly) missing John.

I also found it interesting which names ranked only in one country (#50 & above, as the names really start to branch out the less popular you get):

US: Julian (#47), Isaiah (#48)
England & Wales: Muhammad (#14), Mohammed (#27), Finley (#36)
Scotland: Harris (#9), Brodie (#31)
Ireland: Rian (#35)
Australia: Nate (#43)
Canada: Alexis (#41), Mathis (#48), Antoine (#49)

In total, the US had the most "unique" names--18 (6 of which are Spanish or bi-cultural), while Australia had the least--5.