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Over the last century, fashionable names for girls have changed around the world: some remained at the top of the rankings for decades, while others became popular due to movies, music, and cultural trends. Good Housekeeping analyzed statistics from the U.S. Social Security Administration and determined which female name was the most popular each year, starting from 1920. In the 1920s and 1930s, the unchanging leader was the name Mary. Throughout the 1920s, the most popular female name in the U.S. remained Mary. It did not lose its top position in the following decade – throughout the 1930s. At that time, parents often chose traditional names. Other popular options included Dorothy, Helen, Margaret, Ruth, and Betty. The popularity of Mary was explained by its biblical origin and family traditions: it was often used to name grandmothers, mothers, and aunts. **In the 1940s, Mary gave way to Linda** Mary remained the most popular name until 1946. However, in 1947, it was surpassed for the first time in a long time by Linda, who held the top spot until 1952. The popularity of the name may have been influenced by the song "Linda," which became a hit in 1947. At the same time, the authors of the material note that the name's euphony and soft sound may have played a role. **In the 1950s, Mary regained the top spot** From 1950 to 1952, Linda remained the leader, but by 1953, Mary once again topped the rankings and did not relinquish the lead until the end of the decade. Among the popular female names of that time were also Susan, Karen, Donna, Patricia, and Barbara. The rankings also featured two variations of one name – Deborah and Debra. **In the 1960s, Lisa gained popularity** The name Mary last topped the rankings in 1960 and 1961. Overall, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, this name was the most popular 30 times during the century in question. In 1962, Lisa took first place, remaining the leader for eight consecutive years. Other popular names included Kimberly, Michelle, and Karen, while traditional names like Mary, Susan, and Linda gradually lost ground. **In the 1970s, Jennifer led the rankings for 15 years** In 1969, Jennifer was already among the top three most popular names, and in 1970, it took first place. It remained the leader until 1984. During this time, Jennifer became one of the most enduring leaders of the rankings. Other popular names of the decade included Amy, Melissa, Heather, and Angela. **In the 1980s, Jessica replaced Jennifer** After 15 years of leadership, Jennifer gave way to Jessica. She led the rankings from 1985 until the end of the decade. The name Jessica has literary origins: it is often associated with William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." Other popular names of that time included Ashley, Amanda, Sarah, and Brittany. **In the 1990s, Jessica, Ashley, and Emily competed for the top spot** At the beginning of the decade, Jessica topped the rankings. In 1991 and 1992, she was surpassed by Ashley, but from 1993 to 1995, Jessica regained first place. In 1996, Emily became the leader. She held the top position until 2007 – a total of 12 years. Other popular names of the 1990s included Anna, Samantha, and Sarah. **In the 2000s, Emma and Isabella gained popularity** Emily remained the most popular female name in the U.S. for the first eight years of the new millennium. Meanwhile, Madison entered the top three, whose popularity began to rise after the release of the film "Splash" in 1984. In 2008, Emma took first place, and the following year, she was replaced by Isabella. The rise in popularity of the latter name is often associated with the "Twilight" books and films, whose main character was named Bella. **In the 2010s, leadership shifted from Isabella to Olivia** In 2010, Isabella remained the most popular name. From 2011 to 2013, Sophia held the top spot, and from 2014 to 2018, it was Emma. In 2019, Olivia topped the rankings. Throughout the decade, Emma, Sophia, Isabella, and Ava regularly appeared in the top five. **In the 2020s, Olivia continues to hold the top spot** Olivia has topped the list of the most popular female names in the U.S. since 2019. According to the data presented in the material, she remained the leader for seven consecutive years – until 2025. In 2025, Charlotte took second place, surpassing Emma. The top five most popular names also included Amelia and Sophia. The authors of the material note that Charlotte and Amelia are gradually rising in the rankings. Modern parents, as the publication notes, are increasingly choosing names that combine a classic sound with a sense of novelty, reports the UNIAN agency.
