2019 List Predictions {Top 1000}

Making the top 1000 predictions for the new SSA name lists are one of my favorite posts to make. The lists usually involve the more unique names and a lot of times names that I like. I only do 9-10 name predictions but close to 100 names enter the top 1000 list each year.

Taking a look at last years list I made 9 predictions for each gender and got 3/9 right for boys and 4/9 right for girls. I did not do so well but that is no surprise. 

Alistair- Given to 204 baby boys in 2018

A names are a trend for girls and I can see them being a trend for boys. Alistair has a lot to love. It is a name with history and has a grand feeling. I can see people picking the name for sure. With the #1000 baby boy name (Markus) being given to 206 babies in 2018 there is a high possibility Alistair makes the list this year.

Kolten- Given to 204 baby boys in 2018

Americans enjoy spelling names in unique ways. Kolten is for sure a unique way to spell Colten. I can see this name jumping into the top 1000 because of the spelling and because every year there are a handful of uniquely spelled names that pop into the top 1000. 

Evander- Given to 189 baby boys in 2018

Evander is a name that I have been hoping would make it onto the top 1000 list for some time now. He fits with names like Alexander and Evander. The name is easy to spell and pronounce. It is a Greek mythology name also. Maybe this year the name will finally make it onto the top 1000 list., 

Boaz- Given to 177 baby boys in 2018

Bo- names are a trend that I love and I am seeing more and more. Boaz fits not only into that trend but also into the biblical names trend that is always around. It has a sharp Z ending that attracts parents to names like Ezra. This would make a nice additions to the top 1000. 

Arrow- Given to 172 baby boys in 2018

Word names are all the rage right now. You can skim through the top 1000 and find word names throughout. Arrow is a favorite of mine and I would love to see more people use it. You can see this as a positive word name because although arrows are pulled back they still go on. 

Noble- Given to 161 baby boys in 2018

I see virtue names being used and loved among the naming community. Now I wonder if that has trickled down into everyday parents. I can see Noble being a name gaining a spot on the top 1000 for his simple one syllable sound and the virtue accept. 

Honorable Mentions: Bear, Rio, Bastian, and Kooper

Luz- Given to 257 baby girls in 2018

Luz is a name that was in the top 1000 in the early 2000s until about 2016. Some might find it dated but I think it is fresh to the ears. I think her short and to the point nature. Maybe she will gain some popularity this year. 

Chandler- Given to 256 baby girls in 2018

Chandler has been in the top 1000 a few years in the past. Her boy name turned girl name surname vibe is still around today. She is sitting right outside the top 1000 so I can see her gaining enough spots to sit in the charts. 

Indie- Given to 249 baby girls in 2018

Indie is one of the names that I have been hoping will jump into the top 1000 for years and hasn't. I feel as if I heard love for this name all the time yet she sits out of reach. She has a place name vibe as well has the boho theme going for her. Maybe this year is the year she will finally make it into the charts. 

Jovie- Given to 246 baby girls in 2018

Jovie is a modern virtue name, although I do not think a lot of people realize that. She is 2 syllables and ends int he -ee sound with a sharp V middle sound. It surprises me that the popularity of the movie Elf has not made this name more popular. Maybe the parents who fondly remember watching this movie when they were younger will pick the name. 

Elodie- Given to 243 baby girls in 2018

I am pretty sure I have been rooting for Elodie to jump onto the top 1000 name list for a few years now. She fits in with the other El- names and has a beautiful, lyrical sound to her, I have not been able to pinpoint why the name isn't on the top 1000. Crossing my fingers 2019 is her year. 

Flora- Given to 242 baby girls in 2018

Last year I had Flora on my predictions list and I am doing the same this year, There are a few things that can appeal to families about the name. The -ora ending is beautiful and princess like. Add in the fact that the name is a vintage beauty and there is no other reason why this name won't make the top 1000 list. 

Honorable Mentions: Emerald, Winnie, Marlowe, and Seraphina

2019 List Predictions {Top 100}

Predicting the new names to the top 100 is my second favorite prediction list to make during this time. It's easier to make than the top 10 but harder than the top 1000. I have less chances of getting these right than I do of the top 1000. We are just days away from the release so I am getting these in just in time.

Let's start by taking a look at my predictions from last year. I made 5 main predictions and 3 honorable mentions for each gender. I had 2/8 right for the boys and 3/8 right for the girls. I am going to add some of the names to my prediction list this year and do the same number of predictions. 

Declan (#101)

From 2017 to 2018 Declan gained 14 spots and now sits one spot outside the top 100. The name has been hanging out just under the top 100 for a few years now but last year was the closest it came to being in the top 100. The soft sound and Irish vibes of this name make it easy to love. This name could go either way. 

Micah (#103)

Micah was one of my predictions for last year that did not make the top 100 list. It did however rise in popularity just a little. Now it sits right outside the top 100. Micah appeals to the parents who like Noah but want something less popular. Both names are biblical and end in -ah. 

Luca (#106)

Like Micah, Luca was a predictions I made for last years list that did not quite make it. From 2017 to 2018 the name jumped 24 spots. People adore A ending boy names more and more each year making me think Luca will earn his spot in the top 100 this year. 

Silas (#110)

Biblical names are loved and popular and have been for centuries. Silas is one of the more modern sounding biblical names. Add in the fact that it ends in -S and I can see more and more parents using it. From 2017 to 2018 the name moved up 10 spots and if it does the same this year it will be in the top 100. 

Kai (#113)

Kai is the last name prediction that is a leftover from last year. The name jumped 13 spots from 2017 to 2018 and that is all it would need to gain his spot in the top 100. Just taking a look back at Kai's movements on the top 1000 chart you can see the name has done nothing but climb up since the 1970s. 

Honorable Mentions: Kingston (#117), Bennett (#120), and Ryker (#122)

Clara (#103)

Clara was almost an honorable mention for me because she has been slowly going down in popularity for a few years now. I added her to the list because I think parents are looking for vintage names more than a few years ago. With her sitting just outside the top 100 anything can happen. 

Adalynn (#108)

If you take a look at the top 100 or even the top 1000 you will see that Ad- names are popular throughout for girls. Adalynn has many spelling but this is the most popular. If you combine her beginning with her end you get a name that covers multiple trends. 

Raelynn (#115) 

Raelynn is one of the leftover names from last year's predictions. Although she only gained 9 spots last year the previous years she gained 34 spots. With her southern charm and -lynn ending I can see her earning a spot in the top 100 for 2019. 

Athena (#117)

A names have been an ongoing trend for girl names for some time now. I am adding Athena to the list because of her A beginning but also because of her association with Greek mythology. I also can't leave out the fact that she has been gaining popularity since the 2000s. 

Arya (#119)

Because of Game of Thrones the name Arya earn a spot on the list. She is an alternative spelling to the much more popular Aria. I think between the beloved show and desire for a less popular spelling the name Arya could make it to the top 100 this year. The name is a leftover from last year and from 2018 to 2019 she gained 16 spots. 

Honorable Mentions: Hadley (#104), Jade (#111), and Eliza (#131)

2019 Predictions {Top 10}

We are quickly coming up on the best time of the year for namers. The new SSA name list comes out on Friday. For those that do not know what the SSA name is it is the social secretary list of names popular for each year. Some namers call this the namer's Christmas and I could not agree more. I am so committed to this list release that I requested off from work 7 months ago and will be up with the sun waiting for it. If that doesn't say name obsession I don't know what does!

I will be spending the week working on making predictions for the new list coming out. This will be my fourth year doing this and although I am not the best I find it super fun. Predicting the top 10 name list is something I didn't start until last year. It seems so hard to pick the names and be on point because they don't change as often as the rest of the list. 

Top 2018 List 

Boys

1. Liam

2. Noah

3. William

4. James

5. Oliver

6. Benjamin

7. Elijah

8. Lucas

9. Mason

10. Logan

Girls 

1. Emma

2. Olivia 

3. Ava

4. Isabella

5. Sophia

6. Charlotte

7. Mia

8. Amelia

9. Harper

10. Evelyn

My Predictions for the 2019 top 10

Boys

1. Liam 

2. Noah

3. William

4. Oliver

5. James

6. Benjamin

7. Elijah

8. Lucas 

9. Michael

10. Mason

Girls

1. Emma

2. Olivia

3. Ava

4. Sophia

5. Charlotte

6. Isabella

7. Amelia

8. Harper

9. Mia

10. Elizabeth

The top 4 boy names were unchanged from 2017 to 2018 and I think the top 3 will stay the same but Oliver will gain more popularity this year. I see Logan falling off the top 10 list this year and Michael possibly jumping back on. Michael is my wildcard guess. 

On the girls list the top 3 names did not change so I am keeping it the same for this year. I think Harper will rise up the chart and Evelyn will fall off. Elizabeth is my wildcard this year. 

Stay tune for the list to be release Friday May 8, 2020!