2020 Baby Boy Names - Rising Stars
May 15, 2021
What were the fastest-growing baby boy names of 2020?
To make this list, we looked through the entire history of U.S. baby names going back to 1880. We calculated how likely it was for a baby name to grow from year to year. These were the names whose growth from 2019 to 2020 was the most remarkable based on historical precedent.
#1: Kobe
2019 births: 499
2020 births: 1500
There are about 18,562 people named Kobe in the United States, almost all of whom were born after Kobe Bryant became famous. You could say Kobe Bryant was someone who literally "made his name."
The tragic helicopter accident which killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna resulted in their names topping our lists of fastest-growing baby names for both boys and girls.
#2: Kylo
2019 births: 233
2020 births: 657
Inspired by the "Star Wars" character who went from villain to hero in the 2019 movie "The Rise of Skywalker". The name Leia is also having a moment. Yoda, not so much.
#3: Jaxtyn
2019 births: 167
2020 births: 469
#4: Aziel
2019 births: 223
2020 births: 585
#5: Ander
2019 births: 183
2020 births: 424
#6: Jakobe
2019 births: 129
2020 births: 269
#7: Zyair
2019 births: 107
2020 births: 222
Alternate spelling of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A different spelling, Zyaire, appeared on our 2019 list.
Mobutu Sese Seko, former dictator of Zaire
#8: Karsyn
2019 births: 191
2020 births: 361
Carson, but with a K. And a Y.
#9: Dior
2019 births: 138
2020 births: 258
#10: Archie
2019 births: 381
2020 births: 630
The growth in this name can be attributed to the birth of young Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in 2019, currently seventh in line to the British throne.
Archie's parents, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
#11: Loyal
2019 births: 106
2020 births: 190
#12: Truett
2019 births: 131
2020 births: 226
#13: Emir
2019 births: 236
2020 births: 408
Emir is the title for a prince or ruler in some Islamic nations.
Coat of arms of the emirate of Dubai
#14: Natanael
2019 births: 94
2020 births: 176
#15: Kacey
2019 births: 71
2020 births: 161
#16: Dakari
2019 births: 244
2020 births: 390
#17: Anakin
2019 births: 222
2020 births: 354
Another Star Wars name!
#18: Ledger
2019 births: 268
2020 births: 425
#19: Kenji
2019 births: 155
2020 births: 245
#20: Kenzo
2019 births: 334
2020 births: 516