Random name generator Random girl names
Girls' names that people were really given
A made-up name list is easy to find. A list of names that real parents wrote on real birth forms is harder. These first names come from the Social Security Administration, which counts the names given to girls born in the United States from 2010 to 2024. Only names given to at least 500 girls in that period are included, so there are about 900 names, from Emma and Olivia at the top to rarer ones such as Harmony and Anastasia.
Writers use the page when a character needs a name that does not sound like a template. Gamers use it for a new hero, a shopkeeper or a team member in a game with no preset names. Parents use it for fun, to see what turns up before they start a serious list. Since the names are real, you will not get fantasy spellings that nobody has ever worn.
The list has two sides. Popular is the 200 names that were given most often, the Avas and Charlottes of any school. Less common reaches into the 700 names below that, and it is where interesting names for characters live. The page starts on Popular; switch How common to All to mix both.
Advertisement
Getting a girl's name
- The page opens with Girl and First name already chosen. Press Generate a first name to see one name.
- Raise How many to get a batch, up to 20. Names are not repeated while No repeats is on in Options.
- Open Options to switch between Popular and Less common, or to change Girl to Boy or Any.
- Copy the list with Copy, or find a name you skipped in History.
Advertisement
Questions about girls' names
Where do the names come from?
From the Social Security Administration's baby name counts for 2010 to 2024, which are in the public domain. A name needs at least 500 girls in that period to be on the list.
Does it give last names?
The page is set to first names only. Open Options and change Name to Full name to add a surname from the US Census list.
Can I get unusual names?
Pick Less common under How common. These are real names given to fewer girls, such as Brooklynn or Elliana, so they feel distinctive without being invented.
Are the names suitable for fantasy characters?
Many work as they are, and some writers change a letter or add a title. If you want a name with an invented sound, take two or three drawn names and mix the beginnings and ends.
Is every name only for girls?
The list is the one counted as girls in the birth records. Some names, such as Avery or Riley, are used for boys as well, so pick Any if you want both.
Advertisement
Other ready-made name generators
- American namesFirst names from US birth records, surnames from the Census.
- British namesFirst names from the baby name statistics of England and Wales.
- Last names onlySurnames from the US Census or four other countries on the list.
- Random boy namesReal boys' first names from US birth records
- Random baby namesBoys' and girls' names from US birth records, to start a shortlist
More random tools
- Spin the wheelType a list, spin, get one winner.
- Random name pickerDraw one or more names, with no repeats.
- Team generatorSplit a list into fair random teams.
- Secret Santa generatorGift draw by private links, no email needed.
- Yes or no wheelA quick yes, no or maybe.
- Random letter generatorA starting letter for Scattergories.
- Random country generatorA country from any continent, with flag and capital.
- Random word generatorNouns, verbs or adjectives, easy or harder, for drawing too.
- Random Bible verseA well-known verse at random, or the verse of the day.
- Random city generatorA town or city from 12 countries, Europe or the world.
- Random date generatorA date, month, day of the week or time of day.
- Random color generatorA random color with its HEX, RGB and HSL code.
- Random number pickerDraw one or many numbers from any range, no repeats.
- Bingo caller75 or 90 balls, read aloud, with a board for the projector.
- Printable bingo cards75, 90 or word cards, all different, with IDs.
- Raffle ticket generatorNumbered tickets with a stub, ready to print.
- Random seating chartRows of desks, shuffled seats, pairs kept apart.