Meet Summer McKinny: The 2025 American Girl of the Year!

In addition to the most popular names, the SSA also identified the “fastest-rising” names. These names are used very rarely, but they’ve been shooting up the charts. Choosing the perfect name for your baby is an exciting yet challenging task for any parent. In a world where individuality and uniqueness are cherished, and just like the names below, many parents are seeking names that stand out from the crowd. Helen is Deputy Editor of MadeForMums, the author of Parenting for Dummies (Wiley, £17.99).

American Girl fans are in for a sweet surprise with the early arrival of the 2025 Girl of the Year Summer McKinny. Growing up with her family in Columbia, MD, 10-year old Summer is a dog lover and baker who turns her two passion projects into a budding business. Kids of all ages are sure to love Summer, her animal friends, baked treats and her entrepreneurial spirit, too.

It’s important to choose a name you feel fits your child best. Please note that popular names listed below are not necessarily consistently popular in every year. For example, the name James, ranked as the most popular male name over the last 100 years, has been ranked as low as number 19. Similarly, the most popular female name in the table, Mary, ranked as low as 135. Finally, the SSA data shows a balance between tradition and innovation. While classic names remain popular, there’s also a strong move towards names that are new and distinctive, offering a perfect mix for parents seeking the best of both worlds.

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So, what names did we see more of in the last year, and what trendy boy names do we expect to be on the rise for the future? When we scoured the popular naming trends for this year and next, these were the ones that rose to the top. So sit back and relax with our list of cool boy names and you just might find a new favorite or two. Some of the “K” names that were affected by this alteration include Kameron, Kane, Khalid, Kian, Kobe, and Kyle, which all dropped significantly. In addition to these, other names like Arjun, Nehemiah, Rory, Royce, and Walter are also witnessing a decline.

No refunds or adjustments on previous purchases or orders in progress that have not yet shipped. Offer is subject to change at the discretion of American Girl®. Our pet-loving, treat-baking American Girl® Girl of Year™ 2025 Summer McKinny™ brightens every day with adventures your girl will love! Summer’s™ world comes to life with an 18-inch large doll as well as doll accessories, playsets, and clothing for girls and dolls. Plus, furry four-legged friends add to the fun, especially Summer’s always playful, sometimes problem-making pets—Crescent™ and Fettuccine™.

This year, names like Kylo (inspired by Star Wars) and Loki (from Marvel’s universe) have seen increased use, merging fandoms with real-life trends. Several names have seen a significant rise in popularity this year. Names like Arlo, Finn, and Atticus are climbing the charts, capturing the interest of modern parents. These names are unique yet familiar, offering a fresh alternative to more traditional options.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family. The category of Irish baby boy names is full of individual names straight out of Irish legends and folktales, with names derived and inspired by saints, warriors and kings of old. The time of year also had an impact for baby girls, with Autumn and Summer increasing in popularity, particularly during their respective seasons; both names were in the top 100. In December the names Holly, Robyn and Joseph were more popular. Some parents will name their child the same first name as the father, but call them by their more unique middle name to help differentiate between the two. Or some families use different names completely, but choose ones that have similar meanings or sounds to honor the original name.

They bring a sense of timelessness while still resonating in contemporary settings. Sports figures are a perennial favorite (the year Derek Jeter retired from the New York Yankees, “Jeter” was in the top 10 male dog names), so it’s not surprising to see “Kobe” on the list. Outdoor activity-inspired names like “Moose” or “Harley” are another popular theme. You might meet a “Whiskey,” “Mochi,” or “Oreo” on your daily walks. And at least 20 percent of dogs have traditionally human names like “Max,” “Cooper,” or “Charlie,” which figure high in our list.

The doll wears a rainbow dress, pink-and-purple ombre glasses, two beaded bracelets, and colorful sandals with platform soles. Summer joins the brand’s line of contemporary characters that “represent a wide range of backgrounds and interests to reflect what it means to be an American girl today,” said the company in a release. Growing up in Columbia, Md., 10-year-old Summer is a dog lover and baker who turns her two passions into a business of her own.