Would you like to be the person who knows all of the best dance moves names and can execute all of them? At first, learning these steps may seem complex, even unattainable. In reality, almost everyone can learn to dance. It’s simply a matter of breaking each dance into individual steps and practicing until you get it right.
Most of us have watched in awe as an amazing dancer showed off their skills at a party. Have you also noticed that these dancers aren’t always the suavest or most athletic folks? Instead, they are often just normal people who enjoy dancing and having fun.
How do you gain the same skills and confidence? Take the first step by reading through this list of dance moves names and steps.
What is the Most Common Dance Move?
Different regions and cultures may have their own unique popular dance moves, but in general, some of the most popular dance move names include:
- Tango
- Waltz
- Cha cha
- Salsa
- Hip hop
- The Twist
- Tap
- The Robot
- The Electric Slide
- The Macarena
In this post, we’ll tell you all about what each of these names of dance moves means – and how you can get started groovin’ to the beat today. For now, consider signing up for dance lessons – and check out the myriad benefits of doing so by watching the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QlMn1d9B3A
Why Learn How to Dance?
Dancing is a popular social activity that allows people to enjoy events and connect with others. When you can execute cool dance moves, not only will you have a great time. People around you will enjoy themselves as well. Of course, dancing is also an excellent tool for making romantic connections.
Here are some other benefits of learning dance move names and their steps:
- Great physical activity
- Parties and events are more enjoyable
- It’s a healthy and productive hobby
- You can share dancing with friends or loved ones
- Learning to dance teaches you about other cultures
Think of dancing like playing a musical instrument. Start slowly and simply. Many of the most popular dance moves are easy enough to be done by a novice.
Ready to Start Dancing?
Here is a list of some of the coolest dance moves you can start practicing today. Some of these cool dance step names are popular classics. Others have just begun to trend.
The list mixes some dance steps that are designed to impress and others that are just for fun and nostalgia. Choose a few you’d like to start practicing today. You’ll enjoy the physical activity and impress your friends.
1. The Moonwalk
You can’t list iconic dance moves names without mentioning the moonwalk.
To execute this move, start with your feet aligned. Then slide your right foot back until it is directly behind your left, ending with only the ball of your right foot touching the floor. Now, slide your left foot back, but keep it flat on the floor. As you do this, shift your weight to your right foot. This approach allows your left foot to glide across the floor.
As soon as your left foot is behind your right, snap your left heel up and drop your right heel down.
2. The Floss
The floss is one the most popular dance move names of the last few years. It was featured on Saturday Night Live and the game Fortnite.
Start this stationary dance with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides, and hands in fists. Bend your knees slightly.
First, move both your arms together to the left. Your right arm should be in front of your body, and the left behind. As you do this, swing your hips to the right. Now, sweep both arms in front of your body and back to the right. This move will reorient your body to repeat the first move in the opposite direction.
3. The Dougie
The great thing about cool dance moves is you can personalize them. That’s what makes the Dougie so popular.
Start by simply swaying side to side with the beat. Step down alternately with your right and left foot as you sway. Feel free to tap or double tap on the third beat.
Now, add in your arm movements. Run your fingers through your hair, or pretend as if you are. Change hands and slightly shift your upper body as you sway from one side to the other.
4. Two-Step
This classic dance moves works with any song. Keep this in your list of popular dance moves names when you are trying to dance to music you don’t know.
Start with your legs together and step to the right with your right leg. Then step your left leg to the right, so your feet are together again. Repeat the move to the opposite side. Stay in rhythm with the music. Feel free to add arm moves like rolls, snaps, or claps.
5. Swing Dancing
One of the most popular dance steps names is swing. Swing dancing is full of acrobatics, leaps, and throws. However, you can get started with a few basic moves. Swing is a great dance to learn for wedding receptions and parties.
Begin with you and your partner holding hands. Now, let go of one hand and step apart. One partner will step with their right foot, and the other with their left.
Raise your hands that are still together. The leading partner can use their hand as leverage to spin their partner to the inside or outside. When the turn is complete, step back together and clasp hands.
6. Body Roll
When you think of dance moves names that are simple and a bit sexy, remember the body roll. This movement is popular in hip-hop dancing, Zumba, and club dance.
Start by looking up. Then, move your head, so you are looking at your chest. Pop your chest as you do this. Next, collapse your chest as you simultaneously push your hips forward. Now, bend your knees, and push your booty back.
7. Voguing
Start the vogue with your walk. The easiest move here is the catwalk. It’s simply a strut to the music on the balls of your feet. Now, add hands. Begin with simple face-framing movements and arm extensions.
8. The Robot
The robot, one of the most well-known dance moves names, is all about body isolation. Move one part of your body at a time, focusing on your upper body and head. Make each move sharp and precise, like a robot. Add a wobble after each motion to create the machinelike effect.
9. The Hustle
One of the iconic dance steps names, the hustle, is best learned through a video that breaks down the dance into easy to memorize steps. You can also look for a great dance instructor to walk you through things.
10. Popping and Locking
To learn to pop and lock, you should start by understanding what these dance moves names mean. Popping is a sharp move that you execute by tightening and relaxing your muscles as you move your body. Locking is stopping a movement abruptly then completing it.
11. Whip/Nae Nae
The whip begins with raising the left knee, forming a loose fist with the left hand, then punching forward. Now, pull your hand back and open it. It should be above your head to the side. Finally, step from your left to right foot while waving. Switch sides and repeat.
12. The Monastery
Start with your feet apart. Turn your knee in while twisting on the ball of your foot. Repeat with the other leg. Now, bounce down with each turn. As you do this, move your arms, so they accentuate each hip movement.
13. The Box Step
One of the fun and fitting dance moves names is the box step. This dance is the basic step for partner dancing. To lead, step forward with your left foot. Then step out with your right. Third, move your left foot so that it closes the distance between your feet.
Next, step back with your right. Then out with your left, and close the box you’ve drawn with your feet by bringing your right foot back in close. Followers start by moving their right foot back and mirroring the leader.
14. The Woah
Start this unique group of dance moves names with your hands in front of you, making alternating circles (counterclockwise and clockwise). Now turn to the side and make fists. Move your left hand down, and act as if you are grabbing a gear shift and downshifting. Form a fist with your right, twist back, and pull your fist down.
15. The Billy Bounce
Start the Billy Bounce with your feet apart, knees bent. Open and close your knees simultaneously. Once you get that, pick up each foot on alternating beats.
16. The Humpty Dance
One of the funniest dance moves names is the Humpty dance. Start the Humpty with a small jump as you crisscross your legs, then repeat. When your legs are apart, drop your butt down. Repeat the drop move several times before returning to the crisscross. Add in side-to-side arm waves.
17. The Prep
Start by turning your upper body to the side and rocking your shoulders back while slightly bending your knees. Now, turn on your heels, so you are facing the other side. The arm moves are palms up and raised just above your head level. Finally, push and pull your arms to and away from your body in an upward diagonal motion.
18. Outside Partner Step
The outside partner step is one of the popular dance moves names for couples. It begins with your and your partner’s upper bodies in close contact, but each turned to the left. Now, each partner steps their right foot forward and crosses it in front of their left. At the end of the step, the partners should have stepped to the outside of the other.
19. The Basic Cha-Cha
The basic cha-cha is easy to learn. It is two slow forward steps followed by three fast steps. With a partner, one person does the same steps, only backward.
20. The Bust Down
The bust down is one of the recent easy, and popular dance moves from the rap and hip-hop genres. Grab the front of your waistband with one hand. Take your other hand and hold it over your head off to the side. As you wave that hand, bounce, swivel, and rotate your hips.
21. The Hype
Turn to the side and lift your outside knee to just below waist level. Now kick that foot forward in time to the beat. As you do this, lift the arm on the same side up and do an upward fist pump in time with your kicks.
22. The Booty Pop
This step is one of many dance moves names that has a lot of feminine energy. Start by bending both knees. Twist your upper body to one side, and grab your upper leg with both hands. As you twist, pop your opposite hip.
23. The Something New
These trending dance moves are on the new tops lists of TikTok popular dance move names. Begin by putting one arm in front of your chest, elbow facing outward. Now, move like you are elbowing the person next to you. Drop that arm, and repeat with your other arm. Finish with a shoulder shimmy.
24. Alors on Danse
Like many cool dance moves, this is another TikTok challenge. The arm movements are simply in front of your body with your fists moving together and apart, and your elbows bent. As you do this, turn slightly from one side to the other.
25. Jacking
Jacking is simply leaning forward at the waist and rapidly shimmying your shoulders back and forth. Next, lean backward and repeat. You’ll see these popular dance moves in many choreographed videos.
What Are Some Hip Hop Dance Moves Names?
Hip hop dance is a vibrant and dynamic art form that has taken the world by storm. With its high energy, expressive style, and creative choreography, it is no wonder that more and more people are drawn to the world of hip hop dance.
One of the key features of hip hop dance is the use of specific dance moves that are integral to the style.
Let’s take a closer look.
1. The Running Man
This move became popular in the late 1980s and involves running in place while crossing your feet back and forth. It is a classic move that can be seen in numerous hip hop music videos and dance performances.
2. The Worm
This move involves lying on your stomach and moving your body forward in a wave-like motion. It is a challenging move that requires a lot of flexibility, but it is a crowd pleaser that is sure to impress.
3. The Cabbage Patch
This dance move involves hopping from one foot to the other while moving your arms in a circular motion as if you are stirring a pot of cabbage. It is a fun and simple move that is perfect for beginners.
4. The Harlem Shake
This move originated in the 1980s in Harlem and involves a series of movements that include jumping, jerking, and shaking your body. It can be done alone or in a group and is a high energy move that is perfect for parties.
5. The Electric Slide
This move originated in the 1970s and involves a series of steps that are done in sync with the music. It is a fun and upbeat move that can be done at weddings, parties, and other social events.
6. The Pop and Lock
This move involves contracting and relaxing your muscles in time with the music. It is an intricate move that requires a lot of practice, but it is a popular move in hip hop and is often used by breakdancers.
7. The Twerk
This move involves moving your hips and bottom in a bouncing or shaking motion. It became popular in the early 2010s and has been used in numerous music videos and dance performances.
What Are Some Ballet Dance Moves Names?
Ballet is a classic, elegant dance form that has inspired romanticism, grace, and beauty through decades. Its distinguished style has evolved over the years, marked by iconic moves.
Ballet movements are many, and some even have names that can be instantly recognized by the ballet enthusiast. Here are the top ones.
1. Plié
The plié is a crucial move used in most ballet routines. It’s done by bending the knees and lowering the hips.
There are two kinds of plié you should know about: grand plié where you bend your knees completely, and demi plié, where the bend is half as deep. It’s worth mentioning that plié exercises are beneficial in building leg strength, hip flexibility, and good posture.
2. Pirouette
A pirouette is a term derived from the French word “to whirl,” and that’s exactly what it means. In a pirouette, a ballet dancer turns around an axis on one foot, with the other leg raised to the knee height.
Beginner’s tip: keep your eyes fixed on one point throughout the turn to avoid losing balance.
3. Arabesque
Are you familiar with those graceful poses where the dancer stands on one foot, while extending their other leg backward? That is precisely what an arabesque entails. The dancer has to develop a good sense of balance as they stretch their leg as high as possible.
4. Pas de deux
Pas de deux is a French term that translates to “step for two.” It’s an essential move in ballet, wherein a pair of dancers perform together. It’s usually a duet but can be a trio or group dance too.
Pas de deux is the truest representation of ballet’s romantic origins. One of the most famous pas de deux routines is from the Nutcracker ballet, between the Sugarplum Fairy and Prince.
5. Grand Jeté
A grand jeté is a moving jump in which the dancer’s legs do a split mid-air. It’s usually executed with grace and power, covering a long distance by taking off from one leg and landing on the other. Grand jeté requires a speedy run, a powerful plié, and strong leg muscles to execute the move correctly.
Top Trending Dance Moves Names
The world of dance is expansive, covering everything from classical ballet to jazz funk, and everything in between.
One of the latest trends in dance are short, catchy routines that are easy to learn, fun to do, and most importantly, great to film and share. Welcome to the world of TikTok dance moves names!
1. Renegade
The Renegade dance originated in a user-generated video created by Georgia teen Jalaiah Harmon. It quickly became a viral sensation, and now is one of the most popular dance moves on TikTok.
The move involves a series of hand and arm movements, including a clapping motion and a “woah” move. It’s fast-paced and requires some coordination, but once you master it, you’ll have a new signature dance move.
2. Say So
The Say So dance was inspired by Doja Cat’s hit song of the same name. It involves a sequence of hip-swishing and shoulder-shrugging moves while mouthing the words to the song. It’s a sassy and playful dance that exudes confidence and self-assuredness. Plus, it’s a great workout for your lower body.
3. Savage
The Savage dance, another viral sensation on TikTok, is set to Megan Thee Stallion’s popular song “Savage.” The dance involves several different moves, including a kick, body roll, and arm wave. The Savage is fierce and confident, making it a popular dance move for the bold and the brave.
4. Blinding Lights
The Blinding Lights dance was made popular by TikTok user @macdaddyz, who created the dance in response to The Weeknd’s hit song “Blinding Lights.” It’s a more upbeat and playful dance, involving a series of foot-tapping and arm movements.
The Blinding Lights dance is great for a quick pick-me-up, and the song’s infectious melody is sure to put a smile on your face.
5. Can’t Touch This
The Can’t Touch This dance is a throwback to MC Hammer’s iconic dance from the 80s. It’s a fun, lighthearted dance that involves a series of classic Hammer moves, including the side-to-side step and the infamous hammer pants. The Can’t Touch This dance is perfect for a little bit of nostalgia and a lot of fun.
Break Dance Moves Names
Are you a fan of break dancing and always wanted to learn the moves? You have come to the right place! Break dancing not only requires physical skill but also creativity, fun and games, and personality. Each move has its own unique name that reflects its essence.
1. Windmill
The windmill is a classic break dance move that requires upper body and core strength. The name “windmill” derives from the circular motion of the legs resembling the blades of a windmill.
To perform the windmill, you need to start in a turtle freeze position and swing your legs over your torso while rotating your arms in a circular motion. With practice, you can increase your speed and make the windmill look more graceful.
2. Flare
The flare is a dynamic and flashy move that is sure to impress anyone watching. The name “flare” refers to the way your legs flare out in opposite directions while you rotate your body around in a circle.
To perform the flare, you need to keep your hands and upper body stable, kick your legs up high, and then sweep them around in a full circle. It takes a lot of core strength and balance, so be prepared to work on those areas with some targeted exercises.
3. Suicide/Coffin
The suicide, also known as the coffin, is a daring move that involves flipping over and landing on your back. The name “suicide” comes from the impression that you are throwing yourself to the ground without regard for your safety.
To perform the suicide, you need to jump high and then tuck your legs up to your chest while flipping backward and landing on your back. Make sure you practice on a soft surface and progress gradually to avoid any injuries.
4. Swipe/Hand Glide
The swipe, also known as the hand glide, is a smooth and flowing move that requires precision and control. The name “swipe” refers to the way your arm swipes across the floor while supporting your body weight.
To perform the swipe, you need to balance on one hand while the other hand glides across the floor with your legs extended behind you. Make sure you keep your body straight and your weight evenly distributed to avoid tipping over.
5. Airflare
The airflare is a jaw-dropping move that involves multiple rotations in the air while balancing on your hands. The name “airflare” reflects the fact that you are flying through the air like a bird.
To perform the airflare, you need to start in a handstand position and then swing your legs over your head while rotating your arms and hips in a circular motion. With practice, you can add more rotations and make the airflare look even more impressive.
Funny Dance Move Names
Dancing is so much fun, whether you’re cutting a rug at a club or grooving at home in your sweatpants. But did you know that many dance moves have ridiculous, hilarious, or just plain weird names?
From the “floss” to the “shopping cart,” the dance floor is full of unusual terms and quirky steps. Let’s take a closer look at some of the funniest dance move names you’ve probably never heard of!
1. The Sprinkler
This classic move involves holding one arm out straight and flailing it back and forth like a sprinkler head. It’s a simple but effective way to blend in with any crowd, and the kids always love it. Plus, it’s a great way to cool off on a hot day!
2. The Lawnmower
Imagine you’re starting up your mower and pulling it back and forth to cut the grass. That’s the inspiration for this dance move, which requires you to stand with your feet apart and simulate the motion of mowing the lawn with your hands.
If done right, it can look like you’re really doing yard work while grooving to the beat.
3. The Shopping Cart
Have you ever been to the grocery store and pushed a cart around? Of course you have.
Well, now you can bring that experience to the dance floor. The shopping cart involves pushing an invisible cart with one hand while the other hand grabs items off the shelves and tosses them in. It’s a silly move, but it’s sure to make people smile.
4. The Gas Pedal
Do you like cars? Do you like dancing? Then the gas pedal is for you. This move involves stepping forward as if pressing down on a gas pedal, then stepping back and repeating with the other foot. It can be done slowly or quickly, depending on the speed of the music, and it’s a great way to show off your fancy footwork.
5. The Macarena
OK, OK, you’ve probably heard of the Macarena. But do you know what it actually means? The Macarena is a Spanish dance that originated in the ’90s, and the lyrics of the song describe a woman who is cheating on her boyfriend with two other men.
So, the next time you hear that catchy beat, think twice before you start doing the signature hand motions!
Learn Popular Dance Moves from a Skilled Instructor
Now you have 25 of the best dance moves names to memorize. These are engaging, trending, or classic dance steps that are great fun to do solo or with a partner. How can you master this dance moves list?
You can get started by watching YouTube videos and copying the steps you see. It’s fun, and you will pick up some cool dance moves. However, to add polish to your dance steps, you might need help from a professional dance instructor. They will keep you motivated and provide you with the information you need to truly master some amazing dances.
Phina Pipia