Baby Names: The Latest Trends to Keep an Eye On
Choosing the perfect name for your baby is a dilemma all parents face. Do you want something long and lyrical? Do you prefer a name that is short and sweet? Or, perhaps you want something 100% unique and intriguing. Naming your baby is not simple — lots of thought and dedication goes into this process. If you are looking for inspiration, here’s a collection of the latest trends in baby naming and how the tradition has changed throughout the years.
Why are names so important?
As the Romans said, Nome omen — the name is a sign. A name stays with a person from their first day on earth, until their very last. A name can boost a person’s confidence, help them make a positive first impression and, according to some studies, open the doors in life. So, if you find yourself panicking about the perfect name for your baby, don’t worry! Names are important and it’s only natural that you care so much about this decision.
Choosing a beautiful, catchy name is not enough. Throughout the world, names carry many meanings linked to culture, religion, and/or group belonging. For many parents, naming their children is a statement of individuality. When naming a baby, they seek to reflect their opinions about their passions, political ideas, or taste in music (hence Bowie, who topped baby name lists for many years). And it’s not just about the parents. Names are ways to power children through life by giving them something with a significant and unforgettable meaning.
Baby naming trends throughout the years
If you’ve been keeping up with baby name popularity lists, you might have seen Liam and Olivia in the first place for boys and girls. Liam maintains the same position from last year, while Olivia dethroned the ever-popular Emma, now in spot number two. What makes a name so popular all of a sudden? And why do names become old-fashioned? Nobody knows for sure, but there are some intriguing clues!
In many cases, names were influenced by historical events. In the 18th century, for example, America was fighting for its independence from Britain. Patriotic American parents started naming their children after key figures of the time such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Martha Dandridge (the maiden name of Washington’s wife).
But it wasn’t all about politics – popular culture and entertainment had something to do as well. In 1982, when Toto released the song, Rosanna, the name immediately shot up in popularity. Something similar happened with unconventional names such as Ariel, Candida, and Windy that wouldn’t normally rank high in popularity lists. Yet, after these songs left the Billboard’s hot ranking, the names began losing momentum. This was the past. What about nowadays?
Baby naming in the 21st century
Needless to say, things are a bit different nowadays. Parents don’t rely as much on popularity lists as before. They are choosing names that would have been considered unusual or new one century ago. And where do they get their inspiration? The answer is: everywhere. From their favorite celebrities and characters in the latest Hollywood blockbuster to mythological Gods and popular royals. Here are some of the most recent baby naming trends to give you a better idea.
Celebrity names
Many of us are mesmerized by the glamorous lives of celebrities. A name endorsed by celebrities is not too complicated or strange for parents to adopt. Perhaps, it is that uniqueness that makes them so appealing in the first place. So is the case of Keanu (Reeves) which, according to some reports, rose 24% in the popularity ranks with the releases of John Wick Chapter 3, Always Be My Maybe, and Toy Story 4.
Parents also tend to honor celebrities who passed away. This was the case after the tragic deaths of NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. By the year’s end, the name Kobe went up 175% on popularity lists while Gianna shot up 216%.
And it’s not just celebrities, but their children as well. It’s popular knowledge that celebrities give their children unusual and catchy names. The Kardashian family followed this tradition giving their children more than unique names like Stormi and Saint. Other celebrity names that continue winning parents’ hearts include Adele, Maisie, Octavia, Saoirse, Idris, Axl, and Scarlett.
TV and movies
TV shows are not just TV shows. Every now and then, a TV production becomes so widely popular that it reaches a special spot in our cultural consciousness. Game of Thrones is one of the best examples of this. The show, which amassed millions of viewers in the US and even more overseas, became a great source of inspiration for baby naming. The name Aria (the character played by Maisie Williams) hit the top 20 baby girls’ list. Olenna, Elaria, and Yara were also quite popular just a couple of years ago.
And what about movies? The Star Wars fever propelled the name Kylo to the top 1,000 list in 2016 and made it one of the fastest-climbing names in 2018. Cassian and Leia also sparked an interest. Here are other names if you are looking for inspiration: Ophelia, Creed, Anakin, Alice, Dorian, Harry, and Jay.
Royal fever
Anything to do with the British royal family is always welcome. There’s a good chance you’ve met a Louis, Anne, Elizabeth, or Charles throughout your lifetime. Special occasions and new additions to the family give these names a sudden bump. According to recent reports, Meghan rose 49% after the royal wedding. Archie was also a newly popular option for boys. Something similar happened with Eugenie and Jack. Looking forward to giving your baby a royal name? You would like to try: Charlotte, George, Catherine, William, Beatrice, James, Diana, or Peter.
Gender-neutral names
Younger generations continue defying gender norms and baby names are no exceptions. Non-binary or gender-neutral names are widely used these days for both baby girls and boys. Although many gender-neutral names tend to lean towards one gender or the other, the top non-binary names are used for both. Some examples, according to NameBerry.com, include Riley, Avery, Blake, Hayden, Taylor, Charlie, Angel, Blake, Jordan, and Peyton.
Going international
Parents are expanding their horizons and are borrowing names from other cultures. Maybe you already noticed that Middle Eastern and Indian names are having a breakthrough moment in the US with Aziel, Avanie, Dalia, Zahir, and Khalid rising through the ranks. Similarly, Scandinavian names like Bjorn, Thorn, Leif, Anders, Lars, Kai, and Magnus are becoming quite popular.
Vintage names
Vintage names are always there – they come and go, and that’s the beauty of it. Nowadays, millennial parents are digging deeper into the past to find classic names that feel stylish and fresh again. This explains why “old-man” and “old-lady” names such as Evelyn, Arthur, and Wallace are making a comeback. Other retro revivals include Flora, Maisie, Willa, Otis, Opal, Archie, Elijah, and Faye.
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