29 September 2023 , 10:21
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Deciding what to name your baby can be one of the hardest challenges any expecting parent faces. Knowing your baby is going to grow up with that moniker, it's important to choose something you won't regret.
There's no denying there has been a huge shift in baby name trends throughout the years, as parents are opting for more unusual and unique monikers rather than traditional names. Although it's common to see name trends influenced by different societal shifts - from huge celebrities and TV shows to 'cottage core', parents are starting to think about what message their names will give off.
"Today's parents are fixated on sending the right messages with the names they choose. The perfect baby name for 2024 is one that is ahead of the style curve, personally significant, and identity-defining," explains name expert and Nameberry creator Pamela Redmond. These are the baby names the experts predict will surge next year.
'Girl' names for boys
it has been reported that unisex names are on the rise, but names that would traditionally be seen as 'girl' names are now becoming popular names for boys too. This shift has been popular with celebs, as seen by Rihanna and A$AP Rocky who named their son Riot Rose, and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend naming their son Wren. Predicated popular names for 2024 are:
- Artemis
- Cleo
- Lotus
- Eden
- Fern
- Harlow
- Hazel
- Jade
- June
- Rose
- Willow
- Carmen
Feminist names
Experts predict parents are leaning towards feminist names for their daughters - giving a message of strength and femininity. The hugely popular Barbie film, steeped in feminist messaging, is set to influence choices as parents look for powerful meaning in their chosen monikers. The top feminist names are:
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- Arwen
- Billie
- Clover
- Conley
- Dahlia
- Eleanora
- Guinevere
- Kiara
- Lavender
- Palmer
- Mavis
- Melrose
- Theodora
Grown-up names
As any expecting parent will be told, they're choosing a name that the baby will grow up to have as an adult - so the 'cute' names might not age well. It's common to see celebrities and influencers choosing baby-ish names and viral examples include Elsie, Mars, and Koazy. Choosing a 'grown-up' name is a trend that experts calculate will surge, including:
- Arthur
- Agnes
- Betty
- Cedric
- Dolores
- Duncan
- Florence
- Georgina
- Marjorie
- Ray
- Stanley
- Sylvia
Airy, atmospheric names
Atmospheric names are on the rise and this trend appeals to younger parents, according to the experts. Names that bring to mind the sky - Aura, Cielo, and of course, Kylie Jenner's baby name, Aire, are poised to soar in the coming year. For example:
- Aero
- Aire
- Cielo
- Ice
- Lumi
- Lighting
- Rain
- Sky
- Soleil
- Snow
- Storm
- Zephyr
Naturally glamorous
Quiet and luxurious, these names will ooze glamour and class. The aesthetic names appear to be effortless and chic, and the 'old money' trend has made these names surge in popularity, such as:
- Archie
- Conrad
- Celia
- Estelle
- Gaia
- Harvey
- Mabel
- Magnus
- Petra
- Talia
- Thea
- Viola
Main character energy
These strong names that will need a strong owner - and parents who want their child to stand apart from the crowd. Eye-catching names are also on the rise. These include:
- Avalon
- Catalina
- Elio
- Everest
- Esmerelda
- Jetson
- Jiraiya
- Namari
- Neo
- Ophelia
- Raya
- Winry
Gentle parenting names
The rise in 'gentle parenting' techniques is set to influence 2024 parents' baby name choices. A soft and sensitive approach to a child's feelings can lead to high emotional intelligence. So parents are looking at mellow and softer sounding names. Such as:
- Alba
- Alfie
- Casper
- Clement
- Ellis
- Faye
- Koa
- Liana
- Luan
- Oona
- Oisin
- Rhea
- Willa
STEM names
Experts have seen an influx of names inspired by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Usually parents with an interest in STEM have used it as baby name inspiration. These include:
- Astra
- Darwin
- Hutton
- Kepler
- Kuiper
- Linnea
- Lumen
- Moon
- Mars
- Nova
- Octavia
- Seven
- Zenith
-Ai names
Names ending in -ai, not artificial intelligence, have increased in popularity among parents seeking a more unusual name. They are also names that tend to be easily translated, and popular with parents raising multicultural and/or multilingual children. Names such as:
- Adlai
- Azakai
- Jakai
- Kai
- Kenai
- Lorelai
- Masai
- Marsai
- Sai
- Shai
- Sakai
- Zai
Musical icon names
Rock and roll names are back, and for parents feeling nostalgic, these names are an edgy ode to some of the biggest stars. Experts believe enough time has passed for names such as Elvis to be put on the list. Some of these include:
- Arlo
- Cobain
- Collins
- Elton
- Elvis
- Graceland
- Joni
- Joplin
- Maybellene
- Nirvana
- Ozzy
- Pixie
- Zeppelin