Barbie film inspires new parents as searches for doll baby names skyrocket

12 August 2023 , 14:30

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The hit movie has been inspiring parents-to-be (Image: Jaap Buitendijk)

It's fair to say that the smash hit Barbie movie has proven to be the film of the summer, inspiring everything from fashion trends to post-film break-ups, and it looks as though its influence could be even more far-reaching than was first assumed. Now baby name experts have revealed that parents-to-be have been expressing increased curiosity about the names Barbie and Ken ever since July 21, the date the now widely beloved film hit cinemas.

As per intriguing data published by the baby name website, Nameberry, searches for the name "Barbie" have soared by an astonishing 603 per cent since the hot pink-filled trailer first dropped back in April, while the name "Ken" has also seen a very impressive 293 per cent increase in terms of page views.

Nameberry editor-in-chief Sophie Kihm told PEOPLE: "Barbie and Ken are piquing parents' interest, but this doesn't mean that will translate into actual usage. As of now, Barbie is a predominant Amish name." Kihm elaborated on this connection further in a recent TikTok video, explaining that Barbara - the formal name for Barbie - is about to drop out of the top 1,000, and the name is now only given "a handful of times each year". In studies that collect Amish names, however, Barbara has regularly been found to be among the most commonly used names for Amish girls.

Although it's clear interest has grown in these two names, Kihm doesn't believe this data will necessarily translate to the real world beyond Barbieland, with Barbie and Ken still very much regarded as dated, unfashionable names that may well have a far way to go before they can be viewed as "vintage".

In the same exclusive interview, Kihm explained: "Barbie and Ken are both dated names that aren't due to come back yet, so while there may be a slight bump from the movie, neither will be among the most popular baby names of 2023." As of 2023, Barbie was ranked 1,896 out of 2,000 popular girls' names, while Kenneth — the name that is most commonly shortened to Ken — sat at number 113 in a list of 2,000 popular boys' names.

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Julia Banim