If you’re a soon-to-be parent looking for a hip moniker for your bundle of joy, consider plucking one from this year’s list of top trending baby names.
BabyCenter recently released its report on the “Top Baby Names of 2023,” with the trends that led the way this year for expectant parents.
“You know the saying ‘life imitates art’? It turns out that baby names also imitate (musical) art … and movies, and trending TV shows,” said BabyCenter, an online media company under the Everyday Health Group – Pregnancy & Parenting (EHG P&P), based in San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
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“In 2023, noteworthy trends in baby names include nicknames used as first names, girl names from ‘Barbie’ and ‘Wednesday’ taking off, and names inspired by sports documentaries like ‘Beckham’ and ‘Messi Meets America.’”
Here are a few highlights from 2023’s hottest trends in baby names.
BabyCenter has shared its report about the hottest trends in the baby name list this year — and pop culture has come out on top. (Neal Simpson – EMPICS/iStock/Michael Buckner)
Nicknames are overtaking ‘proper names’
“Nicknames are the new full names,” BabyCenter shared.
Names such as Ellie (No. 15), Josie (No. 85) and Leo (No. 8) have risen in popularity and outrank the names from which they derive — Elizabeth (No. 41), Josephine (No. 146) and Leonardo (No. 141).
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Three-letter names are also making an impact with new parents.
Teo has risen 352 spots to No. 441, Kai is up seven spots and is No. 21, and Lia has jumped 107 spots and sits at No. 270, the baby name team reported.
Nicknames outrank the names from which they derive — such as Leo (No. 8) compared to Leonardo (No. 141), according to BabyCenter’s new report. (iStock)
Geographical names are on the descent
“Although travel has increased post-pandemic, names associated with popular cities and states around the world are seeing a sharp decline,” says BabyCenter’s website.
The name Aspen, which was once No. 170, is now No. 213 — and names of states across America have fallen in popularity, too, such as Cali, which has fallen 141 spots and is now No. 442.
International names are not doing too well either, according to the baby name experts’ report.
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Sydney has hit No. 486, after falling 121 spots in the past year — along with London, which has fallen 56 spots and now sits at No. 213 on the list of most popular girls’ names.
Baby names inspired by favorite travel destinations are on the descent — with London and Cali dropping. (iStock)
Barbie beats out Oppenheimer in box office and baby names
“The ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon inspired some baby names to climb the ranks — and others to take a tumble,” according to BabyCenter name experts.
The “Barbie” movie has given up-and-coming parents a variety of new names, from the female stars of the film to the iconic doll herself.
Barbie’s full name, Barbara, has risen 994 spots, hitting No. 1,336 on the baby name list for girls.
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Additionally, Greta (No. 964), for the film’s director, Greta Gerwig, and Margot (No. 222), for Margot Robbie, the starlet of “Barbie,” have risen 314 and 66 spots, respectively.
The “Barbie” movie has given many expectant parents ideas for children’s names, such as Barbara, Margot and Greta. (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
The “Barbie” movie has impacted baby name trends more than its summer blockbuster counterpart, “Oppenheimer.”
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“Robert (Oppenheimer) is down 29 spots, to No. 178; and Katherine (Oppenheimer) is down 18 spots, to No. 471. Behind the scenes, the name Christopher (Nolan, the director) is down nine spots, to No. 83, as is Cillian (Murphy, who plays Robert Oppenheimer), which is down 10 spots, to No. 677,” BabyCenter reported.
Small screen is making a big impact on parents-to-be
The SAG-AFTRA strikes did not stop some small screen names from making their marks on parents-to-be.
HBO hits such as “The Last of Us” and “Succession” played a major role in the rise of some names.
HBO hits such as “The Last of Us” and the final season of “Succession” also hit it off with soon-to-be parents — who named their newest little ones after their favorite characters. (Liane Hentscher/HBO)
“The Last of Us” brought Ellie (No. 15) and Joel (No. 185) to the forefront, with the former rising three spots and the latter jumping 35 spots.
“Succession” aired its final season and fans of the show appear to be making it live on by naming their baby bundles after favorite characters.
“Logan, Roman, and Connor were all down (from No. 32 to No. 37; No. 70 to No. 71; and No. 127 to No. 155, respectively). Meanwhile, Kendall and Siobhan were up (from No. 1,543 to No. 1,351; and No. 2,135 to No. 2,106, respectively),” BabyCenter stated.
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Finally, the Netflix hit “Wednesday” not only made an impact on viewers, but also on moms and dads, as the name “Wednesday” is up 1,425 spots and now sits at No. 1,183.
“Amazon Prime Video offered a show with perhaps unexpected baby name inspiration, too: Ronald (Gladden) is up 258 spots this year, to No. 902, after he unknowingly starred in the show ‘Jury Duty,’” the parenting website added.
Siobhan Roy, played by Sarah Snook, has jumped from No. 2,135 to 2,106 following the success of the HBO hit “Succession.” (Arturo Holmes/WireImage)
Taylor and Rihanna inspire moms and dads
When it comes to baby names, Rihanna is the one that won the Super Bowl.
The pop artist’s moniker jumped 1,206 spots to No. 1,721 on the list of popular girl’s names.
Taylor Swift fans and expectant parents have shown their love for the Grammy-decorated singer by seeking inspiration from the names of her songs.
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“Betty (from the album ‘Folklore’) is up 184 spots, to No. 920; and the name Marjorie (from the album ‘Evermore’) is also up 1,626 spots, to No. 1,721. Summer (à la ‘Cruel Summer,’ from the album ‘Lover’) is up 66 spots, to No. 68 [and] Ivy (from ‘Evermore’) is up six spots, to No. 28,” the baby name experts noted.
Swifties are making their love for the pop icon known by naming their kids after some of her most popular songs — including Betty and Marjorie. (Buda Mendes)
Sports world serves up some baby names
Sports fans appear to be naming their newborns after athletes who have seen some screen time this year, including Beckham and Messi.
“After the release of the docuseries ‘Beckham’ this October, the name Beckham is up four spots, to No. 221; David is up eight spots, to No. 36; and Victoria is up six spots, to No. 51,” BabyCenter reported.
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Lionel Messi’s Apple TV documentary, “Messi Meets America,” made headlines with parents as the name Lionel is now up 283 spots and sits at No. 456.
David Beckham and Lionel Messi both starred in their own sports docuseries this year, which seems to have inspired 2023 parents-to-be. (Neal Simpson – EMPICS/Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Formula 1 racing has also inspired parents this past year.
“Names of some of the race car drivers featured in ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ are on a winning track: Max (Verstappen) is up 15 spots, to No. 100, and Fernando (Alonso) is up 199 spots, to No. 420,” BabyCenter reported.
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