Top 19 Baby Name Trends for 2023
The names we choose for our children often reflect our personal tastes and the world around us. Reference website, Listophile analyzed data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to discover the latest baby name trends in the United States.
The following are the hottest baby name trends for 2023:
- 1. God and Goddess Names
- 2. Names Symbolizing Justice and Loyalty
- 3. Names Symbolizing Independence, Rebellion & Freethinking
- 4. Water Names
- 5. Gender-Neutral Names
- 6. Non-Binary Names
- 7. Nature Names
- 8. Travel Destination Names
- 9. Virtue Names
- 10. Word Names
- 11. Last Names as First Names
- 12. Spiritual Names
- 13. Vintage Names
- 14. Rustic Names
- 15. Futuristic and Fantasy Names
- 16. Occupational Names
- 17. Names with Creative Spellings
- 18. Abbreviated and Diminutive Names
- 19. Compound Names for Girls
- Hercules
- Evander
- Atlas
- Ares
- Apollo
- Zeus
- Freyja
- Gaia
- Calliope
- Artemis
- Persephone
- Athena
- Loyal
- Tru
- Honor
- Truth
- True
- Justice
- Tru
- Loyalty
- True
- Promise
- Liberty
- Truth
- Rogue
- Wilder
- Hero
- Maverick
- Rebel
- Valiant
- Courage
- Indy
- Maverick
- Rebel
- Wilder
- Lively
- Liberty
- Rogue
- Harbor
- Reef
- Ocean
- River
- Poseidon
- Caspian
- Oceane
- Harbor
- Ocean
- Cove
- Blue
- Cruz
- Palmer
- Bowie
- Tru
- Bellamy
- Tatum
- Jamie
- Salem
- Ocean
- Morgan
- Everest
- Murphy
- Ocean
- Noah
- Drew
- Baylor
- Kamari
- Denver
- Salem
- Azariah
- Sevyn
- Onyx
- Sol
- Wylie
- Tru
- Jupiter
- Everest
- Ocean
- Harlow
- Atlas
- Monroe
- Jupiter
- Canyon
- Reef
- Zephyr
- Onyx
- Forest
- River
- Lotus
- Honey
- Juniper
- Dahlia
- Willow
- Storm
- Ivory
- Zealand
- Rhodes
- Cypress
- Rome
- Rio
- Skye
- Houston
- Oakland
- Marlow
- Montana
- Memphis
- Denver
- Holland
- Capri
- Aspen
- India
- Honest
- Future
- Prosper
- Loyal
- Loyalty
- Lucky
- Summit
- Tru
- Loyal
- Precious
- Divinity
- Adore
- Eternity
- Loyalty
- Saint
- Creed
- August
- Wilder
- Ace
- Ocean
- Baker
- Navy
- Ocean
- Halo
- Sevyn
- Indigo
- River
- Sky
- Walker
- Tatum
- Mccoy
- Palmer
- Miller
- Sterling
- Thatcher
- Murphy
- Oakley
- Harlow
- Sutton
- Fallon
- Collins
- Lennon
- Saint
- Creed
- Savior
- Messiah
- Zion
- Saint
- Angelique
- Divinity
- Seraphina
- Eden
- Zen
- Ambrose
- Archie
- Otto
- Felix
- Benedict
- Atticus
- Byron
- Flora
- Eloise
- Opal
- Bonnie
- Mae
- Birdie
- Iris
- Dutton
- Booker
- Mac
- Monroe
- Westen
- Walker
- Stetson
- Lilibeth
- Walker
- Wrenley)
- Prairie)
- Montana
- Sutton
- Wren
- Oberon
- Rip
- Onyx
- Jettson
- Anakin
- Peregrin
- Emrys
- Cosmo
- Merlin
- Raya
- Cerise
- Electra
- Polaris
- Elektra
- Lotus
- Lumina
- Vega
- Halo
- Marshal
- Doc
- Piper
- Judge
- Lord
- Palmer
- Baker
- Mercer
- Baker
- Baylor
- Tanner
- Chandler
- Parker
- Palmer
- Porter
- Sawyer
- Khai
- Wylder
- Zyair
- Jaxxon
- Zyon
- Koen
- Chayce
- Kollyns
- Kynnedi
- Jenesis
- Oaklee
- Journi
- Jream
- Sevyn
- Nico
- Cam
- Benny
- Nate
- Wes
- Theo
- Fred
- Lottie
- Izzy
- Sylvie
- Stevie
- Ruthie
- Lizzie
- Maddie
- Riverlynn
- Olivianna
- Lakelynn
- Wrenlee
- Emberlyn
- Oakleigh
- Novalee
1. God and Goddess Names
Strength is currently a theme parents are wanting to evoke in their baby’s names. Mythological gods are linked to powerful forces of wisdom, strength and honor. Giving a child a mythological name associates them with these powerful qualities.
The top trending mythological god and goddess baby names include:
See more Goddess Names for Girls
2. Names Symbolizing Justice and Loyalty
Baby names symbolizing justice and loyalty trending in popularity include:
3. Names Symbolizing Independence, Rebellion and Freethinking
Names are often given to children in the hope they will embody the characteristics of their name. Trending baby names symbolizing independence, rebellion and freethought include:
See more Virtue Names for Girls
See more Virtue Names for Boys
4. Water Names
Water has long been associated with power and beauty. Baby names related to water are currently surging in popularity.
Water baby names rising fastest in popularity include:
See more Water Names for Girls
5. Gender-Neutral Names
Gender-neutral names have become increasingly popular in recent years. A gender-neutral name, or unisex name, is a given name that is not gender-specific, however, unlike non-binary names, it may lean masculine or feminine.
Gender-neutral names have become popular because they are perceived as modern, cool, and trendy — as well as fitting parents’ personal philosophies about gender identity.
The fastest-rising gender-neutral baby names include:
6. Non-Binary Names
A non-binary name is a name that is non-gender specific. Unlike gender-neutral names, non-binary names are androgynous. In other words, non-binary names do not have strong associations with either of the binary genders.
More than ever, parents are willing to embrace the possibility of gender fluidity in their children. Picking a non-binary name is the surest way to future-proof a child’s name, no matter how they choose to identify in the future. Non-Binary baby names currently trending (calculated using an average of male and female % increases in popularity) include:
7. Nature Names
Nature-inspired names are seeing a huge spike in popularity. The current trend of nature names is far more widespread and popular compared to the hippie subculture during the 60’s and 70’s.
Nature-inspired names that are rising the fastest in popularity include:
See more Nature Names for Girls
See more Nature Names for Boys
8. Travel Destination Names
Another naming trend we identified is the huge increase in geographical baby names, also known as city, place, or travel destination names.
Geographical baby names rising most in popularity include:
9. Virtue Names
A choice once popular with Puritans, virtue names are being rediscovered. Virtue names symbolize the values of the very words themselves, and have become modern and trendy choices. Modern spellings of virtue names are also on the rise, including Harmoni, Serenitie, and Justus.
Virtue-inspired baby names increasing the most in popularity include:
See more Virtue Names for Girls
See more Virtue Names for Boys
10. Word Names
Word names taken from the English language have also risen exponentially in popularity. Words with clear and often common usage in everyday vernacular are being repurposed as names. These names retain associations of strength, clarity, or positivity, such as Reign, Promise, and Legend.
Word-related baby names increasing the most in popularity include:
11. Last Names as First Names
Last names as first names are surging in popularity, especially for girls.
The rise of last names as first names for girls could be due to the fact that these names could be perceived as ‘strong’ names for females. Studies have shown that women who have a name that leans a little masculine or less feminine give them an edge, especially in the workplace.
Last Names as First Names increasing fastest in popularity include:
See more Last Names as First Names for Girls
See more Last Names as First Names for Boys
12. Spiritual Names
While religious baby names have trended down in recent years, many spiritual names are on the rise. Spiritual names are not necessarily rooted in religion but instead tend to symbolize spiritual concepts, places, and virtues.
The most trending spiritual baby names are:
See more Spiritual Names for Girls
See more Spiritual Names for Boys
13. Vintage Names
Just as vintage fashion has grown in popularity with Millennial and Generation Z consumers, vintage baby names are also coming back in style. The trend is so popular that there has even been ‘100-year rule’ dubbed. This rule simply means that names that were popular about 100 years ago are now the ones coming back into style. These include names like Harriet, Benedict, and Otto.
Vintage baby names increasing the most in popularity include:
14. Rustic Names
Rustic names strike the perfect balance between vintage and country western. Recent TV shows including Yellowstone, 1883, and Walker: Independence, have propelled these baby names into the mainstream.
The fastest-growing rustic baby names include:
15. Futuristic and Fantasy Names
Futuristic and fantasy baby names are seen as the cutting edge of cool. With the neverending quest for unique baby names, forward-thinking parents are opting for ultra-modern names that are rarely heard.
The fastest-growing futuristic and fantasy baby names include:
See more Futuristic Girl Names
16. Occupational Names
Occupational baby names are currently seeing a rise in popularity. Many occupational names started as last names which were assigned to people of certain occupations. They are now becoming a new baby name trend in the United States.
The fastest-rising occupational baby names include:
17. Names with Creative Spellings
A common trend among parents is to change the spelling of a common name to make it more creative. Something as simple as changing or adding a letter can add individuality and uniqueness to a name.
The fastest-growing baby names with creative spellings include:
See more Girl Names with Unique Spellings
See more Boy Names with Unique Spellings
18. Abbreviated and Diminutive Names
In past generations, it was usual to give a child a traditional name, such as Winifred or Theodore. Close friends and family could then shorten the name into a cuter, more familiar nickname.
However, those traditions are now frequently being bypassed. Babies are instead frequently given a ‘nickname’-style name from birth. So, for example, Winifred and Theodore are now simply being registered as Winnie and Theo. These abbreviated names usually end in a vowel and are frequently diminutives of longer and more formal traditional names.
Abbreviated and diminutive names increasing the most in popularity include:
19. Compound Names for Girls
Compound names are two names that have been combined into one. Clunky compound names from the past, such as Annemarie and Marykate have given way to brighter and fresher variations.
Modern compound names for girls currently trending include:
79.4% Rise in Popularity of Unisex Baby Names
Leave a Reply