Trendiest baby names for 2023
With a few exceptions – very few – the list of most popular baby names stays pretty constant from year to year with only subtle shifts over time. That’s why entries such as Olivia, Emma, Noah and James make appearances almost every year.
But some new parents are planning to go in a different direction according to Nameberry’s ranking of the trendiest baby names going into 2023.
According to Nameberry, people are choosing individualistic names with “image, identity and values” uppermost in new parents’ minds.
“There’s a sea change upon us. Exactly how that will play out over the next 10 years in terms of which names are up, which down, is more difficult to predict than the overall feeling that things are going to change a lot. The mood of names is going to change along with the mood of people,” Nameberry founder Pam Redmond said.
Here are the names to keep an eye on in 2023:
Maximalist names – Names reflecting opulence, decadence and drama
Examples: Amadeus, Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Casimir, Lazarus, Lysander, Octavius, Perseus, Valerian, Wednesday and Zephyrine
Names so out they’re in – Nostalgic names, particularly from the ‘80s
Examples: Billy, Blane, Dallas, Eddie, Ferris, Hank, Julie, Marty Ren, Richie, Sloane, Todd, Penny and Perry
Gilded names – Bright, luxurious and optimistic names
Examples: Apollo, Aura, Elio, Golden, Goldie, Marigold, Solana, Sovereign, Sunniva, Suvi and Zora
Neo-cowboy names – Rugged, outdoorsy and back-to-basic names
Examples: Abbott, Beck, Briggs, Django, Foster, Jones, Reeve, Rhett, Steele, Truett and Waylon
Traveling lite names – Names that are recognizable and pronounceable in different languages
Examples: Avni, Bibi, Gigi, Indi, Joni, Kiki, Leni, Mavi, Rafi, Ravi, Yoli, Yuki and Zuri
X-tra names – Names with beginning, middle or end in X
Examples: Abraxas, Beaux, Bellatrix, Calix, Fox, Hendrix, Lexington, Nixie, Onyx, Roux, Xia
Adjective names – Turning adjectives into names
Examples: Brave, Celestial, Divine, Glorious, Heavenly, Lucky, Majestic, Righteous, Stellar, Supreme, Wavy, Zealous
Grandpa name for girls – Short and nickname-like
Examples: Andie, Arlo, Bobbie, Clarke, Davie, Georgia, Joey, Lenny, Miller, Ozzie, Scottie, Teddy
Blue-green names – Names referencing bluish-green hues
Examples: Azula, Bluebell, Caspian, Cyan, Emerald, Fern, Halcyon, Lupine, Marina, Navy, Sapphire, Wave
Mix-match names – Names created by individuals
Examples: Aylani, Beauden, Caliana, Cyaire, Dariel, Foxton, Larose, Maebry, Riverly, Winry, Wrenley