As we enter the final quarter of 2024, trend forecasters are looking ahead to what next year will bring in the realms of fashion, food, weddings, and even baby names. On the latter front, the experts at Nameberry have have shared their predictions for the trends that will influence parents’ choices in 2025.
“We analyze a vast amount of data from the Social Security Administration and our own site to identify our name trends,” Nameberry editor-in-chief Sophie Kihm told HuffPost. “The SSA data include all names given to five or more babies in a single year ― we look at which names are currently common and which are rising in popularity. Our exclusive Nameberry data includes information on the names people are searching and loving right now, which is a very useful predictive tool.”
According to a new report from the baby naming resource, next year’s rising names will draw from natural landscapes, the artistry of Chappell Roan and even Crocs shoes.
“It’s important to note that our trend predictions are not about which names will necessarily be the most popular in the U.S.,” Kihm explained. “Rather, we’re looking at the names that are going to rise the quickest, fit into new trends, and generally capture the feel of a 2025 baby name.”
Not every name or trend is for everyone, but Kihm hopes those who read the report “can walk away understanding why parents might choose a certain name or appreciate a certain name trend, even if they wouldn’t do so themselves.” Without further ado, keep scrolling for Nameberry’s top 10 baby naming trends for 2025.
Landscape Names
The Nameberry team believes a subcategory of nature names ― landscape names ― will appeal to parents looking for no-frills options that are easy to understand but not already super popular. These names also tend to be gender-neutral, which is an increasingly common consideration for today’s parents.
Cove
Coast
Creek
Field
Reef
Valley
Gen ‘Z’ Names
The influence of Gen Z on culture these days cannot be overstated, and that extends to baby names as this generation enters the parenting world. The letter Z is apparently “the edgy consonant du jour,” according to the report ― from names that start with Z to those with Z in the middle to new alternate spelling options that swap it in for a traditional S.
Azalea
Hazel
Mazie
Ozzy
Zephyr
Zuri
Country Rebrand
“Beyonce’s album Cowboy Carter cracked open the country music genre and redefined an American classic,” Kihm writes in the Nameberry report. “Much like country music, country baby names are getting a rebrand for 2025 and beyond.” She noted that names from more diverse backgrounds are joining the country canon with modern options alluding to cowboys, gauchos and farming culture.
Abner
Clover
Elsie
Harlan
Mabel
Waylon
Safe Haven Names
As war, political unrest and violent crimes continue to dominate our news cycles, there’s a natural longing for a sense of comfort and safety. This translates to a trend toward baby names that evoke peace, from mythological and spiritual figures and places to words that literally mean “peace.”
Arcadia
Dove
Eden
Foster
Harbor
Pax
Fast Fashion Names
“Fast fashion names synthesize a range of current styles to create original names that perfectly capture the flair of the moment,” Kihm writes. “The appeal of these names is that they let parents pull together a variety of name trends in their own special way. Want a gender-neutral surname-name with an international feel and a hint of Ancient Rome? No problem. Or a name that simultaneously honors your grandmother, your ethnic heritage, and your favorite animal? You can make that!”
Aven
Hollyn
Luxton
Novalie
Scottlynn
Wrenlee
Global Americana
The experts at Nameberry also identified a “Global Americana” trend ― names that can honor a particular cultural heritage or combine different ethnic backgrounds. This trend also includes names with roots in many parts of the world and therefore travel well across cultures.
Casper
Elio
Hassan
Idalia
Kenzo
Shai
Femininomenal Names
A nod to Chappell Roan’s popular “Femininomenon” album, the “femininomenal” names category is all about the power in femininity, with a tinge of drama, camp and witchiness. These names come from history, mythology and other legends about triumphant women.
Circe
Echo
Guinevere
Juno
Lilith
Ophelia
Baby Names, Literally
“Taking inspiration from notable influencer babies, including Nara Smith’s Whimsy Lou, Jaci Marie Smith’s daughter Benny, and Savannah LaBrant’s son Blue, parents are increasingly opting for nicknames on the birth certificate and nouveau choices with a playful sensibility,” Kihm writes. This trend is the opposite of the “you’re naming an adult, not a baby” ethos.
Blossom
Gio
Lilibet
Lottie
Nori
Posey
Croc Names
The Nameberry folks created the category of “Croc names” to refer to monikers that are not popular and might even seem ugly and uncool right now ― but could become the next big thing (as their namesake shoes did). It’s all about recognizing the beauty in “geek-chic” and old school names to set new trends.
Enid
Gilbert
Golda
Murray
Oswald
Rita
Otherworldly Names
The universe is full of mysteries, and the “otherworldly” names trend pays homage to something greater than us mere mortals. These are names that offer an unearthly vibe or might belong to a sci-fi hero or fantasy villain.
Altair
Aura
Cosmo
Ender
Lumen
Lyra
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