Trends in baby names for 2023 have been revealed

Choose a baby name A new baby is a significant responsibility. Many parents prefer to use traditional family names that have been passed down through the generations. However, some others take inspiration from other sources.

To help parents to be strike the right balance between on-trend and out-of-the-ordinary, we spoke to experts in baby naming who have put together their predictions about the baby name trends that will influence the pre-school registers by 2023.

It seems that dads and moms will think outside the box when naming their baby.

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Future core

The futuristic baby names of this year are expected to be popular. According to Pinterest, there are more searches for futuristic outfits, futuristic glasses and cyber streetwear than ever before. SJ Strum, Baby Name Consultant and Host of the Baby Name Envy podcast.

This trend is expected to continue to baby names, with futuristic names being the most important.

Cassiopeia, a constellation found in the northern skies, is high up on the baby name list for 2023. Cassiopeia was the mythological queen who boasted about her beauty. This name is ideal for 2023, as it embraces maximalism, celestial myths, and beautiful nickname options like Cass, Cassie, and Pia.

Vesper, which means “evening star”, is a trendy name. One that sounds familiar is often a good choice when choosing a name. This makes it more wearable and bridges the gap.

As we help parents choose from a shortlist of names at our baby-naming consultancy, Io (io), has been appearing on many name lists. Pronounced Eeee-Oh this is one of Jupiter’s moons and named for a young mythological girl who caught the eye of Zeus and was turned into a bull. This is Gemma Arterton’s character in Clash Of The Titans.

Romcom names

Romanticising your lifestyle is a lifestyle shift and mindset that has been influenced by social media.

Strum explained that Adonis went up 200 places for boys in the last year and Aphrodite entered UK’s baby names register for the very first time.

Daphne, a romantic regency series that Bridgerton continues to be a success, climbed up 84 charts places to become the most loved.

Strum adds that “Romantic sweetheart names, such as Bay and Honey, are all spiking within the ‘rarely rising’ category.”

“Beau, Peaches and Romeo are becoming more mainstream. Love, Hart and even Love jumped into the UK Names Register for the first-time in 2022.”

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Dark Academia

This trendy new look is also brightening up baby name charts.

Strum states that Goth Glam will not be a passing trend.

“It’s literally a baby name consultants dream as there are so many gorgeous names.”

Strum claims Elsinore is named after Hamlet’s home and Casimir, which means Destroyer of Peace fits in perfectly.

Strum adds, “Wednesday also is breaking through, thanks the hit Netflix series.” It not only has dark academia fandom, but Rupert Grint from Harry Potter chose it for his daughter.

Strum continues, “Devin, which means dark poetry, is another amazing name that’s genderless.”

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Vintage Upcycled

Upclycled Vintage, which is timeless and not as trendy as some other baby naming trends, is the best option.

Strum explained that it essentially involves looking further back each year in order to find forgotten names, and then bringing them back to life using a little “upcycling”.

Strum says there are many historical names that have been forgotten such as Mostyn, Boaz, Eunice & Gladys which could all work for new arrivals this year.

She says, “We also recommend including Lennie and Winnie on your list to stay ahead of the curve when there are a lot of Elsies and Albies in your classroom.”

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Names that have ‘Main Character Energy’

Strum also expects that there will be an increase in parents naming their children for characters from their favorite TV and movie shows.

There’s a twist. Thanks to the maximalist trend, which leans toward names full of “opulence, decadence and drama”, it’s all about standing out from the crowd, or the pre-school register.

“‘Main Character Energy’ is a lifestyle buzz word that’s transcended into baby names, with modern parents picking bigger, bolder more iconic names for their babies,” Strum explains.

She continues, “Maverick is on top of the charts and appears ready to continue rising with Top Gun’s revival.”

“Thor is also on up – The God of Thunder was an inspiration to parents who love the short, strong mythological name.

Strum reports that Villanelle from the dark drama Killing Eve also made it into the UK’s baby names popularity lists this year for the first-time.

Marilyn is also trending, up 600 spots, perhaps after parents enjoyed Netflix’s Blonde, as is Jeffrey, which is up 230 places after the Dahmer documentary.

Strum does have a warning for parents who want to harness main character energy within their baby’s moniker.

“While we all carry associations with our names from people we have met in life, picking out a cult personality name means bestowing character traits on your infant that they may find a burden growing-up,” she says.

“So, while we embrace ‘Main Character Energy’, it’s important to pick with intention and don’t be swayed by fast fashion – that way, you’ll be sure to love your baby’s name forever.”