Modern parents are expected to choose “unique” baby names in 2024 — with experts predicting the rising trends for boys and girls.
Sophie Kihm, the editor-in-chief of US parenting website Nameberry, has compiled the top baby name trends set to surge in popularity over the next 12 months.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Top baby name trends of 2024.
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Nowadays, it seems parents of Generation Alpha — children born between 2010 and 2024 — are overlooking traditional monikers in favour of girl names given to boys or even “funky” nicknames.
“Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend who named their son Wren and Rihanna who called her son Riot Rose are spearheading this trend,” Sophie said.
“Expect to see more boys with names like Artemis, Cleo, Fern and June in 2024.”
Following the trend, Hollywood’s power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are famously known for naming their first daughter James, a moniker commonly regarded as an option for boys.
“It’s a family name, and I liked having a boy’s name (myself) so I thought I’d pass it along to her,” Blake previously told Glamour Magazine about the decision behind her little girl’s name.
The parenting expert said many parents are expected to take inspiration from “feminine feminist” names inspired by the 2023 movie Barbie starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
“Empowering girl names on the rise include androgynous surnames like Conley and Malone,” Sophie said.
“Funky nicknames like Gwen and Lulu and elaborate heroine names like Guinevere.”
She said parents will be drawn to grown-up names that will suit their kids well into adulthood.
“Baby men and women names are for all those people who say you’re naming an adult, not a baby,” Sophie explained.
“These buttoned up choices like Arthur, Harold, Marjorie and Sylvia are names that children have to grow into but won’t grow out of.”
Another trend set to take the parenting world by storm are weather-inspired names.
“Atmosphere names evoke the open sky. These are ephemeral, modern choices with no history or baggage,” Sophie explained.
“Kylie Jenner’s son’s name Aire is a great example. Names like Aura, Lumi, Storm, Snow and Sunny will soar as well.”
“Naturally glamorous” names are “so big right now”, the expert pointed out.
“It’s the next generation of old money names but instead of quiet luxury classics like Rose and Wesley, these names have more patina,” she said.
“Think Mabel, Estelle and Gaia for girls. Cillian, Harris and Torin for boys.”
Finally, parents are set to opt for “main character energy” names, which typically refers to someone with high self-confidence living as if they are the star of their own show.
“Names with main character energy set your child apart from the crowd,” Sophie said.
“They include names of actual characters like Elio, Raya and Neo, along with bold sounding, extravagant names such as Everest, Catalina and Maximo.”
Top baby names in Australia of 2023
GIRLS
1. Charlotte
2. Amelia
3. Isla
4. Olivia
5. Mia
6. Ava
7. Matilda
8. Ella
9. Grace
10. Willow
BOYS
1. Oliver
2. Noah
3. Leo
4. William
5. Henry
6. Jack
7. Theodore
8. Hudson
9. Charlie
10. Luca
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