We’re still floating through ’22 but Nameberry has already predicted the top baby naming trends of next year. And, my oh my, they are interesting, to say the least!
According to Nameberry’s founder, Pam Redmond, the baby naming trends of 2023 mark a significant shift and a complete reinvention. We’ve seen the rise of royal names, nature names, even vintage names, but 2023, we’ll be seeing some seriously interesting new options.
Are you ready?
Check out the top 10 baby naming trends of 2023
1. Maximalist names
Go big or go home. This appears to be a theme with baby naming already for some celebs such as Nick Cannon who has gone with some serious heavy hitters like Rise Messiah and Legendary for his kids’ names this year.
Nameberry explains that simple and sweet names may be replaced with longer, stronger and more powerful options. “The old adage that ‘less is more’ has lost its luster, and more is back to being more!”
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Amadeus
- Cassiopeia
- Lysander
- Ottoline
- Wolfgang
- Wednesday
2. 80s names
This is one baby naming trend we didn’t expect but, hey, here we are. Expect 80s pop culture to play a role in naming the next gen.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Blane
- Chrissy
- Ferris
- Laurel
- Robin
- Penny
3. Neo-Cowboy names
Neo Cowboy names combine the ruggedness of old-school cowboy names with a more modern appeal.
“Think stylish name sounds like the -ett, -er and -s endings, or choices with recent celebrity endorsement, like Brando, Tex, and Wilder,” says Nameberry.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Abbott
- Boone
- Dutton
- Hawkins
- Jones
- Rhett
4. Golden children
According to Nameberry, the world is obsessed with GOLD names. Names that glitter with sparkle and flair and emit a bright, energetic and sunny light.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Goldie
- Apollo
- Aurelia
- Lucien
- Orla
- Sunshine
- Zora
MORE INSPO: Colour-inspired baby names
5. Blue-Green names
Another colour trend are baby names inspired by the cool tones of blue and green. Green colour baby names are often associated with nature – plants, spices, gemstones. But green is also the colour of luck, fertility, freshness and healing. Blue names inspire feelings of peace, spirituality and freedom. Shades of blue are also associated with strength and calmness.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Bluebell
- Caspian
- Fern
- Forrest
- Ivy
- Sky
6. Punchy “i” names
Short, sweet, fresh and a little bit funky, punchy “i” names tend to be just three to five letters and end with the mandatory “i”.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Esti
- Joni
- Kiki
- Leni
- Rafi
- Zuri
MORE INSPO: Four Letter Baby Names
7. The X Factor
X-names have always been a little bit trendy and hipster-ish. In 2023, expect the ‘x’ to predominately feature at the end.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Beaux
- Dixie
- Felix
- Fox
- Hendrix
- Max
8. The new-cool endings
From the beginning of baby naming time, there have been some ‘ending’ faves. In the past, we’ve seen parents adding “lyn” to several names to make something fun and new (Brooklyn, Ashlyn, Harlyn, for example). This year we’ll continue to see this naming trend but with a few new ‘endings’.
NAMES TO WATCHÂ
- Beauden
- Cyaire
- Ellowyn
- Foxton
- Maevyn
- Wrenley
- Macklyn
- Grayton
9. Adjective names
All parts of speech are on the table when it comes to naming babies. We shared a story of a mum who opted for the adverb “Bravely” for her baby but it’s into the land of adjectives where parents will be going in 2023.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- Brave
- Bright
- Lucky
- Powerful
- True
- Wild
10. Old man monikers for girls
Vintage baby names are so 2021. In 2023, you can expect gender-bending vintage baby names to be a thing! Grandpa names, but for the next-gen of little girls.
NAMES TO WATCH:Â
- August
- Arlo
- Frankie
- Georgie
- Ozzie
- Rudy
