Predicting the Hottest Baby Names of 2023: Meet the New Contenders

In 2023, there is a notable shift in baby name trends as parents opt for more unique and individualistic names for their children. This departure from traditional naming conventions is due to the tumultuous events of recent years, which have led to increased tribalism and a desire for names that reflect one’s values and identity. Parents are no longer bound by old paradigms and are forging new paths forward with their baby-naming choices. Just look at the success of the name Maverick in recent years. It’s an American invention that means “nonconformist” or “individualist.” Expect more names like it this year!

In addition, parents are selecting names that evoke positivity and progress, reflecting their hopes for their child. This global trend towards unique baby names is not limited to the US and is expected to continue to gain momentum in 2023. Nameberry, a popular baby name database and blog has identified ten significant trends in baby naming for 2023. We have compiled these trends and examples of names that fall under each category for your consideration.

Trend 1: Go Big or Go Home Names

The adage “less is more” is apparently dead when it comes to baby name trends for 2023. Parents are ignoring more traditional options with modest reputations and instead going all out with maximalist names that read as showy or storied. Extravagant baby names from mythology and literature are also part of this growing trend.

Maximalist Names for Girls

• Cleopatra
• Euphemia
• Persephone
• Venus
• Wednesday

Maximalist Names for Boys

• Amadeus
• Lysander
• Oberon
• Valerian
• Wolfgang

Trend 2: Nostalgic Names Making a Comeback

Nameberry believes that the 1980s are coming back. They see a trend of era-evoking names resulting in what they call “the Stranger Things effect.” Nostalgia for the 80s has become fashionable, with many trends from the decade returning to favor. Baby names will likely follow suit.

Nostalgia Names for Girls

• Chrissy
• Heather
• Laurel
• Sandy
• Penny

Nostalgia Names for Boys

• Billy
• Dallas
• Hank
• Ned
• Travis

Trend 3: Glistening Golden Names

Bright names that convey a sense of optimism will be a trend to watch in 2023. Names that have a golden, sparkling sound or meaning all apply. This also includes sun gods and goddesses from various mythologies.

Sparkling Names for Girls

• Aurelia
• Goldie
• Halo
• Orla
• Soliel

Sparkling Names for Boys

• Apollo
• Elio
• Lucien
• Ochre
• Sterling

Trend 4: A New Wave of Cowboy Names

The next generation of cowboy names will form one of 2023’s hottest trends for boys. Parents are gravitating to names with a rugged appeal. Propelled by a back-to-basics mentality for some, these appellations also highlight individualism. You can call this one the Yellowstone effect.

Cowboy Names

• Boone
• Huck
• Rhodes
• Royal
• Wade

Trend 5: Unique Cross-Cultural Names

Names that travel from other countries that remain unique but still feel accessible will be on the rise. Again, with individualism as a reigning theme for 2023, parents are looking for funky, fresh, and offbeat appellations for their children that most American parents aren’t entirely familiar with.

Cross-Cultural Names for Girls

• Avni
• Lumi
• Mavi
• Rumi
• Sukie

Cross-Cultural Names for Boys

• Ezri
• Indi
• Ravi
• Tavi
• Xavi

RELATED: 25 Joyful Baby Names for Boys That Mean ‘Happy’ Around the World

Trend 6: Names with the X Factor

Names with Z’s and X’s have been some of the hottest names in recent years. New parents are loving the edge that these letters bring to a name. X has overtaken Z as the most popular of the two and names with X’s at their start, end, or center will all be extremely popular in 2023.

Names with X for Girls

• Bellatrix
• Nixie
• Pixie
• Xia
• Xiomara

Names with X for Boys

• Ajax
• Calix
• Hendrix
• Onyx
• Pax

Trend 7: Descriptor Names

Our next trend is descriptor or adjective names that act as modern-day virtue names. Next year, parents will be taking just about any fashionable words and putting them on birth certificates. These names are aspirational and a sign of optimism about a brighter future in most cases.

Descriptor Names for Girls

• Brave
• Divine
• Eternal
• True
• Worthy

Descriptor Names for Boys

• Epic
• Lucky
• Noble
• Wild
• Zealous

Trend 8: Old Man Names for Girls

Parents will be reclaiming clunky grandpa names for their daughters in 2023. The spirit of the year, as far as names go, is upending expectations. This means the use of established names in new and novel ways. Often nickname-y and causal, these old man names are taking on new life.

Grandpa-Inspired Names for Girls

• August
• Bobby
• Drew
• Ozzie
• Stevie

Trend 9: Names in Blue and Green

Nature names have been one of the biggest trends of the last ten years, with more and more parents choosing them each year. Color names with a nod to the natural world are big business right now, and blue-green baby names that evoke imagery associated with calmness will be bigger than ever before.

Blue and Green Names for Girls

• Cielo
• Emerald
• Fern
• Indigo
• Sapphire

Blue and Green Names for Boys

• Azure
• Cyan
• Forest
• Ocean
• Rivers

Trend 10: Compound, Invented Names

Parents are really trying to find the most singular names for their children, and one of the very best ways to do that is to invent brand-new names. Typically, this is done by combining elements from two established names into an amalgamation that no one else can claim.

Compound, Invented Names for Girls

• Caliana
• Elowyn
• Emberly
• Larose
• Winry

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Compound, Invented Names for Boys

• Beauden
• Braven
• Dariel
• Kailo
• Zakhai

There you go! Now you know what baby name trends of 2023 to look out for. New parents are changing the baby name landscape for the better by seeking out unique names that really stand out. If you’d like to learn how trends are changing from 2022 to 2023, keep reading, as we have a list of the biggest baby name trends of 2022 to share with you.

Discover How Trends Will Differ from 2022 to 2023 Below:

Spirited, Playful Baby Names

Let’s get real. The last couple of years have been so heavy and bogged down by terrible news. It should come as no surprise then that playful baby names that feel bright and light have become one of the biggest naming trends of 2022. Parents are forgoing serious appellations and leaving more established choices behind in favor of something with a sense of fun.

Examples of Playful Names That Are Trending in 2022

• Bear
• Birdie
• Lucky
• Cricket
• Dovie
• Lulu
• Ziggy

Adventurous Nature Names

As we mentioned, nature names have become one of the most popular baby name trends of the last decade. These appellations offer escapism and a sense of possibility. After being cooped up, new parents are all about names that celebrate our natural world. These names are the equivalent of a vacation! Parents have begun to explore more rugged options for some heft.

Examples of the Nature Names Trending in 2022

• Prarie
• Dune
• Woods
• Ocean
• Lotus
• Bay
• Zephyr

Regency Baby Names

While most parents are lightening up with their baby names, one 2022 trend is all about established options. The smash hit television series (and books) Bridgerton has parents exploring Regency Era baby names that sound stately and regal. These names were already on the rise after the first season of the show premiered but they have grown even more popular following the second!

Examples of Regency Era Baby Names

• Daphne
• Hyacinth
• Benedict
• Euphemia
• Rupert
• Cressida
• Rupert
• Eloise

A Huge Shift in Gender-Neutral Names for Baby Boys

As we mentioned, parents are embracing the concept of gender fluidity and nonbinary identities. This has resulted in a momentous shift in the way baby boys are being named today and one of the biggest trends of 2022. Classics like George, Philip, Paul, and Adam are being traded in for appellations that can grow with babies into who they become. While the examples below are trending toward baby boys today, these names are going to work well for any baby.

Examples of Growing Gender-Neutral Names in 2022

• Indigo
• Marlowe
• Wren
• Juniper
• Blair
• Sasha
• Scout

Soulful Names with a Connection to Spirituality

There is so much uncertainty in the world today and that is causing new parents to turn to names that reflect their hope for a brighter future. Hopeful names are one of the year’s biggest trends. These names might reference a concept or simply describe a future that parents want for their children.

Examples of Soulful and Hopeful Baby Names

• Brave
• Dream
• Psalm
• Promise
• Creed
• Revere
• True

Baby Names That End with S

Names that end in S are having a moment. One of the more subtle name trends of 2022 finds many appellations ending with S on birth certificates. Surnames (Wells, Banks, etc) are becoming increasingly popular as given names as well as vintage favorites to names inspired by mythology.

Examples of Trendy Names That End with S

• Atlas
• Banks
• Emrys
• Idris
• Jules
• Rivers
• Wells

Vintage Names with Nostalgic Appeal

Parents today are dusting off old favorites and going retro. These sunny, playful names bring back memories of simpler times. Vintage names offer so much charm and many are tracking to be more popular today than they once were decades ago.

Examples of Vintage Names That Are Trending Right Now

• Constance
• Etta
• Frank
• Goldie
• Gus
• Hank
• Nellie
• Ralph
• Susie

A New Generation of Musical Names

Who does not love music? New parents today are increasingly celebrating their passion for song with baby names that reflect a love for music. Established options as well as emerging possibilities both appeal to parents who are looking for names that strike balance and harmony.

RELATED: 25 Econames for Girls That Have Become This Decade’s Hottest Baby Name Trend

Examples of Musical Names That Are Currently Trending

• Allegra
• Anthem
• Coda
• Jazz
• Lyra
• Madrigal
• Sonnet

Names Beginning with R

Similar to the S-ending trend, names that begin with R have become increasingly attractive to parents this year. There’s no rhyme or reason with these R names other than many being short names with just a few letters to them. Many tick off more than one box from this list of baby name trends.

Examples of Popular Names That Start with R

• Rain
• Reed
• Revel
• Rio
• Rome
• Rumi
• Rune

Names with European Vibes

Chic baby names that are more popular in Europe than in the US today are being explored by new parents. Just because a name is established in another country does not mean that it will not be unique here. Scandinavian, Slavic, Gaelic, and Germanic names are all on the rise as parents look beyond more common names from Romance languages.

Examples of European Names That American Parents Are Turning To

• Astrid
• Bastian
• Cillian
• Cosmo
• Magnus
• Oona
• Petra
• Stellan
• Tova

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Final Thoughts

As you have seen, parents today are getting playful and stylish with their options. Instead of steadfast, evergreen names, they are turning to more soulful, spiritual, and adventurous options. Naming trends tend to hold for several years so expect many of the trends we outlined on this list to persist for some time.

If you liked learning about the baby name trends of 2022, keep reading. We’ve got even more great names to share with you. As we explained, nature names are a big deal right now and one of the most visible trends. Take a look at even more options inspired by the beauty of our natural world below!