- Philip, Holly, Meghan, and Harry’s Decline in Popularity;
- TV and Film Inspire Naming Trends;
- Eurovision Makes an Impact; Gen X Names Resurface;
- Cottagecore: The Next Big Thing?
Celebrities and their controversial lives have caused quite a stir in the realm of baby naming. BabyCentre, a leading resource for pregnancy and parenting, recently revealed the top 100 baby names for boys and girls in the first half of 2023. These rankings shed light on the prevailing trends influencing parents’ naming choices.
Recent celebrity dramas have had an impact on popular names. Philip, Holly, Meghan, and Harry, once prominent on the charts, have experienced a decline in popularity according to BabyCentre’s data. This can be attributed to the negative publicity surrounding these names. On the other hand, Eurovision, as well as TV and film, has proven to be a source of inspiration for parents seeking unique names. The quaint and charming cottagecore aesthetic has also emerged as a potential trendsetter in the world of baby naming.
The morning show hosts, Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, found themselves embroiled in controversy over the past few months, which affected their names’ rankings. Holly, once a popular choice, has plummeted and no longer holds its familiar position in the top 100. Philip, along with the shortened form Phil, also experienced a decline in popularity, with only one registration so far this year.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, known for their media presence, faced a similar fate. The release of their controversial documentary and Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” led to a drop in their names’ registrations. Harry slipped 10 places, going from 13 to 23, while both Meghan and the alternative spelling Megan saw a decline in popularity.
Sarah Redshaw, the managing editor for BabyCentre, acknowledged the influence of celebrity drama on naming trends. She stated, “Regardless of whether one follows celebrity news or not, it has been challenging to avoid the latest media outbreaks. Undoubtedly, the negative press surrounding certain celebrity names has played a role in their declining popularity among parents this year. It remains to be seen how quickly reputations can be restored and whether Philip, Holly, Meghan, and Harry can regain their former appeal.”
While real-life controversies have deterred some parents, names associated with on-screen dramas have experienced a surge in popularity. Fans of the HBO series “Succession” have embraced names such as Logan, Roman, Frankie, Hugo, and Kendal. These characters’ portrayals have led to significant jumps in their names’ rankings. Similarly, the release of “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” has propelled names like Charlotte, Violet, Penelope, and Theo to higher positions on the charts. The impact of Netflix’s adaptation of the childhood classic “Matilda” is evident as the name Matilda itself climbed 23 places. Other names, such as Tommy and Lavender, also saw an increase in registrations. However, the name Agatha, associated with Matilda’s antagonist, experienced a decline in popularity.
Eurovision, with its widespread viewership and cultural impact, has resonated with parents seeking name inspiration. Sam Ryder, a fan favorite and the 2022 Eurovision runner-up, made a grand entrance into the top 100, while the UK’s 2023 entrant Maeve (Mae Muller) climbed five places. Names like Mae and Ariel also remained popular choices outside the top ranks.
Nostalgia seems to be influencing naming choices as classic Gen X names make a comeback. John and Sarah have made their way into the top 100 as new entries, joining other retro names such as David and James, which have experienced significant jumps in popularity. This trend could explain Sebastian’s rise in the rankings as well.
The rise of the cottagecore aesthetic, portraying a romanticised life in nature, has given birth to a wave of flower-inspired names. Lily takes the lead in this trend, while names like Jasmine and Dahlia have also seen notable increases in registrations. Tree-inspired names like Willow and Hazel have gained popularity as well, reflecting a shift towards a more serene and natural lifestyle.
Sarah Redshaw noted, “Film and TV have always held significant influence over parents’ naming choices, and this year is no exception. Names associated with popular movies and shows continue to feature prominently on our charts, as long as the allure of the drama remains on the screen.”
The release of BabyCentre’s top 100 most popular names at the end of each year is eagerly awaited by parents curious about the nation’s favorite baby names for boys and girls. The mid-year rankings offer a tantalising glimpse into the emerging naming trends. Muhammed maintains its position at the top for boys’ names, with Noah, Theo, Leo, and Oliver also holding strong. Arthur has made a noteworthy jump to number 6, surpassing Jack. George and Luca have slightly decreased in popularity, while Freddie has climbed two places.
In the girls’ chart, Lily has claimed the number one spot, dethroning the previous chart-topper, Sophia. Names ending in A, such as Amelia, Freya, and Aria, have risen in popularity, securing spots in the top rankings. Ivy, previously in the top 10, has dropped to number 16, making way for a new entry: Mila, which has soared an impressive 31 places to secure the 10th position.
