Baby Names 2012: Trend Predictions?

I see “R beginners getting hot. Shorter names too. At least for boys. But that’s all I can say, girls give me fits!
Can’t wait to find out what everyone else ‘sees’!

I think there is a whole lot of grandpa coming our way: Arthur, Henry, Angus, Bruce, Winston, Lionel, Wally, Louie, Fred
… and the grandma’s: Mildred, Stella, Betty, Millicent, Adeliade, Blanche, Opal, Iris, Viola, Dorothea, Mavis, Helena

I predict the big letter for girls will be “E” with lots of Ellie’s, Elle’s, Eleanor/Elinor’s, Edith, Esther, Ellery, Elina, Elaine, Eowyn, Estella, Ellison, Esme, Etienne

I also see classic names for girls with unisex or masculine nicknames happening: Bernadette (Bernie), Henrietta (Henrie), Louisa (Louie), Josephine (Joey)

Literary/Historical refrences and “changing stereotypes” is a growing trend, too. People won’t be turned off by a name they already have an association with: Reuben, Jemima, Atticus, Aristotle, Orion, Bronwen, Hermione, Medea, Dexter, Atlas, Ramses, Luna, Shirley, Romeo, Holden, Everest, Ramses, Cleopatra, Pandora

Well, I’ve met three (!!!) little girls recently named Camden, so I predict that will be the next big name to “jump ship” from the boys side to the girls, like Riley and Avery have.

I don’t see any drastic changes coming in 2012, but I do think we will be moving towards more charming, shorter names like Jude and Asher and Theo, or more nicknamey-names like Ru and Libby. I can tell already that the name Charlotte is going to become quite big…It may even become the next “Isabella” – which is too bad because I thought it was a nice, hidden gem. I just hope the general public can move away from the Ava-Madison-Sophia type names like we name nerds did years ago.

The name, Mila, will rise in the coming years – given Mila Kunis’s boost in popularity (and possibly, Milena, Kunis’s given name.) Mila already fits in very well with popular trends: shorter name, sounds like/resembles other popular names: Emily, Mia, Lila, Ella, Amelia. Similar, but just different enough, for now anyway. The name has only broke into the Top 1000 in 2006 (at #746) and was already up to #464 in 2009. (Almost 300 spots in just 3 years!) It seems almost certain Mila will continue to rise up and up.

I predict male names and surnames will continue rising in poularity with little girls. I met a little girl named Campbell the other day. She was a sweet child, but I thought it was terrible for her to have such a masculine name. It didn’t really suit her personality either. I’ve seen mom’s going reallllly far with this trend lately. Some are even going for traditional names like John and etc for their daughters. And anything with a surname feel is def going to be popular.

For baby boys, I predict a rise in grandpa names as well as bold choices like Thor, October, and etc. I also see a rise in macho/cowboy names as well. Although I secretly hope softer names like Robin, Kelly, and Ashley make a return to the guys. One can only hope…lol.

Glee names will continue. Lots of L names Lila Layla, Lydia, etc. Short names.

Teacher MA–

I’m right there with you in the name Mila jumping up in popularity (similar to the way Isla did in the past year) In fact I started composing this message at 7:30 this morning, and
had to run out for a bit . . . When I came back I saw your post. We must be on a similar wavelength.

With girls, the letter V has been very hot lately! First with Ava and Olivia, and now with Vivian/Vivienne, Evelyn, and really anything that lends to the nickname “Evie” like Genevieve. I think the trend will continue with Vera, Maeve, and Sylvia.

For boys, I think that Flynn will shoot up the charts. The hero of “Tangled” as well as Orlando Bloom’s baby boy are named Flynn. I think short, strong boy names that are similar (like Jude and Cole) are going to be big.

I think people are starting to reconsider unisex names that have come to seem “feminine” for boys, or boys names that start with “girly” sounds like Em/El/An etc. I live in the UK where Ashley, Morgan and Ryan etc are still very much boys names (Ashley may be unisex but it’s far more popular for boys). But I do think that softer boys names like Ellis, Elliot, Luca, Asher, Evan, Sasha, Emrys, Elias, Gabriel, Emmanuel, Jesse, Francis etc will become more popular. I think some people are moving away from overtly “macho” names for their boys and enjoying the quiet strength of some of these other names.

Of course I still expect to see lots of Hunter’s and Ryder’s etc, I just think the balance between types of boys names used might become more equal.

As for girls names, I think shorter, less fussy and more nicknamey names may increase in popularity, like Millie, Evie, Ellie, Maisie, Lexi, Katie, Gracie, Rosie, Lacey, Tia, Mia, Lia, Gia etc. I particularly think the “ie” ending names and the short “ia” names will be popular, although the Evie’s, Ellie’s, Millie’s etc are already everywhere in the UK!

I would be shocked if Harper doesn’t shoot up the charts for girls. There are four celebrities that I can think of that have little girls named Harper. Emery is another name that I believe will take off, just as Avery has. I know three girls named Emery born this year and where it’s so close to superstar sisters Emma and Emily, I can see it jumping quite a few spots. For boys, a new crop of Bible names seem to be getting more popular like Eli, Asher, Levi and Jonah. The letter X seems to still be very hot, I know more boys named Jaxon than Jackson and I believe Jax was one of the fastest risers last year. Love hearing everyone’s predictions!

@kgcg31

We must be!

It’s interesting that both Isla and Mila are rising name stars due to a celebrity boost, and that both fit into current name trends. Perhaps a case of parents seeking “different, but not weird”?

(I’m totally loving that Mila is getting love. It has been a favorite of mine for awhile — I can openly admit it was a combination of a character featured on Young Hercules and Mila Kunis on That 70s Show. I was concerned that Mila would be confused for Mia when spoken, but it seems that now that wouldn’t be an issue.)

I was watching my local news the other day and was delighted to see a newborn Bricelyn. It sounds like a mashup, but it’s actually the name of charming small town in southern Minnesota. I’ve thought for years that it would make a lovely girl’s name, given the popularity of Brooklyn. I see this geographical trend picking up speed next year.

I predict that whatever name Natalie Portman chooses will see a severe upswing. So I hope she chooses something terrible, something the rest of us would never use.

I have a feeling that girl names beginning with El- or Em- will continue to rise or start becoming popular. (i.e. Eleanor, Emmeline) La- and Li- names will probably also go up in numbers, as well as -lia or -ia names.

For boys, I’m thinking geographic names will be in favor. (i.e. Hudson, Kingston, Dakota)

I think names such as Evie’s , Brice’s and names ending in ice or ie’s , ia’s and don’s I Really Like the name Ryan but its been dropping down maybe it will come back up . Also names like Lily, Poppy ( flowey names) .

God, no! Not Charlotte and Harper! I hope Jenny is right about Natalie Portman. If she takes one of my favorites I will be so annoyed.

I think it depends on whether we’re talking about nameberry trends or actual names in the real world. In the real world, the old people names, Flynn, Charlotte, E names, all of those are legit. In the nameberry world, I think people are going to move to boomer-era names to try and escape the tide of people going to old names out of popularity. I think more noun names are going to come into play. Apple may be a bit out there, but Lark and Juniper are gaining, more obscure flower names are big -Dahlia, Poppy, last names as firsts are blowing up, and I think place names – Raleigh, Aspen, Hudson etc. – are going to get big. Oh, sorry. Just now looking up to see Valkyrie and Nichole have been me to the punch.

Oh yes – and there’s a huge baby boom in Hollywood, so whatever Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham and Natalie Portman name their babys I’m sure will blow up too.

Whew! Good thing we have NB to keep us in check.

In the “real world”, I think the foursome of Amelia, Charlotte, Oliver, & Henry will see a huge uptick. And I agree with Harper making substantial gains as well. We visited a playground the other day and three of the 12 kids were named Harper–2 girls and 1 boy. It’s a lovely name, but it’s definitely about to get bigger.

Now in the fabulous Name Nerd Universe, I’m betting on the Mad Men/mid-century names seeing a revival: Bruce, Douglas, Walter, Arthur, Nancy, Betty, Dorothy, Peggy, etc.

Kate. I think with the upcoming royal wedding Kate will become bigger than it’s ever been.

carys/karis for girls and oliver for boys. great names and cute too

my favorite, Lena. Its already top 10 in other countries and is another option for the “Lily-Lila-Leah” crowd

I agree with many of the posters before me about place names, short names, Harper, Glee club, etc.

I also think that name trends across the world move closer together, i.e. that Argentinian children, French, German, Swedish, and American ones have the same names. Therefore I see Finn, Lena, Mia, Leonie, Maya, Lucas, Luca, Leon, Felix, Niklas, Philip, Ian, Frederik, Julian etc. movin up. Also lots of other names with M, L, and J.

I completely agree with previous posters about the popularity of Mila, it was very nearly my 4 month old daughters’ name. I decided against it due to pronouncuation issues ie meila, millah. We ended up going for the nicknamey Millie- it suits her perfectly and I’m not concerned abot the ‘nicknamey factor’ as Ellie, Daisy, Nellie, Ruby etc will be the names of her generation

It seems that I have been seeing the more “traditional” names starting to be used more often. It is interesting to see how everything tends to cycle around.

I know three baby girls born last week that all have “A” with “ah” endings. All their siblings also have A names…too much! Alenah, Alanah, Aianah, Aleah, Ariana…can’t keep them all straight! Some A names are cute, Abigail, Aubrey, Audrey…but, the A-ah combo on girls is getting out of hand.

Oh you’re all scaring me. I’m due in 4 weeks with an ‘el’ though it has not been mentioned. Trendy names make me want to cry. Okay, I am crying. Ha.

I agree with “Mila”. I have a 16-month old daughter named Mila. We live in a rural community in middle America, and I know of 2 other “Mila” girls born since mine. Mila Kunis’ star is on the rise, so I am sure the name is, too. I love it. Although, being a “Jennifer”, I wanted my child to be more unique. At least she will be ahead of the curve!
I think older names are still going to be holding strong: Hattie, Evelyn, Kate/Katie, Ava, Emma. I also think boys names for girls are being more popular: Charlie, Joey, Bryce. When it comes to boys, I feel there are less trends. Most people I know name their boys something that has been around over the years: Jack, Joshua, John (especially couple with a newer name. My nephew is called “John Logan”), Evan, Tyler, Luke. Also, names ending in “son”: Anderson, Jameson, Carlson, Jackson.

What about Pippa? Or Pip? I like both of these names. My dad’s name is Phillip and he’s been called Pip all his life. I thought it would be so cute to use Pip or Pippa for our baby due in January but now with the royal wedding I bet these names take off.

my sister-in-law is due in feb. and she has decided on Tatum for boy or girl… tatum cruz for a boy and izzybella tatum for a girl… (another celebrity inspired name)

i am also pregnant due in april and im thinking parker and paisley… i see parker being popular and ive seen a few girls on a couple tv shows that are named paisley

I don’t lke names that the child will hate when he/she is 40, like IZZY, Jack Daniels, Ramsey, etc
I love for 2012: Deborah, Delilah, Rebecca, ShoShonna(JEWISH) Veronica, Victoria, Beth, Carolina,

and for boys: Asher Jude, Jeshua, Moses, Noah, Jonah

I love the Bible names a lot!
I even like the name DRUSILLA for a girl, call her DRU

[...] Baby names 2012 promise revolutionary new directions in the continuing and escalating search for meaning coupled with originality.  That can be a hard bill to fill when it comes to baby names, pushing  parents in 2012  to look to some fresh sources and create names that have never been heard before. [...]