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Baby Name Popularity News

The popularity of baby names is the subject of these news stories, which look at name popularity trends now and over time. For all the current lists of top names around the world, go to our central Popular Names page.

New Popular Irish Names Revealed
Sun Mar 17 2024

New Popular Irish Names Revealed

The latest popular Irish names data has just been released, and it’s a treasure trove of fascinating options from the Emerald Isle! Explore the biggest risers and fallers of the year, as well as some of the hottest name trends in Ireland right now.
1930s Names Making a Comeback
Mon Mar 11 2024

1930s Names Making a Comeback

What names are in line to be the next to be revived? Following the 100 Year Rule, we look at the names that peaked in the 1930s to find the best candidates for resurrection.
Baby Names Before 1850
Wed Feb 28 2024

Baby Names Before 1850

What did parents name their children before official records began? Records from a hundred years ago show that the choices go far beyond John and Mary — and some of them could inspire you today.
Presidential Names for Babies: Who's Winning?
Mon Feb 19 2024

Presidential Names for Babies: Who's Winning?

Presidential names for babies are breaking popularity records for girls and boys, hitting their highest ranks ever. Here are 25 of the best, ranked.
40 Names That Mean You Live on the West Coast
Sun Feb 11 2024

40 Names That Mean You Live on the West Coast

Which names are more popular on the West Coast than the rest of the US? We analyzed the latest data to find stylish, quirky West Coast baby names that the rest of the country should know about.
Popular Dutch Names We Should Borrow
Thu Feb 08 2024

Popular Dutch Names We Should Borrow

Dutch baby names are a small but mighty subset of international baby names. The most popular Dutch name in the US is Skylar, a variation of the surname Schuyler. Rhett, which derived from the Dutch surname de Raedt, and Van, a Dutch preposition, also rank in the US Top 1000. Dutch social insurance bank SVB.
The Top Global Names Right Now
Tue Feb 06 2024

The Top Global Names Right Now

The popularity of baby names is usually country or even region-specific. But as the world gets smaller, there's a growing cadre of names that rank highly on the lists of a wide range of countries.
Double-Barrel Names: US vs. UK
Sat Feb 03 2024

Double-Barrel Names: US vs. UK

Double-barrel names are on the rise! We crunched the numbers and found the most popular double-barrel names for girls and boys in the US and UK. See how the countries compare and discover uniquely-used names in each.
The Names Really In Danger of Extinction
Fri Jan 26 2024

The Names Really In Danger of Extinction

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry doesn't mean what it used to. We have the scoop on the names that are going extinct, from those currently endangered to the ones that have already vanished (hint: Gary, Karen, and Nigel are not among them!)
In Defense of Emma and Ethan: Ten Good Reasons to use a Common Name
Thu Jan 25 2024

In Defense of Emma and Ethan: Ten Good Reasons to use a Common Name

In case you've dismissed a name because it was super popular, this convincing argument by Appellation Mountain's Abby Sandel might change your mind.
New International Names: A World Of Possibility
Thu Jan 11 2024

New International Names: A World Of Possibility

New international names are entering the American name pool from around the world at an ever-faster pace, as parents look for names that connect to their countries of origin or ancestral heritage. Take a look at some of the best, from A-Z.
Top Baby Names by Letter Through the Ages
Mon Jan 08 2024

Top Baby Names by Letter Through the Ages

Let's take a look at the most popular names for each letter across the past four generations: from the great-grandparents of babies born today to the names filling kindergarten rosters in 2024 and beyond.
How Bad Are These Names?
Sun Jan 07 2024

How Bad Are These Names?

Some names are so attached to infamous figures that they're unthinkable on a child... or are they? Culture changes, and names that were once unacceptable can become possible or even popular. We shine the spotlight on the most notorious names, to see where they are now.
Baby Name Trends of 2024
Tue Jan 02 2024

Baby Name Trends of 2024

Baby name trends for 2024 reflect parents' values, aesthetics, and identities, coinciding with a society-wide shift in parenting. Discover 10 of our top trend forecasts for the year ahead.
Trending Boy Names
Thu Dec 14 2023

Trending Boy Names

New parents — those who haven't spent much time around today's babies — may not be up on today's trending boy names. Take a look at some of the most unexpectedly trendy boy names in the US right now.
Trending Girl Names
Wed Dec 13 2023

Trending Girl Names

If you're a first-time parent, today's trending girl names may surprise you. Take a look at some of the most unexpectedly trendy girl names in the US right now.
How Not to Choose the Next Big Baby Name
Sat Dec 09 2023

How Not to Choose the Next Big Baby Name

How do you avoid choosing the top baby name of the future? Crystal balls at the ready! Here are our five top tips for predicting the future popularity of your favorite names.
Old Lady Names Get a Refresh
Wed Dec 06 2023

Old Lady Names Get a Refresh

What is the next wave of old lady names coming into style? We take a look at the coolest choices right now and see what's coming up next for the future.
100 Names That Deserve To Be Used More
Thu Nov 30 2023

100 Names That Deserve To Be Used More

These names are well-known and traditional, but surprisingly rare!
Aiden Names: the Rise And Fall of a Mega-Trend
Sat Nov 25 2023

Aiden Names: the Rise And Fall of a Mega-Trend

A deep dive into the explosion of names rhyming with Aidan in the 21st century.
Top City Baby Names
Sat Nov 18 2023

Top City Baby Names

The top city baby names in the US are different from the top names in the country and distinct from each other.
These Are the Top Names of the 2020s So Far
Mon Nov 13 2023

These Are the Top Names of the 2020s So Far

We're only four years into the decade, but what are the top names of the 2020s so far? We crunched the numbers to find out.
Popular Names Your Mom Never Heard Of
Fri Nov 10 2023

Popular Names Your Mom Never Heard Of

We crunched the numbers to reveal the modern baby names most likely to get that “His name’s what?!” reaction from Grandma. These names were all given to over 1000 babies last year, but were entirely absent from the charts three decades ago.
Top Baby Name Influencers 2023
Wed Nov 08 2023

Top Baby Name Influencers 2023

Stars and their children are the top baby name influencers of 2023. See the most influential celebrity-related names of the year, from Aspyn to Ozzy to Shai.
30 Great Names You’re Not Using!
Sun Oct 29 2023

30 Great Names You’re Not Using!

Great names given to only 10 babies in 2022, from Anselm to Zanna.