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.

Sun Jul 05 2015

Unisex Names of the 2014 Top 1000

Kelli Brady’s exhaustive analysis of just where the 2014 popular names stand on the gender divide.
Sun Jun 28 2015

Literary Baby Names in the News

Baby names from books–both classic and contemporary–are popping up all over the celebrisphere and beyond.
Wed Jun 24 2015

Cute Comeback-Kid Nicknames for Girls

Sadie and Josie have made their comebacks, but there are plenty of other previously popular nickname names for girls to consider.
Mon Jun 22 2015

The Hottest Names of 2015

So what are the next hottest names ready to pop?
Thu Jun 11 2015

Australia’s Fastest Rising Top 100 Names

Here Aussie name expert Anna Otto presents the rising name stars in her country, also comparing them to those in the US and UK.
Thu Jun 04 2015

On Choosing a (mega) Popular Baby Name

Guest blogger Jen Simon’s reflections on giving her son what would become the #1 boys’ name.
Sun May 31 2015

Most Popular Spanish Baby Names

The latest pop list from Spain is out and Lucia and Hugo are at the top.
Thu May 21 2015

UK vs US Popular Baby Names

Emma and Noah vs Amelia and Oliver: Eleanor Nickerson's perceptive analysis of the Anglo-American divide.
Wed May 20 2015

New Baby Name Trend: The Lu/Lou boys

Following the path of Lucy and Luna, boys’ name with the lu-sound beginning are forging ahead, from Lucas and Luke to Louis and Lucian.
Mon May 18 2015

States’ Most Popular Names 2014

Brooklyn’s the second most popular name in Wyoming, Mia tops the charts in New Mexico–and other fascinating data on the naming preferences in various states.
Sun May 17 2015

Best Names Given to Just 5 Babies

Here are some of the rarities found at the low end of the popularity list, from Amandine to Xanthe.
Sun May 17 2015

The Hottest Celebrity Baby Names

Which starbaby name choices impacted this year’s popularity list? Abby Sandel gives us a rundown.
Thu May 14 2015

The Best New Baby Names

Of all the new names in the Top 1000, here is a selection of the best.
Wed May 13 2015

A Tale of 2 Popularity Lists

Nameberry’s most popular names list is very different from the national stats, with a lot more adventurous choices in the lead.
Mon May 11 2015

The Playground Analysis of the Real Most Popular Names

In her annual Playground Analysis, Kelli Brady shows how the actual #1 names of 2014 are Sophia and JAckson!
Mon May 11 2015

Classic Baby Names Make a Comeback

The new list of Top 1000 names leaves no doubt–classic baby names like James, Charlotte, Eleanor and Alice are on the rise!
Fri May 08 2015

The Top Baby Names of 2014!

The wait is over! Emma and Noah take the top spots in the new Social Security most popular names list! And Princess Charlotte breaks into the Top 10!
Tue May 05 2015

Predictions for the New Most Popular Baby Names

Abby Sandel’s Nameberry 9 this week focuses on some of the questions that may be answered with the imminent release of the new Social Security list. What are your guesses for the top names?
Mon May 04 2015

Geographic Names Over Time

The names of US states have been popular since at least the 1880s. Nick Turner takes us through their ups and downs since then.
Thu Apr 30 2015

Game of Thrones Names

Game of Thrones names influence baby names.
Sun Apr 26 2015

Best Names Near the Bottom of the List

As we anticipate the release of the new Top 1000 names, guest blogger Elizabeth Broadbent looks back at the 2013 lists and finds some nuggets in the bottom 50.
Wed Apr 15 2015

Vintage Baby Names

I was asked by a magazine interviewer recently why I thought some vintage names come back and others don’t. Why Cora and Flora and not Dora? Why Edward and not Edwin? All of which got me thinking about the influences that do propel names out of the attic and into the spotlight.
Thu Mar 26 2015

The Spellings of Classic Name Katherine

There are several spelling variations of the classic Katherine and it’s fascinating to follow Kelli Brady’s tracking of how they have alternated over time.
Wed Mar 25 2015

Classic Girl Names: Alexandra the Great

Like brother Alexander, Alexandra has sparked a galaxy of girls’ name, from Alexis to Lexie to Sasha.
Tue Mar 24 2015

Do you wish your own name…..?

Would you like a name that would help you stand out more…or blend in?