The experts at Nameberry just announced the top baby-name trends for 2025—and you might be surprised by what made the list
The Top Baby-Name Trends of 2025
Published on Oct. 21, 2024
My husband and I debated lots of baby-name trends when I was pregnant, but we ultimately plucked Isabel from way back in his family tree. We thought the elegant choice was uncommon—until three other Isabels appeared in her preschool class. For baby No. 2, we could have sifted through lists of the most popular baby names, but during that round, we were too exhausted parenting our toddler, so we opted for Fiona, after a character in a book I read while expecting. (We fared better that year!)
If you’re pregnant, trending baby names will be top of mind very soon, and if you’re not, they’re still a ton of fun to read about. We all want to see if our names or our kids’ names are on the list—or just how many little Liams, Astrids and maybe even Jennifers will be surrounding us in a few years. That’s why we always eagerly anticipate Nameberry’s trending-names lists. The popular naming site recently released the 10 biggest baby-name trends for 2025, along with plenty of suggestions, and you might be surprised by what made the list.
Read on to find out which in-vogue types of names are going to be popular in the very near future—and why.
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Fast-fashion names
First things first: This category has nothing to do with actual fashion brands. Instead, it takes its inspiration from the idea of fast fashion—clothing that’s based on current trends but has a slight twist. How does that apply to naming? Fast-fashion names are based on popular names but are spelled differently, combine different naming styles or honor various cultures in one unique name.
This captures “the flair of the moment,” according to Nameberry, while letting you pick a more original version of a familiar name—and helps your little one stand out from their future classmates. For example, Becca might be spelled Bekka, or Kyle could be updated as Kile. Bonus: Some of these fast-fashion names are gender neutral.
- Amila
- Kyren
- Eydan
- Nikko
- Skylynn
- Scottlynn
- Shilo
- Riven
Global Americana
America has always been a melting pot, and this baby-name trend focuses on highlighting your family’s personal heritage and your ancestors’ unique journeys to this country. As a result, these names feel authentic, creative and meaningful, not to mention modern. The Summer Olympics and a global conversation around diversity and inclusion have also brought this trend to the forefront. Some names in this vein: Wayan (Balinese for “eldest”), Sen (a unisex Japanese name with multiple meanings) and the ones below.
- Chiara
- Eleni
- Ivo
- Luca
- Oona
- Suni
- Kenzo
- Soren
Literal baby names
Sure, the baby-name trends you’re considering are for an infant, but in this particular category, the names are actually babyish in sound or refer directly to a type of baby (think: Cub). These cute ideas are playful and fun to say, especially when you pair them with a one-syllable middle moniker and create a little nickname that rolls off the tongue like a rhyme.
The inspo for this grouping comes from influencers, like YouTuber and model Nara Smith, who named her baby Whimsy Lou, and TikTok star Savannah LaBrant, who picked Blue for her little boy. These sweet baby names are a far cry from the popular grown-up names of late, like George and Agnes.
- Cub
- Koda
- Echo
- Dolly
- Teo
- Whit
- Lula
- Posey
- Lilibet (You know this royal name! It was Queen Elizabeth II’s nickname, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave it to their daughter.)
Country rebrand
Country music is white-hot right now, thanks to the popularity of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album and Western-themed TV shows like Yellowstone and 1883. But these country baby-name trends aren’t the obvious ones—like, say, Montana or Clementine. Instead, they skew a bit softer, with a vintage feel that may be more broadly appealing. The country rebrand list is also a cool mix of classic, old-fashioned country names and ones from non-English-speaking countries, according to Nameberry.
- Clover
- Dottie
- Abner
- Hiram
- Loretta
- Mabel
- Enoch
- Santos
Safe haven
We all want our children to grow up in a peaceful world—and this baby-name trend echoes that sentiment. Worries about war, the election and gun safety have seen parents less interested in “danger” words (like Gunner and Arson) and instead reaching for names that offer comfort and security.
- Arcadia
- Bliss
- Concord
- Foster
- Haven
- Oasis
- Shalom
- Trust
Femininomenal names
Oof, that’s mouthful, we know, but these phenomenal femininominal names are trending big-time, thanks to the newly coined word from Chappell Roan’s popular song. But deep down, this term is all about girl power with a distinctive femme spin. These stylish names go beyond girly ideas to offer a more sophisticated sound, not to mention strong roots, like Lilith and Ophelia.
- Cordelia
- Emerald
- Juno
- Oriana
- Seraphina
- Xanthe
- Rhiannon
- Salome
Landscape names
When looking for names from nature, parents used to rely on flowers and plants (think: Lily, Holly and Fern). But now, every bit of the great outdoors is fair game, and in this grouping, you’ll find Dune, Reef and even Tide. So if you live in a wide-open section of the country or long to get back to nature, here’s your chance to crown your wee one with a name that matches this sensibility. Bonus: These names cross traditional gender delineations, so boy and girl moms can pick from this pool.
- Cloud
- Coast
- Grove
- Land
- Shore
- Vale
- Rye
- Stone
Otherworldly names
Kids can be a literal mystery sometimes—and these trendy baby names reflect that idea. Reaching for the stars and the great unknown is the point here, though the list doesn’t lean on aliens or space-age themes like Orion or Comet. Rather, there’s a sci-fi vibe that might feel quite appropriate for the newcomer in your family.
Nameberry reports that this trendy group appeals to younger parents “who may exist in the metaverse and accept the limits of reality. They want their children to revel in the mystery of the universe and feel connected to something greater than humanity.”
- Arwen
- Cielo
- Aslan
- Ever
- Lyra
- Solstice
- Merlin
- Rune
Croc names
Yup, we’re talking about those rather ugly rubbery-foam shoes that come in a variety of neon shades. The idea here is that these names are so ugly, they’ve stayed hidden in a family’s history. But today, they’re back and primed for rebranding. Side note: Enid makes this list, though that name is also trendy for another reason—she’s Wednesday’s roommate on the hit Netflix show!
- Enid
- Hester
- Clyde
- Morris
- Lois
- Selma
- Vernon
- Wilbur
Gen “Z” names
It makes perfect sense for Gen Zers, who are now becoming parents, to choose names that match their personalities. But when it comes to this category, the Gen Zers are actually putting the letter z front and center, opting for the buzzy sound within or at the start of the name (like Alonzo or Zara), as well as tweaking some spellings of existing names to get that z in there.
- Azure
- Izara
- Enzo
- Chozen
- Mazie
- Zinnia
- Zayn
- Zephyr
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Source:
- Nameberry: “Baby Name Trends 2025”
