In the past, baby names were often inspired by royalty, religious figures, or family members, with the occasional nature-inspired choice for a bit of rebellion. Today, however, the sources for naming children have expanded far beyond traditional options, with pop culture trends becoming a major influence. These trends, though fleeting, capture unique moments in time and give babies a connection to the world around them when they are born.
Every fall, BabyCenter releases insights into upcoming baby name trends for the next year based on the names registered by hundreds of thousands of parents using their app. For 2025, a few interesting and unexpected influences are shaping the baby name landscape.
Sports Moments Influence Baby Names
The Paris Olympics may be over, but the French-inspired names they brought into the spotlight are still making waves. For boys, names like Raphael and Beaux are gaining popularity, while girls' names like Louise, Elodie, and Arlette are also rising in the ranks. Other names like Remi, Gustavo, and Jolie are becoming increasingly popular as well.
The rising viewership of women’s basketball is another significant influence, with names inspired by players like Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and A’ja Wilson gaining traction. In the world of football, Super Bowl LVIII’s record-breaking viewership led to names like Creed (after Chiefs center Creed Humphrey) and Isiah (inspired by Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco) becoming more common. The name Travis, as in Travis Kelce, has also seen a boost, possibly due to his connection with Taylor Swift rather than just the football field.
Pop Stars Impacting Baby Names
Pop music continues to shape baby names, with names of female singers like Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish on the rise. While the name Brat didn’t become popular after Charlie XCX’s Brat album, Apple, featured in one of the songs, did gain some attention. Additionally, Taylor Swift’s album The Tortured Poet’s Department inspired a surge in the names Peter and Robin for boys.
On the flip side, Justin Timberlake’s recent controversies caused his name to fall in popularity, dropping 59 spots to number 277, signaling a shift in the pop culture landscape.
TV Shows Inspiring Baby Names
Hit television shows are another source of baby name inspiration. Parents are naming their children after popular characters to give them that “main character energy,” with names like Riley (from Inside Out), Carmen (from The Bear), Deborah (from Hacks), and Ripley (from The Talented Mr. Ripley on Netflix) making the list. The choice of Ripley, especially considering the character’s less-than-ideal traits, might seem surprising, but Andrew Scott’s portrayal has made the name stand out.
Nature Inspires Baby Names
Mother Nature has also played a role in baby naming trends. The solar eclipse in April 2024 sparked a rise in the name Sol, which means “sun” in Spanish, and even the name Eclipse saw a dramatic increase in popularity, jumping 4,421 spots. For boys, the name Orion, inspired by the constellation, also made a notable climb to number 301, giving a cosmic touch to the trend.
These are just a few examples of how the world around us, from sports events to pop culture, continues to shape the names of the next generation. The names emerging for 2025 reflect a world of influence, creativity, and change, giving us a glimpse into the kinds of stories the babies of tomorrow will carry with them.