Can a Name be Classic *and* Trendy?

A question on the forums had Nameberry HQ abuzz this week — is Aurora a classic or trendy name?

To answer this question, we have to define what makes a name classic versus what makes one trendy.

Classic baby names are those with a long history of use. They’re traditional choices, and the most classic among them are names that have always been in the Top 1000.

What’s less clear is when a baby name becomes trendy. Does it have to reach a certain point of popularity? Or follow a particular trend line? Here’s what the Berries have to say:

tallemaja: [A] sudden explosion in popularity makes me think of [a name] as a trendy choice.

juniebea: I’d say trendy is the opposite of timeless, [when a name] has aged and become a product of its time.

EagleEyes: [A name rising] to popularity kind of quickly is what makes it feel trendy to me, rather than classic names that are always common.

So is Aurora classic or trendy? Well, it’s both.

It’s (pretty much) been in the Top 1000 since records began, but it’s recently quite popular, having joined the Top 100 in 2015 and Top 50 in 2018.

In the words of greyblue: Aurora feels contemporary and on trend, but well established, with a long history of usage.

There are plenty more names like Aurora which are ultra-classics that recently shot up in popularity. We’ve calculated the percent rise (in total number of babies) from 2022-2022 of names that have always been in the Top 1000 to find the trendiest classics right now:

Classic and Trendy Girl Names

1. Nora, up 902%

2. Charlotte, up 704%

3. Eleanor, up 595%

4. Amelia, up 405%

5. Cora, up 403%

6. Lucia, up 320%

7. Iris, up 279%

8. Evelyn, up 176%

9. Josephine, up 170%

10. Clara, up 147%

Classic and Trendy Boy Names

1. Emmett, up 1197%

2. Oliver, up 1193%

3. August, up 1111%

4. Everett, up 1058%

5. Theodore, up 1003%

6. Leo, up 920%

7. Ellis, up 515%

8. Jasper, up 506%

9. Elliott, up 431%

10. Elias, up 324%

The Newest Names on Nameberry

1. If you enjoy “Names I Like But Won’t Be Using” videos on social media, you’ve probably encountered this name recently 👯‍♀️

2. This cowboy-style name was used for fewer than five baby boys at last count 🤠

3. A celebrity baby name that’s as peaceful as it is scientific ⚡️

4. This Welsh name feels so very Berry 🧝‍♀️

5. Guess which TV show I’ve been watching lately 🃏

More fun things

• US name records only go back to 1880, but we have the inside scoop on names before 1850 📜

• Nominate a future Top 10 name 🔮

• Word associations can definitely change the vibe of names — Soren will always feel like a “soaring” name to me 🦅

• Love Freya, but not its popularity? Here are 50 uncommon alternatives to Freya 👑

• The next wave of last names as first names is on its way! 🌊