The Trendiest Names of the Future 📈

What's going to be hot in the 2040s?

Our big story this week is on the Trendiest Names of the Century — in other words, the fastest-rising names between 2000 and today.

If you haven’t read the piece already, take a second and try and guess the trendiest boy name (up over 10,000 spots between 2000 and 2023!) and trendiest girl name of the 21st century. It’s harder than you think!

Naturally, I began to think about what the trendiest names of the next 20-ish years would be, so I challenged my colleagues to make predictions within the same parameters:

• Girl names given to 21 or fewer baby girls in 2023. (The girl name in our study most common in 2000 was Ophelia, given to 21 baby girls that year)

• Boy names given to 12 or fewer baby boys in 2023. (Koda and Memphis were used 12 times each in 2000)

We have a strong track record when it comes to name forecasting. But you be the judge — will these be the trendiest names of the 2040s?

The Trendiest Girl Names of the Future

Atalanta

“Names from mythology beginning with A have been capturing parents’ attention in recent years, with Athena, Atticus, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Atreus, and Aurora in the charts. Atalanta is a bold but approachable choice with a similar sound and style that could catch on.” — Grace

Cosima

“I can never believe how few baby girls are given this rich, elegant, worldly name: only a dozen last year! Especially since it comes with the coziest nickname ever: Cosy.” — Pam

Ebba

“I'm playing the "similar yet different enough to popular names" card here. Ebba is a distinctive alternative to names like Emma and Ella — and fast-rising Etta — with a cool Scandinavian aesthetic. It's mentioned a lot in the Nameberry forums, so we know it's on at least some future parents' minds. Ebba was given to 19 baby girls in 2023.” — Clare

Elsbeth

“A German variation of Elizabeth, Elsbeth offers a clear path to the nickname Elsie. Though rare — used just five times in 2023 — the new CBS series Elsbeth starring Carrie Preston could give this offbeat name some traction.” — Madison

Khepri

“I think this lively and spirited Egyptian mythology name — the god of the morning sun — has potential for both sexes. Used for 9 baby girls and 6 baby boys in 2023.” — Brynn

Malone

“Irish surnames have been trending for decades, and this will be one of the next batch to enter the spotlight.” — Brynn

Nettie

“I’m always surprised we don’t hear Nettie used more often for baby girls — it was only used 18 times last year! Nettie feels like a sister name for up-and-comers like Mabel and Ida, and a natural successor for Nellie, Etta, and Lettie.” — Sophie

Novie

“The love child of Nova and Jovie was given to only eight baby girls last year, but one of them was the child of an influencer couple.” — Pam

Romilly

“More often heard in Britain, Romilly first appeared in the US charts in 2013 and was given to 15 baby girls last year. Like Ebba, Romilly is unexpected yet not too unfamiliar, and Romy and Millie are very appealing nickname options. Many name lovers have been crushing on Romilly for years — let's hope it will finally spread more widely.” — Clare

Tansy

“With its sweet, zippy sounds, this flower name feels like it could fit in with the likes of Lily, Ivy, and Hazel, but also with nickname styles names such as Elsie, Maisie, and Lottie, all without sounding out of place with contemporary choices like Kinsley and Kenzie.” — Grace

Vaughn

“Mark my words, Vaughn will be the next Sloane. It’s a sleek, tailored choice with a distinctive sound and, perhaps most importantly, is a deeply rooted Welsh surname.” — Sophie

Viper

“Piper with an edge. Used for 5 baby girls in 2023.” — Brynn

The Trendiest Boy Names of the Future

Ayo

“This vowel-rich traveling lite name is worn by reality TV star Ayo Odukoya from the most recent season of Love Island UK.” — Brynn

Barnes

“Is it too obvious to pick a surname ending with S? This trend looks set to stay for a while, so any common English last name with this ending is likely to rise. Some parents may like Barney as a nickname (dinosaur notwithstanding!). Barnes was used ten times last year.” — Clare

Bramwell

“Part cozy and part preppy, with a hint of Gothic literature thrown in, Bramwell is a last name inspired choice which could get you to the nicknames Bram and Wells. It feels like it could rise as an alternative to Maxwell, Brandon, or Bellamy.” — Grace

Cosmos

“Bold, lofty word names like Chosen, Saint, and Valor have gained attention in recent years and Cosmos, encompassing the whole universe, feels like it could rise alongside the unexpectedly popular word choices. It sounds similar to Cosmo, Atlas, and Cassius, and is a botanical name too.” — Grace

Hazer

“Part Hayes and part Lazer, Hazer is a trendy combination of S-ending surname and aggressive word name, given to only five baby boys last year.” — Pam

Howell

“Vintage H names for boys — think Howard, Harold, and Harvey — are about to come back in a big way, and Howie will be one of the coolest nicknames on the block. That will naturally lead parents to Howell, which at last count was only used for ten baby boys.” — Sophie

Jem

“To Kill a Mockingbird inspired parents to use Scout, but Jem remains overlooked. As more parents seek fresh ways to honor James, Jem could be the next choice to rise.” — Madison

Sayer

“Sayer is a personal favorite that for some unknowable reason hasn't risen the way other occupational surnames have. Originally a name for someone who recited poetry and news — in an era when few people could read, that was an actual job — Sayer was given to only six baby boys last year.” Pam

Solo

“The next Maverick, Solo encapsulates independent, headstrong, “sigma” type energy (there’s a Gen Z slang term for you). Used for eight baby boys in 2023.” — Brynn

Tashi

“Recently seen on Zendaya’s character in Challengers, Tashi could be a future Traveling Lite hit for both sexes. At last count, it was used for nine baby boys and eight baby girls in the US.” — Sophie

Wyeth

“Cool and arty, Wyeth combines the sounds and letters of Wyatt, Ethan, Theo, Matthew, and Seth while also fitting into the last names as first names trend. It has gained attention here and there since the ‘70s and could gain more in the future as parents look for alternatives to popular names.” — Grace

York

“Short and strong with a funky first initial — there’s a lot to love about York! Plus, it’s connected to an important (but little known) American hero.” — Sophie

Berries’ Choice 🍓

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