For all the families expecting a new baby in the new year, it’s an exciting — if a bit stressful — time. There’s all the happiness that comes with welcoming a bundle of joy into the family … and all the angst of preparing. There’s getting all the baby gear, getting the house ready (which could be made easier with the up-and-coming and highly-beloved nesting party trend), and perhaps the hardest part of all — picking out a baby name.
Unless you’re one of the lucky few who has a family baby naming tradition at the ready, picking out a baby name can be a difficult and touchy task. (Who are we kidding — even the traditions can come with baggage!) Just take a quick look at the “Am I The A—hole?” (AITA) subreddit, and you’ll quickly find yourself falling down a rabbit hole filled with heaps of baby name drama.
And so, to save you from all the agita that comes with choosing a baby name, we’ve combed through all the baby name trends to find the most unique and popular ones out there. In 2024, expectant parents fell in love with these categories — or, at the very least, with the inspiration they spark.
Without further ado (because we know you have a whole laundry list of things to get to before the baby arrives!), here is a breakdown of steampunk baby names, dark cottagecore names, castlecore names, quiet luxury names, and pretty much everything in between.
Melodic French Girl Names
There’s some interesting nuance to this one, but a lot of Americans are seeking the elegant and sophisticated vibe that so many French names radiate. For instance, there’s Adélie, which means “noble,” Esmé, which means “esteemed or loved,” and Vivienne, which means “alive.”
Find our favorite French girl names HERE.
Steampunk Baby Names
Parents are also leaning into steampunk baby names that are both retro and futuristic. They embody a unique blend of elegance and industry that is as fantastical as it is timeless. For instance, there are names like Gideon, Hugo, and Lucien for baby boys, as well as Odette, Evangeline, and Eudora for baby girls. There are also wonderful gender-neutral names like Piper, Cyrus, and Jules.
Find our favorite steampunk baby names HERE.
Dark Cottagecore Names
You’re probably familiar with the quaint cottagecore trend — but did you know “dark cottagecore” is gaining traction? Families are looking for names that have a hint of both sweet and sinister. They have an irresistible duality. Think: A dash of charm and a splash of mysticism. Names such as Ambrose (meaning “immortal”), Valeria, Conrad (meaning “brave and wise”), Griffin, and more.
Find our favorite dark cottagecore baby names HERE.
Goth Girl Names
Goth girl names — which are dark, romantic, antiquated, and mysterious — are also having a moment. We said it before, and we’ll say it again: these are names that would easily inspire an Edgar Allen Poe poem. For example, there are moody and beautiful names like Raven, Winona, Luna, and Lenore.
Find our favorite goth baby names for girls HERE.
Sweet & Strong Southern Girl Names
If your sweet pea is going to be growing up drinking sweet tea, you might want to choose one of these Southern girl names. Readers loved how these names are traditional yet modern and feel just as powerful as they are precious. The trend includes names like Vera, Paisley, Harper (Lee?!), and Dolly (Parton?!)
Find our favorite sweet and strong Southern baby names for girls HERE.
Strong & Charming Southern Boy Names
As for baby boys, if you’re looking for a little “yeehaw” in their moniker, look no further! Austin, Beau, Colton, and Ford all scream “Southern gentleman.”
Find our favorite strong and charming Southern baby names for boys HERE.
Boho Baby Names
Every free-spirited baby needs the perfect boho name to match their creative, artsy, and calm vibe. With dozens to choose from, we’re partial to names like Lyric, Clover, Echo, Matilda, and Kai.
Find our favorite boho baby names HERE.
Castlecore Baby Names
Hear ye, hear ye! The castlecore baby name trend is for all the young princes and princesses on the way. Not only was it big in 2024, but this month, Pinterest dropped their trend forecast for 2025 and they said search volume for “medieval core” and related terms (like castlecore!) has been way up.
“Medieval is having a major moment,” Pinterest said in their report. “In 2025, Gen Z and Millennials will take home decor inspiration from ancient castles, while fashion and accessories will be gothic inspired. It’s a comeback of the highest order.”
And so people are leaning into Renaissance-era names like Benedict, Dominic, Cora, and Gisela.
Find our favorite castlecore baby names HERE.
Girl Names That Were Once More Common for Boys
In a world that is often so binary, young parents are always interested in gender-neutral names and the evolution of gender norms. What’s interesting is that there are some really popular baby girl names that were once more popular for boys. Did you know Hilary, Lauren, Courtney, and Jocelyn used to be male monikers?
Find our favorite (and fascinating!) girl names that were once more common for boys HERE.
Quiet Luxury Baby Names
“Quiet luxury” baby names got a special spotlight when Sofia Richie leaned into the trend with her daughter. The vibe is all about subtly exuding old-money status and prestige. So how do you do that? With names like Preston, Grant, Corrine, and Sloane. Or, like Richie chose: Eloise Samantha.
Find our favorite quiet luxury baby names HERE.
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