As we creep closer to 2024, baby naming trends are evolving. A pair of baby name experts from each side of the Atlantic are making their predictions about what names will be popular with new parents in the new year.
Steph Coffield, a baby name expert from Minnesota, sees a trend towards gender-neutral names, particularly last names used as first names. "I’m seeing a lot of whimsical, gender-neutral surnames being given as first names,” she says. While some parents may take a “more adventurous” approach with names like Fisher, Huxley and Ridley, Coffield says she’s also seeing the opposite, a preference for classic names that are familiar, but not as popular, so their child doesn’t have the same name as five other kids in their class.
Coffield thinks these names will trend in the U.S. in 2024:
For girls:
- Collins
- Juniper
- Sloane
- Maddison
- Spencer
- Annie
- Margaret
For boys:
- Cameron
- Carter
- Waylon
- Campbell
- Harrison
- Nathaniel
- Vincent
In the U.K., baby name consultant SJ Strum predicts Elizabeth and related names like Eliza and Betty will see a spike in popularity after the death of Queen Elizabeth. As for trends, she says “quiet luxury” will be big, including names like Ophelia and Anastasia, as well as gender neutral names like River, Wren and Noa.
Strum’s picks for popular U.K. names for 2024:
For girls:
- Delilah
- Margot
- Maeve
- Indie
- Ophelia
- Nora
- Cleo
- Harlow
For boys:
- Otto
- Kit
- Enzo
- Reuben
- Rupert
- Otis
- Jude
Source: NY Post