I am completely fascinated by trends, by their inevitability and their power to wholly captivate us, and equally, by people’s strong resistance to them. While we all follow them, we don’t dare admit to it. The idea is that following trends is somehow bad.
The truth is that trends are unavoidable. They follow a natural cycle, and we comply lockstep with only vague awareness that we’re doing so (think Miranda Priestly’s blue sweater speech in The Devil Wears Prada). The process of choosing a baby name, even, isn’t as autonomous as we may think it is. Our decisions about what we like is always to some extent decided for us by outside forces. Even those names we have “always loved” came from somewhere.
So we’re going to move beyond those warnings to “steer clear of baby name trends.” Instead, we think it’s useful to understand trends so that you can make them work for you when naming your child. After all, following trends does have some real benefits: it makes our style feel current and gives our child’s name relevance and context. It also helps our child fit in with classmates with similarly styled names.
First, let’s explore how the natural trend cycle works, and how that shapes our tastes in names. When we understand the larger factors at work in our name choices, we can avoid choosing a baby name that will fall quickly and, instead, pick one that we’ll love long term.
The Trend Cycle
It’s generally accepted that baby names come back into style every 100 years or so. This 100 year rule is based on the idea that it takes that long for a name to feel fresh again. And it’s true: the Dorothys, Bettys, and Ruths of 1920 are looking very stylish to us right about now.
We can also look to fashion theorist James Laver to explain how trends work in naming. Laver’s Law maps out the fashion trend cycle from 10 years before to 150 years after a trend’s time, calling current fashion “smart,” and fashion 100 years later “romantic”:
| Indecent | 10 years before its time |
| Shameless | 5 years before its time |
| Outré (Daring) | 1 year before its time |
| Smart | Current Fashion |
| Dowdy | 1 year after its time |
| Hideous | 10 years after its time |
| Ridiculous | 20 years after its time |
| Amusing | 30 years after its time |
| Quaint | 50 years after its time |
| Charming | 70 years after its time |
| Romantic | 100 years after its time |
| Beautiful | 150 years after its time |
Thinking of baby name trends as cyclical can help explain why vintage names are now in style, why we tend to prefer the same baby names as our peers, and why baby names seem “dowdy” (after one year), “hideous” (after 10) and “ridiculous” (after 20) when they’re past their prime.
So how do we use the trends to help us choose a baby name? Here are our six tips:
Tip #1
Trends define the sound, feel, and style of baby names in a current era. An on-trend baby name is one that embodies these qualities. But there’s a difference between an “on trend” name and a “trendy” one. The trendy baby name is a fad and often an outlier. It’s a single name that may or may not follow larger naming trends. It may not be mainstream enough to rank on the popular name lists but it has exploded in usage. It’s usually a name that someone with influence has brought out of obscurity and introduced to the masses. While we can fall hard and fast for these names, our crush may be short lived. And while it’s one thing to regret that pair of jeans you bought because they looked sooooo good behind that Instagram filter, a baby name isn’t returnable; you’ve really gotta love it.
The Trend Test
How do you know if you’ve picked a trendy name? Here are some clues:
- It is significant in pop culture. Can you can trace the name to a recent Netflix or Hulu show, a popular film or film franchise, an influencer or celebrity? Typically, the trendy name will have multiple pop culture associations, or an extremely influential one.
- It has risen up the popularity charts quickly, recently, and seemingly out of nowhere. Track the name’s change in popularity with SSA’s “Popularity of a Name” tool and Baby Name Wizard’s Name Voyager. What year was the name at its most popular? Is it becoming more or less popular? How quickly is that change happening? The quicker it’s moving up the charts, the more likely it is to be a trendy name. (the inverse is true as well: quickly moving down = fading trend).
- It is fresh on your radar. You’ve heard the name and can’t get it out of your head. But how long have you liked it? If you’ve just recently come upon it, this could be a sign that others are just now coming upon it, too.
So you’ve asked yourself these questions, and all signs point to “trendy.” What now? Before you decide if you’ll use the name, we suggest keeping a few things in mind:
Ask yourself how you would feel if other kids shared your child’s name. Statistically, it’s more likely that your kid will share a name with peers if you choose a top ten name, of course. But it’s more likely that you’ll care about other kids sharing your kid’s name if you’ve chosen a trendy one. This is because people who choose popular (top ranking) names often do so despite the fact that the names are popular. They know the name is popular and they choose it anyway. However, because trendy names often rise in popularity quickly but may not yet sit high in the rankings, people often choose them without realizing that the name is trendy. So if you choose a trendy name, you’ll want to be okay with your child not being the only one.
Trendy names are more likely to sound dated once the trend has faded out. Therefore, people tend to have more strongly negative reactions to trendy names once the trend has passed. These names can oversaturate the schools and playgrounds and our ears tire of them quickly. Madison and Aiden might be our best present-day examples of this phenomenon.
Resist the urge to avoid the trendy name by choosing a name that sounds like it. Often, when we want to use a name but feel that it’s too trendy, we “re-work” the name with an alternate spelling or find a less popular name with a similar sound. As a result, names that sound like a trendy name increase in popularity right alongside said trendy name, research shows. When Madison became big, so did Addison. When Aiden was a thing, so followed Jaden. So while an alternate name choice may never trump the original name’s popularity, it may elicit the same reactions when the trend fades.
Tip #2
If you want to avoid a trendy baby name, try moving beyond the micro level of individual names and toward trends as concepts. One way to do this is to use the trend cycle to your advantage. There’s a certain degree of predictability there. Look back at the names that were popular 100 years ago and see what they have in common to get a sense of what is currently on trend or what will be in the next few years.
You can also find an alternative to a name you like by exploring what it is you like about it. If you like the name Jackson, for example, (when you combine the spelling variations, this name actually leaps ahead of Liam as the most popular male name in the US), consider why that is. Perhaps it’s the ck/x sound, its surname style, or the association with the pop star. These features are all name trends in themselves– “x” names, last names as first names, and famous namesakes. By thinking conceptually about a name choice, you might find a less popular, equally appealing alternative.
Tip #3
Coco Chanel’s famous advice to “look in the mirror and take one thing off” before leaving the house applies to naming, too. In a name–as in fashion–there needs to be a focal point. Trends can feel overworked and try-hard when too many are incorporated at once.
We think trendy names work best when used in combination with something more classic or with personal significance. A too-trendy first-name middle-name combination can come across as a trend mish mash that lacks a grounded, timeless, and/or substantive piece. You want that statement necklace to pop? Wear it with a little black dress. Go Luna Josephine instead of Luna Harper; Jackson Marcus, rather than Jackson Finn. Or, put that trendy name in the middle-name spot and go classic for the first name.
Tip #4
Just like in fashion, you want to incorporate baby name trends that are in keeping with your aesthetic. Look at the core of what you like about the name. While our personal tastes are always evolving (look back at a photo of yourself from 10 years ago, if you don’t believe me), we generally have style preferences that stay with us for the long haul.
But if you’ve never thought much about names until naming your own child, you might not know your own name style. It can be a good exercise to look through name lists and circle all the names you like, or collect baby name “pins” on a Pinterest board, without thinking too much about your choices. Then look over your list. Did you choose the long, romantic ones? The short preppy ones? The esoteric ones? If there’s a clear pattern to what you like, you just might have a name style. Choosing a name that fits into that style may make it a more natural and lasting fit.
Tip #5
Personal meaning gives everything more staying power. Here are some qualities of names that may make them meaningful long term:
Associations
Name associations are perhaps the most personal and idiosyncratic consideration when naming. Just as we quickly rule out names of exes, or serial killers, when naming our kids, we also consider the positive associations. The idea of the name as a self-fulfilling prophecy is what leads people to name their children after beloved characters, historical figures, and even items/brands associated with luxury. If the name connotes something positive or aspirational for you, it’ll probably continue to do so even after baby is born.
Sound and Length
We all have sounds and patterns that appeal to us, and those that we turn away from. For example, I love the long I (Eliza, Iris, Caroline, give me ALL the I names) and I don’t like names with strongly repetitive sounds in the first and last names (like Rory McIlroy– too much “OY”). I also tend to prefer when the length of the first name and last name complement one another–so a short first name with a longer last name and vice versa. Staying attuned to our personal sound preferences can ensure that we’ll choose a name that lasts. For an interesting discussion on name rhythm, we like this episode of The Baby Names Podcast.
Significance
Choose a name with personal significance. If you choose a name that relates to something you love, an experience you’ve had, a place you’ve been, or a culture or community you’re a part of, it’ll be forever linked to those interests and will remain meaningful long term.
Tip #6
In the fashion world, we’re Kondo-ing our closets, capsule-wardrobing, hitting up luxury resale sites instead of big box stores. Fast-fashion is giving way to sustainability. But just as it may be more exciting to impulse buy that poly-blend, shoulder-baring jumpsuit rather than save for the $80 organic cotton tee, it’s similarly challenging to let go of the name that seems striking in the moment in favor of one that will stick with us for years to come. A trendy name may give us a thrill, but it’s fleeting. Sure we all want to stand out. But we also want to be classic beauties that stand the test of time. It’s a balance, folks.
If you’re hung up on a trendy name, perhaps it’s because you think the only alternative is a traditional name. Instead, think about sustainability, finding a name that will stand the test of time. For some great ideas, check out our favorite lists of girl and boy names that have long-term wearability and strike the perfect balance between classic and captivating.
And those are our tips for working within baby name trends to find a name you love. Thinking conceptually about trends and considering your own personal style can steer you clear of the “impulse buy” trendy name and toward the long-term investment.
What other advice do you have for expecting parents who want an on-trend name choice that isn’t overdone?
For more baby naming tips, check out our 5 must dos and our list of our favorite baby name resources!