Baby names are headed in a whole new direction this year – with parents using baby naming as an opportunity to create a ‘brand’, not just for their kids, but for themselves.

The baby naming experts at Nameberry have forecast the baby name trends headed our way in 2024, and it’s all about mum and dad! Parents are now using baby names as a way to reflect their own tastes, values and identities – with some unique monikers set to gain in popularity.

From girl names for boys to gentle parenting names, this year’s crop of newborns are set to stand out from the crowd.

“Today’s parents are fixated on sending the right messages with the names they choose,” said Nameberry creator Pamela Redmond. “The perfect baby name for 2024 is one that is ahead of the style curve, personally significant, and identity-defining.”

Here’s a look at the trends likely to be influencing baby names in 2024, and the baby names they’ve inspired.

Girl Names For Boys

Here’s a trend we didn’t see coming! While ‘traditional’ boy names have been used for girls for generations, it appears this year the trend is going to head the other way. Traditional feminine names are likely to gain in popularity, following the example of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, who named their son Wren.

Here are some of Nameberry’s suggestions for the best girl names for boys:

Feminine Feminist Names

Nameberry says the popularity of the Barbie movie, and its strong female lead, have prompted a rise in the popularity of strong, feminist baby names – that are still feminine. Think empowering, yet still ‘girly’.

Here are some ‘new feminist baby names’ for your list:

 Little Adult Names

Another emerging trend is steering away from more ‘babyish’ or less-traditional names, and sticking to more adult-sounding names. Because, after all, you are naming an adult, not a baby!

Here are some examples of adult names for babies.

Gentle Parenting Names

With gentle parenting becoming an increasingly popular style of parenting, so too comes the names that suit this philosophy.

Here are some names that work well with this sensitive approach to parenting.

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