Here at The Everymom, there’s one yearly event that’s not a holiday but brings us about just as much joy and anticipation: the annual release of the Social Security Administration’s top baby names of the previous year. It’s so fun to see things like which names stuck around, which plummeted, and how baby naming was influenced by pop culture (the Yellowstone effect hit hard last year with Dutton and Kayce as the fastest rising boys names.)
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If you’re welcoming a little one in 2024, you may be tackling the ever-challenging baby name selection process. Whether you’ve got no idea where to begin or have one locked down, seeing the upcoming trends can be fun. That’s why we’re sharing our 2024 baby name predictions and some creative baby naming inspiration for the new year. Think: clever swaps, stepping back in time, and even taking to the skies. Read on for our 2024 baby name trend predictions.
Last Names for First Names
One of our favorite trends we see surfacing more in 2024 is the use of last names for first names. This trend is as fun as it is sentimental. It offers a great way to commemorate a name that may otherwise be left behind. A parent who gives up their surname when getting married can allow their family heritage to live on by utilizing it in a creative way. Or, hey, even just using a surname you like and aren’t related to is good enough for us!
Check out some of our favorite surname baby names:
- Anderson
- Campbell
- Harrison
- Monroe
- Pearson
- Thompson
Atmospheric Titles
Nature-inspired baby names are no foreign concept, but we predict 2024 is going to give us an out-of-this-world twist. With the popularity of names like Luna in recent years, it’s no surprise people will want to capture the same astronomical feeling while being a bit different. Plus, we’ve already seen celebrities go this route, like trendsetter Kylie Jenner, who changed the name of her son to Aire in 2023.
Some celestial baby names to consider:
- Elio
- Celeste
- Storm
- Sunny
- Zephyr
Gender-Neutral Baby Names
Long gone are the days when names had to be only for one gender. In recent years, one of our favorite examples of this baby name trend is James transitioning from a predominantly male name to one that’s beloved by parents of both boys and girls. And we expect far more similar examples in the future. There are plenty of delightful names that don’t lean too heavily masculine or feminine and work well for a baby of any gender.
Here are some of our favorite gender-neutral baby name options:
- Aubrey
- Brooks
- Hayden
- Noah
- Quinn
“Adult” Names
There was a time when very “baby”-ish names were all the rave (and plenty will still be around). But now we’re seeing a shift towards more firm and sophisticated names for newborns. We all know babies won’t be little forever, so cutesy names like Olive, Poppy, and Coco might become less popular. They’re being replaced with names we often associate with adults, giving babies a title to grow into. These typically tend to be the names that have already withstood the test of time as more distinguished monikers as opposed to sweet nicknames.
Consider these options:
- Duncan
- Harold
- Heath
- Amelia
- Georgina
- Sylvia
Retro Revivals
When it comes to selecting the perfect baby name, many parents go one of two ways. Either they like to think outside of the box and choose something unique, or they opt to go the traditional name route. In 2024, we expect to see more tried and true names hitting the SSA List—AKA the retro and vintage titles of our grandparents’ time. There’s a reason these names have maintained their place on the charts time and time again. It’s a classic case of, why fix what isn’t broken? The best part is that even though these names may have historically been popular choices, that makes it likely there’s a special person in our lives who shares the title we’re selecting, meaning rather than giving baby a “trendy” name, it’s deeply personal.
Here are some of our favorite retro and vintage style names:
- Estelle
- Inez
- Louisa
- Archie
- Edmund
- Silas
Girl Names for Boys
We’ve seen and grown to love the idea of using traditionally boy names for girls, but the pendulum hadn’t started swinging the other way until recently. We’ve come to realize that girls deserve the strong titles often reserved for boys, and now we’re seeing the opposite is true as well. Some softer titles may be quite fitting for the sweet little boys of the next generation. Not only do we see this trend in given names of 2024, but in middle name options as well.
Consider these traditionally girl names for boys:
- Addison
- Blair
- Greer
- Marley
- Rose
Embracing Femininity for Girls
Call it 2023’s Barbie craze or the “lavender haze” the Eras Tour left us all in, but 2024 will likely be filled with highly feminine names in the baby girl department. We were reminded that tapping into femininity can be powerful and should be celebrated. We expect that excitement to inspire baby name choices in 2024 and beyond.
Our favorite ultra-feminine names include:
- Dorothea
- Evangeline
- Gwendolyn
- Henrietta
- Isadora
- Lucille
Gentle-Sounds
With gentle parenting becoming more of a norm recently, parents are taking this concept into the baby name space. They’re doing so with soft, gentle-sounding names that embody a peaceful atmosphere for babies to flourish in. The goal of this sensitivity-forward approach is to teach children to embrace and manage their emotions. This means there will be little place for harsh sounds in the name department. Think prominent vowels and fluid consonants.
Some of our favorite gentle names include:
- Alfie
- Casper
- Jonah
- Faye
- Lianna
- Selah
Music-Inspired Names
Our favorite artists influence us in all kinds of ways, including naming our little ones. While this trend is nothing new—music has been inspiring people for centuries—it has taken a break from being a predominant trend in recent years. This year, we expect to see lots of names of musical icons hitting the charts. If there ever was a time to pay homage to your favorite band, it’s now.
Check out the musical icon baby names:
- Cobain
- Hendrix
- Lennon
- Dolly
- Loretta
