Baby Names

After Awards Season, These ‘Wicked’ Baby Names Are Getting ‘Popular’

written by ROBERTA CORREIA
updated by PATTY SCHEPEL
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Source: Etsy | Rookie Trendz
Source: Etsy | Rookie Trendz

Is your family watching Wicked on repeat, or is it just mine? For an almost three-hour-long movie, it’s certainly got staying power. And with the film taking home two Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards, I think we’re ready to talk about Wicked baby names.

Baby name inspo can come from anywhere. When I was choosing my son’s name almost nine years ago, my favorite movies and TV shows were definitely top of mind. Ultimately, we settled on Lucas—which is partly due to Luke Skywalker, Lucasfilm, and Luke Perry (IYKYK). Thinking about today’s pop culture phenomenon, and naturally, Wicked is the first thing that comes to mind.

There are so many rich characters and strong monikers to inspire a Wicked baby name. In fact, choosing a Wicked baby name gets almost too easy if you open it up to the whole Wizard of Oz universe.

If you’re an Oz super-fan or not, these Wicked-inspired baby names are sure to be popular. In fact, a few are already gaining momentum. Data experts at Attraction Tickets have analyzed emerging baby name trends from the name site Nameberry, recent Google search trends, and the U.S. Social Security Administration’s list of the most popular baby names and found a surge in Wicked-inspired names across the United States. They shared the data with The Everymom and here I’m sharing some of the Wicked baby names rising in popularity, plus my other top Wicked-inspired baby names.

Wicked Baby Names on the Rise

Nessarose

Nessarose was previously unranked. However, this cute name has spiked in interest. According to the data analysis from Attraction Tickets, Nessarose could rise to be in the top 1000 most popular baby names by 2026. Have a baby girl on the way? Give a nod to Wicked and name your baby girl Nessarose, or Nessa, a Wicked-inspired name also gaining popularity.

Dorothy

Dorothy has always been an adorable name, but with The Wizard of Oz characters in the mix, it is definitely making a comeback. Old-fashioned girl names are a major baby-naming trend for 2025. Not only does this one honor the girl who went over the rainbow but also my favorite Golden Girl.

Elphaba

I bet you didn’t know that the name Elphaba is taken from the initials of Wizard of Oz writer L. Frank Baum. L, F, Ba. While Elphaba is experiencing a 97% interest surge, if the name is too much for you, maybe take inspiration from its origins and get creative with blending the initials of a meaningful someone.

Elphie

It’s no surprise that we love the name Elphaba, but how cute does “Elphie” sound, too? In recent stats, there has been a 97% increase in interest over the name. And if you’re having a baby boy but love the Elphaba character? Use the gender-neutral name Elphie.

Fiyero

This Wicked baby names list would not be complete without acknowledging the Winkie Prince. You could even get creative and go for Tigelaar as a baby boy name, but if you’re looking for a strong Wicked-inspired name, the Italian name Fiyero means “furious”. While currently ranked outside the top 1000 most popular baby names, Fiyero has experienced a 14% increase in interest, according to the data analysis by Attraction Tickets.

Galinda

Interest in Glinda’s name, before she transforms, is up 12%. According to the experts at Nameberry, the name Galinda “comes from the Germanic element gal meaning ‘to sing’ and lind meaning ‘soft, tender’, which come together to make a music-inspired name.”

More Wicked Inspired Baby Boy Names

Ozzy

This might be the cutest name on this list as far as I’m concerned. Maybe it’s just a cute nickname for Oscar; maybe it’s a name of its own. But I just picture the cutest little munchkin being called Ozzy, and it melts my heart.

Henry

If you’re a Wizard of Oz and Lost fan, you’ll recognize the name Henry Gale. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s uncle was named Henry. You can’t go wrong with this classic baby boy name.

Bowen

This sweet-sounding boy’s name takes inspiration from the Wicked movie cast. Comedian Bowen Yang plays Glinda’s friend/follower Pfannee. Of Welsh and Irish origin, the name Bowen means “son of Owen.”

Easton

With the anticipation of Wicked Part 2, Wicked: For Good, we’re excited to encounter the Wicked Witch of the East. The name Easton hit the top 100 most popular baby boy names in 2012, and has stayed there ever since.

Oscar

In the original Wizard of Oz book, the Wizard’s name was—you guessed it—Oscar. In the first Wicked movie we get a glimpse of that when Glinda and Elphaba board his balloon with the name “Oscar Diggs” on the side. In the book, his full name was actually Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs. And the word Oz came from his initials. Not to mention, Wicked also took home two Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards.

Frank

If you’re a diehard Wicked fan, that means you’re probably a Wizard of Oz fan. Why not pay homage to the man who created the whole universe, L. Frank Baum?

West

If you’re looking to the Western sky for baby name ideas, this directional moniker is a pretty good fit.

wicked baby names for girls
Source: Etsy | Hop Craft Studios

More Wicked Inspired Baby Girl Names

Glinda

Even if your little one isn’t coming in on a bubble, Glinda is a precious name. It’s a derivative of the name Glenda, of Welsh origin and meaning “goodness.” Sounds about right for our popular girl.

Rose

A more traditional take on Nessarose is to just go with Rose. It also happens to be the birth flower of June babies.

Melena

Did you know that in the Wicked book, Elphaba and Nessarose’s mom has a name? That name is Melena. Which is a lovely name for a sweet little girl.

Emily

Auntie Em may not be the most “popular” Wizard of Oz character, but Emily has risen to the top of the baby charts since the early 1990s. It’s a classic name that you can never go wrong with.

Emerald

If you dream of One Short Day in the Emerald City all day, a name like Emerald might just be for you. And if you’re having a May baby, it’s the perfect nod to the baby’s birthstone.

roberta correia
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roberta Correia, Editor-in-Chief

Roberta is an editor with 10+ years experience in content strategy and brand building. Before joining The Everymom she was Editorial Director at Brides and previously served as Digital Editor at Women’s Wear Daily. She grew up in Brazil and currently calls Brooklyn home with her son, Lucas.

patty schepel the everymom editorial intern
UPDATED BY

Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant

As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.