Next year’s list of the top baby names predictions for boys and girls has emerged and experts have noticed some intriguing trends.
The year of 2025 is set to be dominated by imaginative and meaningful baby names, with new parents expected to opt for monikers that are rooted in culture.
With the top names of 2024 being revealed by BabyCentre as Mummhamed for boys and Olivia for girls, eyes are now turning to the new year, with expert predicting what names will be on the rise in 2025.
Pregnancy and parenting website BabyCentre and baby name expert and celebrity baby name consultant SJ Strum have forecasted that recent cultural influences will have an impact on baby name choices.
This year, the Cambridge Dictionary selected ‘Manifest’ as its Word of the Year for 2024 after it was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website – and it’s thought this might have an impact on baby names.
“This optimistic and empowered movement is inspiring lots of amazing names,” says Strum.
“I see this trend growing and in 2025, parents will be picking names that bring this spirit of positive thinking, plus hope, dreams and visions of a wonderful future together for their baby in their name choices.”
Popular names already in keeping with the ‘manifest’ theme include Mila (miracles), Evelyn (wished for), and Bodhi (enlightenment). And Strum predicts that Nova, Everest, and Amara could prove popular in 2025.
The baby naming expert also predicts a rise in nature-inspired names, such as Willow, Daisy, and Arlo. Highlighting that there’s been something of a ‘nature renaissance’ recently. She explained: “This nature renaissance isn’t just about returning to our roots; it’s about planting new ones for the future too.
“Our commitment to sustainability and celebration of the beauty in the natural world means that nature-inspired names are flourishing. Keep an eye on other earthy classics names such as Cedar, meaning, grounded and strong, with a nod to majestic forests, and Rivera – combining nature and sophistication.”
Pinterest predicts recently highlighted the huge rise in Castlecore, marking the medieval movement in Britain as a major aesthetic, and Strum suggests this trend could be seen with baby names too, pointing out that Maeve (she who rules), Louie (famed warrior), and Myles (solider) have all risen in popularity over the last couple of years.
Suggesting that the ‘castlecore’ trend could continue, Strum said: “Castlecore-inspired names transport us to a world of chivalry and fantasy, allowing parents to weave a sense of wonder into their children’s identities.
“The romantic aesthetic of Castlecore, with its medieval-inspired charm and fairy-tale allure, is set to influence a wave of regal and whimsical baby names in the near-future.
“Other instinctive names yet to hit the top 100 include Eowyn (bravery and heroism) and Percival – Rich with Arthurian romance.”
Baby name predictions for 2025
Manifest-inspired girl’s names
- Mila – Miracles
- Arabelle – Invokable
- Ottilie – Riches
- Evelyn – Wished For
- Thea – Divine Gift
- Ophelia – To help or aid
Manifest-inspired boy’s names
- Jude – Thankful
- Ezra – Helper
- Ronnie – Advise
- Felix – Lucky
- Bodhi – Enlightenment
Nature-inspired girl’s names
- Margot – meaning pearl
- Willow – Willow Tree
- Daisy – Flower
- Olive – Olive Tree
Nature-inspired boy’s names
- Oakley – Oak Tree Woods
- Arlo – Hill
- Brody – Muddle Place
- Jasper – Precious Stone
- Stanley – Stone Clearing
Castlecore-inspired girl’s names
- Delilah – Delicate or Weaken
- Maeve – She who rules
- Orla – Golden Princess
- Lyla – Night Beauty
- Clara – Clear and Bright
Castlecore-inspired boy’s currently names
- Rory – Red King
- Albie – Noble/Bright
- Louie – Famed Warrior
- Myles – Soldier
- Chester – Fortress
- Ruper – Fame and Glory
